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The most important MTB cranks & bottom brackets

BIKE Magazin

 · 14.07.2010

The most important MTB cranks & bottom bracketsPhoto: Unbekannt
The most important MTB cranks & bottom brackets
Lighter, wider, stiffer: Stiff hollow shafts à la Hollowtech II or BB30 have replaced the outdated square bottom bracket. We show you everything you need to know about MTB cranks.
CURB LENGTHS Small people, small frame: The crank length should also be adjusted. The crank length is measured from the centre of the bottom bracket axle to the centre of the pedal axle. The most common cranks are 175 mm cranks, followed by 170 mm cranks. Shimano offers high-quality crank systems, such as the XTR cranks, in 2.5 mm increments. Shorter or longer? There are many factors that influence the optimum length: Body size, stride length, preferences. If you can't manage with the standard cranks, you should do something about it. The following applies: tall (over 1.90 m) and sporty riders go for the longer cranks, short (under 1.70 m) and high cadence riders choose the shorter version. If you have knee problems, you should try shorter cranks, as this reduces the range of motion. Riders who like to pedal with high gears and a low cadence are better off with longer cranks, as this increases the distance travelled. After the changeover, you will activate unfamiliar muscle areas: so start slowly!
Photo: Daniel Simon


The complete crank guide with an overview of the various MTB crank systems can be found below as a PDF download.

Downloads:

Cranks, light and favourable (pdf)

Crank systems (pdf)

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