Bike crank Black Friday: discounts on road and MTB

Bicycle crankset on Black Friday: four models to note

Before comparing, check the type of crankshaft on your bike - is it a 24 mm Shimano, DUB, 30 mm, or square tapered? Also look at the bottom bracket; the number of speeds on the cassette; the teeth count of the chainrings, which is etched on their outer side; and the length of the cranks, marked on the back of the arm. If only the bottom bracket or one chainring is worn out, there’s no need to change the entire crankset: bottom brackets and chainrings on Black Friday are sold separately.

Teeth count: find your gearing

While riding, the compact 50-34 makes climbing easier, the semi-compact 52-36 offers a big chainring for speed; gravel cranksets go down to 46-33 or 48-35, or even a single chainring of 40 to 46 teeth. The triple chainring, like a 48-38-28 for touring, is useful when carrying heavy luggage. In mountain biking, a single chainring of 30 to 34 teeth pairs with a wide-ranging cassette. A larger gap between chainrings can exceed the capacity of the front derailleur.

Chainline: Boost, Wide, and T-Type

The chainline measures the distance between the frame plane and the chainring; it should align with the cassette. On a Boost rear hub mountain bike with a 148 mm spacing, the crankset specifies this in its name. At Sram, T-Type cranksets have the CL55 designation, indicating a 55 mm chainline, and Wide versions space the chainrings further apart to accommodate wide tires. Lastly, downhill cranksets exist for 83 mm wide bottom brackets, marked DUB83.

Crankset on discount: compare with identical setup

The same model is available in several lengths and tooth counts, and the discount doesn't always apply to every variation: check the crossed-out price and the displayed price for the exact version you need, like 172.5 mm in 50-34 for instance, not for a nearby version. Then, see what's included: "No BB" or "without cups" indicates a crankset delivered without a bottom bracket, and some versions include a power measurement, like the cranksets listed among the power sensors in the operation. For the rest of the year, the bicycle cranksets page displays every standard; for a city bike, check out the city cranksets on Black Friday, and the new arrivals for recently added references.

Which crankset brands?

Shimano offers the Cues FC-U6000, compatible with 9, 10, and 11-speed drivetrains, alongside the Deore XT and SLX in 12-speed and the Acera or Tourney in triple chainring.

Stronglight extends its Impact crankset to tandem and chain guard versions, for single-speed or hub-geared bicycles.

FSA offers its SL-K Light and K-Force in modular versions with direct mount chainrings, while keeping the Tempo as a square-tapered JIS crankset.

Sram ranges from Rival to the Red AXS for road, and from the Eagle 90 to XX T-Type for mountain biking, with Powermeter versions that include power measurement.

Campagnolo features the Ekar, its gravel drivetrain, and the Super Record WRL, with a version that measures power.

Praxis pairs its M30 axle with the Alba-GR, designed for gravel, and offers carbon cranksets Girder and Doon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a crankset delivered with its bottom bracket?

Not always. Shimano sells most of its cranksets without a bottom bracket, Sram and Campagnolo do depending on the versions; the title often specifies this. Make sure to get the suitable bottom bracket for your frame if the old one is worn out or has a different axle diameter.

Does the crankset need to have the same number of speeds as the cassette?

Yes, generally speaking: the spacing and profile of the teeth on the chainrings are designed for a specific chain width. Some cranksets accept multiple drivetrains, which is indicated in the title, such as 9-10V or 9/10/11V.

How do you remove a Shimano Hollowtech II crankset?

On the left side, unscrew the two fastening screws and the preload cap, then remove the arm. The axle, attached to the right crank, can then be removed from the right, sometimes with a few gentle taps using a plastic mallet.

How long do Black Friday discounts on cranksets last?

A whole month: Vélo-Store applies its Black Friday discounts on cranksets throughout November, whereas the event itself is linked to the Friday after Thanksgiving. Make the most of this time to note the axle type, tooth counts, and length of your current crankset.

Single chainring or double: which one to choose to replace the old one?

Stick with the same number of chainrings if you keep the drivetrain: switching to a single chainring generally requires a wider-ranging cassette, a compatible rear derailleur, and an alternating tooth chainring to hold the chain in place.