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I've yet to try anything shorter than 175MM (I know, most unfashionable) but am short-crank curious.
I have noticed pedal strikes more frequent recently, and that when I try to sprint i'm changing my posture almost to try and put weight forward and keep the pedals higher (that's my interpretation anyway) which then limits my hip flexors and hinders the sprint.
So i thought I might try some 165mm cranks... to keep using my recently purchased Shimano direct mount chainring looks like I can get some XT at an acceptable price.
Any reason to look at any other brands? (Does anyone else even use the Shimano DM?)
XT or SLX I would say within the Shimano family to get 165mm.
Can save a little going SLX (as I did), with effectively zero difference in weight.
Probably not worth looking at other brands as you'll likely be driven to a bottom bracket change for the larger axle diameter found on basically everything non-shimano.
Yeah, i'm kinda locked into the 24mm bottom bracket - it's on all the bikes in the shed. Although the chainring is probably more costly than the BB so that's as much an issue.
The only other options that I found was raceface Aefect or Aefect R. I want to keep using 24mm bb so I have the Aefect R as they're the stronger of the two and I didn't fancy Shimano cranks when I built my bike
Might switch to XT if I ever kill these because they come in black
Not really.Any reason to look at any other brands?
I've got half a dozen pairs of shimano 165s now, they just work.
SLX have been faultless on 3 of my bikes for a few years now.
Staying with 24mm axle & BB is a very good thing.
Only slight downside is the limited availability of cheap chainrings.
Also - you know you'll lose a bit of leverage and it'll feel slightly harder to climb on your easiest gear? Just in case you're right on the edge at the mo.
I went for SLX bikeparts.co.uk had the best price at the time. If you’ve already got Shimano rings, it makes sense to stick with Shimano IMO
If you're locked into the BB and chainring, no need to change. If you did want/need to change then my Unite cranks have been absolutely faultless. Bought cheap in an Easter sale and apart from the main crank bolt coming loose on the first ride they've not needed to be touched in over a year of riding.
Leverage has been what's put me off in the past...but I've gone from 42 to 50 teeth at the rear and don't seem to be much different. Hills still hurt.
Shimano chainrings seem to last a really long time.
It might be worth considering a smaller chainring to go with your -10mm shorter crank.
I ran 2 x SLX 165mm cranks and then swapped one for a set of XT ones because they look nicer, black rather than bluey grey. Functionally I can't tell any difference whatsoever between XT and SLX. Pedalling feels spinnier and more fluid, slightly more ground clearance, made my very slightly too long dropper feel just right too. I run the same chainring as I did with the 175mm cranks I had before. I really like them.
Other than looks (and SLX are hardly ugly, dull maybe) Its impossible to argue against slx cranks (assuming they do your size,) cost vs weight vs function nothing else really comes close
Agree with everyone above ( apart from the obvious weirdo who buys kit based on colour 🤣)
SLX is the way to go.
I bought some XTRs a few years back but when I saw the insanely fragile mounting mechanism I sold them on and just bought SLX. The weight difference was miniscule
I grudgingly have to admit that 165mm cranks are at least one benefit of the prevalence of ebikes. 5 years ago they were rarely discounted, but these days loads of shops sell stubby cranksets
165 road cranks are largely vapourware due to their popularity this season with the TT crowd. I have Force 165s. Track (144 BCD) are available for 1x with a traditional BB, but good luck with MTB sized chainrings.
Hard to get cheap 165mm SLX cranks as well … everyone has got wise! I ended up with 170mm at less than half the price.
At the other end of the market… I wonder what these Atherton cranks will be like …?
apart from the obvious weirdo who buys kit based on colour
SLX are now black … probably because the weirdo is not alone. That blue was lovely though… if anyone knows of a blue 165mm set for sale unused, please let me know.
Does anyone what size security torx I need to tighten the chainring bolts on an SLX 12 speed? One of the eight has come loose! (Silly design IMO but most affordable 165mm 24mm axle cranks at the time).
Aeffect is a good 24mm crank. But lets be honest the answer is usually Shimano, especially once they got with the program on direct mount rings
Those chainring bolts aren't supposed to come off. Mate had the whole thing warranties when he contacted Shimano to get replacements.
I've been using Raceface Aeffect on my HT for about 5 years. It was a toss up between those and SLX. They're basically the same weight and price. I only went for RF because I couldn't find SLX at the time.
They've been really good. Running on an XT BB. Plenty of aftermarket option for the Cinch direct mount chainrings.
Fitting/ removing the cranks is a bit more faff than Shimano. You need a crank puller to get them off although technically, I think it's supposed to be self extracting by not removing the 10mm hex cap/bolt. They need a fairly stout 61nM of torque to fit the the cranks which compared to just nipping up the shimano end cap seems excessive. They need an ISIS bb tool for the lock ring on the chainring.
If they broke tomorrow, I'd probably my buy SLX unless there was a blinding deal on XT. No reason other than to try something different and because most things shimano are fairly decent.
Unless things have changed I'd avoid the RF Aeffect cranks - the last set I tried (although in 170) used the same length crank as the 175 but just had the hole for the pedal drilled further up.
SLX with a Unite chainring in the colour of your choice (I have silver) & a RISK direct mount tool to fit the chainring.
Agree with everyone above ( apart from the obvious weirdo who buys kit based on colour
What can I say, the XT shiny black just looked more right with my Supernova Orange FlareMax, which is THE BEST BIKE COLOUR EVER 🙂
I eBayed the SLX cranks for a half-decent price, so the XTs only effectively cost me 25 quid or so. The SLX looked fine too. Just about the only downside for me was having to buy a new socket-type tool to swap chainrings, very pretty, green ano thing. I chose it solely for the colour 🤣
“Those chainring bolts aren't supposed to come off.”
I know and they haven’t - just one has partially undone and the cranks are over three years old so I can’t see myself getting any help from Shimano.
Unless things have changed I'd avoid the RF Aeffect cranks - the last set I tried (although in 170) used the same length crank as the 175 but just had the hole for the pedal drilled further up.
Mine are like that and tbh I was a bit peeved about it but I don't think it really matters much, pedal and foot position is where the millimetres really count, the crankarms are so much further in and the pedals protrude a little past the holes anyway. I've got some dings on the ends of all my cranks mind you but I can't think of ever having a problematic "crank strike" as opposted to pedals and feet.
Super happy with my Unite Components 160mm and my Shimano 165mm cranks. Now wishing I had of bought the 155mm Unites. 😓
I can confirm that Aeffect 165mm cranks have the hole in the right spot with no excess arm these days.
If anyone has the spindle for 24mm 73mm Aeffects please let me know. I'd like to use my old fatbike ones on a non fatbike.
I hope RF cranks are better made than they used to be. My old Deus XC X-Type cranks were made of an alloy that had a consistency of cheese. Had to fashion a shim from a coke can halfway through a big Lakes ride as the splines were starting to shear off.
I have run a set on the fatbike for the last 5 years and have just tested my new set with a 200 miler through the North York Moors, they seem pretty fit and forget and a great option from a weight point of view.
@mugboo, are you sure the spindles are swappable on those? I was pretty sure my fatbike aeffects aren't cinch spindles.
If the new XT comes out soon and the cranks come in a 160mm option like the new XTR there'll probably be a few 165mm cranks put in the classifieds especially if a new SLX is released alongside XT.
DMR Axe are great. Often in sales too IIRC.
DMR Axe are great. Often in sales too IIRC
I’ve looked at them before, don’t they require a proprietary BB and tool to fit the BB? I think that is what put me off
My mate has the tool and I needed a new BB so I bought some for my HT. On offer so similar price to XT cranks from memory. They did need a good tighten up after one ride, but I really like them. Mainly as they are silver so not going to show the scuffing like Shimano cranks. They also feel v. stiff.
Looking at them now, I have worn most of the "DMR" logo off but otherwise they look very good after a winter of slop. Use a SRAM fitting, that's a works oval on there.
Looking at them now, I have worn most of the "DMR" logo off but otherwise they look very good after a winter of slop. Use a SRAM fitting, that's a works oval on there.
they do look really good