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Cheap square taper cranksets on Amazon, experience? (kids bike from 3x8 to 1x8)

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Daughter has a GT Aggressor Expert 27.5" as it seemed a decent price new at £250 and she would have outgrown a 26" bike in no time.

She's struggling with the front derailleur, so I was going to turn it into a 1x8 and simplify it. It's a 3x8 Shimano Tourney setup, but the front chainring is riveted together so that's a no go.

I've seen some £35 square taper cranksets on Amazon that come with a narrow/wide 30T or 32T

e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/BUCKLOS-Crankset-Mountain-Chainring-Shimano/dp/B08L98PCC1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=23WRPNMGHK3CM&keywords=170mm%2B8%2Bspeed%2Bcrankset&qid=1690665482&sprefix=170mm%2B8%2Bspeed%2Bcrankset%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&psc=1

Are these fit for purpose or is there any other older/2nd hand Shimano gear I should be looking for instead? Needs to be 170mm cranks.

Thanks


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 5:38 pm
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I used some of these HT2 copies a while ago on a ebike hardtail conversion and they have worked fine.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0B25396B6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 6:18 pm
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Why not just lock the front mech in the middle ring and be done? Sure it won't look as trendy but infinitely cheaper


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 6:24 pm
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If you stick a wanted ad on Retrobike someone will offer you a cheaper and better quality crank no worries. Just ad a narrow/wide chain ring and you'll be sorted.


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 6:26 pm
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They'll be fine, I've been running Jet Racing BMX  cranks on my lads CX / Road bike for a while, they're no more than about £40 a pair, when they're in stock


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 6:36 pm
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Thanks for replies.

GeForce Junky/Steve_B - It looks like they're all pretty much from the same factory then? Good to hear positive things.

Trail_rat, I did wonder about that, presumably just a case of adjusting the H and L screws? None of my bikes as an adult have had a front derailleur so wasn't sure if leaving it there would lead to chainline issues?

Side note was also going to take the opportunity to drop the remaining front to a 30T or 32T.

Chestrockwell - I'll have a look thanks. I know on my old Hardrock the crankset could be dismantled and I just stuck a narrow wide on that, but this Tourney thing is all riveted together sadly.


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 6:39 pm
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Just bought these for my 10 year olds bike.

https://www.sourcebmx.com/products/jet-bmx-square-taper-race-cranks

Bought a Raceface narrow wide chainring from Wiggle for less than £15.

I already had a Shimano bottom bracket.


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 9:41 pm
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Alternatively get a Deckas ring off eBay for less than that, they're bloody good too. The packaging is suspiciously like some posh brands 😉

 It looks like they’re all pretty much from the same factory then? Good to hear positive things.

Well the Jet Racing and the micj more expensive Kids Racing HUP ones seem to come from the same place


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 10:20 pm
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A review of the benefits of shorter cranks for adults below with some links to good quality cheap ones in the comments. Do you really need 170mm?

https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/hope-evo-155mm-crankset-review/


 
Posted : 30/07/2023 10:30 pm
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I also just bought the Jet Racing cranks and that Race face ring. Second the comment regarding length, my daughter is getting 140mm for her 24" setup, depending on age I'd be looking at 150 to 160mm.

As for riveted Tourneys, they'll be heavy as hell. Fling them to a bike charity and they'll at least get used.


 
Posted : 31/07/2023 12:50 am
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Can you use AliExpress and wait a touch?

Look for Cruzbikes mountainbike GXP cranks. They come in 155/160/165/170 lengths. Be perfect for a teenager. Just need a suitable BB, and GXP chainring to suit (3mm offset for boost, 6mm offset for 135-142mm rear.

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/13KgVN4v/Screenshot-2023-07-31-11-56-44-38-090d9ae461b065ca11c329abb9cd0d70.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/13KgVN4v/Screenshot-2023-07-31-11-56-44-38-090d9ae461b065ca11c329abb9cd0d70.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

They're gonna cost a bit more than here in China, but they're £17.75 here for the cranks. £6.53 for their own chainrings, and the BB is upto you.

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/MTJVy8qD/IMG20230731120147.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/MTJVy8qD/IMG20230731120147.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

I'm using a working VPN, because.....China....Deutschland server working. Here's the price in Euros for a full 165mm 6mm offset 34t set (€54.49)

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/fb8fmR8h/Screenshot-2023-07-31-12-05-57-02-40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/fb8fmR8h/Screenshot-2023-07-31-12-05-57-02-40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jp g"/> [/img][/url]


 
Posted : 31/07/2023 5:02 am
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Thanks all. Been a busy day of DIY, stupidly thought I'd attempt the changeover tonight while tired and I completely missed the little attachment fitted my crank puller (for Octalink, which was the last time I used it).

I've mashed the existing cranks further onto the arms and there's no shifting them, plus it's stripped the thread. They were headed for the parts bin anyway but I'm going to have to break out the angle grinder tomorrow I think.

Might take the opportunity to grab one of the Hollowtech 2 clone sets instead that GeForce Junky posted.

Re: crank arm length, it's a 27.5" wheel bike, interesting read though. Just trying to go like for like as she was OK on it crank wise before I started tinkering.


 
Posted : 02/08/2023 11:40 pm

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