City bike crankset Black Friday: discounted prices

Which crankset for which city bike?

It all depends on what's at the back. A hub with integrated gears, a single-speed bike, or a fixed gear only needs one chainring: that's the role of the Alfine FC-S501 from Shimano or the Mygal Messenger from Stronglight, with 46 teeth and 170 mm. A hybrid bike with a derailleur often keeps two chainrings, like the Altus FC-MT210 with 46-30 teeth for 9 speeds, available with a chain guard. Between the two, the Cues FC-U6000-1 from Shimano offers a single chainring that accepts a 9, 10, or 11-speed chain.

Three checks before making an offer

• The speeds: the mention 9V, 10V or 9/10/11V in the label must match your chain and cassette.
• The axle: a square axle crankset mounts on a bottom bracket that has the axle, a Hollowtech II or DUB crankset has its own axle and expects the corresponding bottom bracket, often sold separately.
• The chain: some labels indicate its width, 2.38 for a 3/32 inch chain, typical of derailleur systems, or 1/8 inch for the wider single-speed chain.

Discounted cranksets: how to compare two listings

The same model comes in several tooth counts and lengths: the Altus FC-MT210 is available in 46-30 or 36-22 teeth, the FC-M6200 from Shimano in 30 or 32 teeth, and crank lengths range from 165 to 175 mm. A discount is only valid for identical configurations, including tooth count and length, then equal content: chain guard, bottom bracket, sometimes chainrings. The striked-through price of a crankset delivered with its bottom bracket should not be compared to that of a crankset alone. A crankset with riveted chainrings is replaced entirely, while a crankset with bolted chainrings allows you to replace just the worn chainring.

Pedals and power sensors: the rest of the page

The listing also includes pedals, flat, automatic, or hybrid, and power sensors designed for road bikes and MTBs. In the city, a flat pedal with a non-slip surface or a two-sided pedal, automatic on one side and flat on the other, allows you to ride in city shoes as well as with cleated shoes.

A new crankset often calls for a new chain and adjustments: check out the city chains in Black Friday, the chainrings from the event, useful when only the teeth are worn, and the cassettes in Black Friday. The cables and gear housings are available year-round in the urban cables and housings, and all urban transmission in Black Friday is gathered on one page. Once the event is over, check out the clearance and the new arrivals.

What crankset and pedal brands are available during the event?

Shimano covers the city and hybrid bikes with the Alfine FC-S501 for integrated gear hubs, the Cues FC-U6000-1, and the Altus FC-MT210, a double riveted chainring on a 24 mm Hollowtech II axle.

Sram houses a Quarq power sensor in the DUB axle of its Rival AXS cranksets that measures the power of the left leg and derives the total from it.

Stronglight targets its Mygal Messenger, a single chainring of 46 teeth in 170 mm, for single-speed and fixed-gear bikes used by urban cyclists.

crankbrothers offers the Double Shot, a hybrid pedal with an automatic mechanism on one side and a flat platform on the other, in composite or aluminium body depending on the version.

Frequently asked questions

Is Black Friday on the same day everywhere?

It falls on the Friday following Thanksgiving, an American holiday, just before the festive season. Each retailer then sets the length of its event: at Vélo-Store, the Black Friday discounts, including cranksets, last throughout November.

How can you find out how many speeds a crankset accepts?

The label usually indicates it, with 9V, 10V or 9/10/11V. On your bike, count the cogs of the cassette: a crankset meant for a wider or narrower chain won't shift well and will wear out the chain.

What crank arm length should I choose?

Take the one from the original crank, engraved on the back of the arm. Most city bikes and hybrid bikes come with 170 or 175 mm; a shorter crank is suitable for smaller sizes.

Can you switch from a double chainring to a single chainring?

Yes, by removing the front derailleur and its control. You'll then need an alternating-tooth chainring that keeps the chain in place and a cassette that is sufficiently spaced to maintain easy gears when climbing.

How to spot a good deal on a crankset?

Compare the same model in the same configuration: speeds, tooth counts, crank length, axle, bottom bracket included or not. A crankset that does not match your bottom bracket or chain will end up costing more in adaptation parts than it saves.