10 Best Bike Cranksets | June 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Bike Cranksets Buying Guide : What You Need To Know

*Our top pick for the best Bike Cranksets

Attributes Of High Quality Bike Cranksets

- The crankset should be made of lightweight and durable materials.
- The crankset should have a smooth, precise, and quiet operation.
- The crankset should be compatible with a wide range of bike types.
- The crankset should be easy to install and maintain.

How To Choose The Best Bike Cranksets

When it comes to choosing bike cranksets, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll want to decide what type of bike you have and what type of riding you'll be doing. There are three main types of bikes - road, mountain, and BMX - and each requires a different type of crankset. Road bikes typically use a standard crankset with two chainrings, while mountain bikes usually have a triple crankset with three chainrings. BMX bikes usually have a single or double crankset with one or two chainrings.

Once you've determined the type of bike you have and the type of riding you'll be doing, you can start narrowing down your choices. If you're looking for a lightweight crankset for racing or climbing, you'll want to choose one made from aluminum or carbon fiber. If you're looking for a durable crankset for downhill or freeride biking, you'll want to choose one made from steel or titanium. And if you're looking for a versatile crankset that can be used for both road and mountain biking, you'll want to choose one made from chromoly steel.

Once you've decided on the material, you'll need to choose the right size crankset for your bike. Most road bikes use a standard 52/42t or 53/39t crankset, while most mountain bikes use a smaller 48/36t or 46/34t crankset. BMX bikes typically use either a 44t or 48t crankset. You can usually find the size listed on the crank arm itself or in the bike's owner's manual.

Finally, you'll need to decide on the brand and model of crankset that best suits your needs. There are dozens of different brands and models of bike cranksets on the market, so it's important to do your research before making a purchase. Once you've found a few that meet your criteria, read online reviews from other cyclists to get an idea of which ones are the best quality and offer the best value for your money.

What To Avoid When Looking For The Best Bike Cranksets

When it comes to choosing the best bike cranksets, there are a few things you'll want to avoid in order to make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck. Here are four things to keep in mind when shopping for bike cranksets:

1. Avoid Cheap Materials

The first thing you'll want to avoid when choosing bike cranksets is opting for cheap materials. There are a lot of different materials that bike cranksets can be made from, but some of the most common include aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber.

Aluminum is the most common material used in bike cranksets because it's lightweight and relatively inexpensive. However, aluminum isn't as strong as steel or carbon fiber, so it's not ideal if you're looking for a durable option.

Steel is much stronger than aluminum but it's also heavier. Carbon fiber is the strongest and lightest option but it's also the most expensive. If you're on a budget, steel is a good middle-of-the-road option. But if you can afford it, carbon fiber is worth the investment.

2. Avoid Inferior Bearings

Another thing to avoid when choosing bike cranksets is opting for inferior bearings. Bearings are what allow the crank arms to rotate smoothly and they come in two different types: cartridge and cup-and-cone.

Cartridge bearings are sealed units that are pre-lubricated and require less maintenance than cup-and-cone bearings. Cup-and-cone bearings need to be periodically adjusted and greased but they offer a smoother rotation than cartridge bearings.

If you're looking for the best possible performance, opt for cranksets with cartridge bearings. But if you're on a budget, cup-and-cone bearings will get the job done. Just be prepared to do some occasional maintenance on them.

3. Avoid Crank Arms that are Too Long or Short

Another mistake people make when choosing bike cranksets is opting for crank arms that are either too long or too short. The length of your crank arms should be based on your height and riding style. For example, if you're tall, you'll need longer crank arms than someone who is shorter. And if you ride aggressively, you'll need shorter crank arms than someone who rides more casually. Use this chart as a general guide:

Height (in) Crank Length (mm) Riding Style

<60 165 – 170 Casual

60 – 63 170 – 175 Casual/Aggressive

64 – 66 175 – 180 Aggressive

67 – 69 180 – 185 Aggressive

>70 185 – 190 Aggressive

If you're unsure about what size to get, err on the side of caution and go with longer crank arms. You can always shorten them later but you can't make them longer once they've been cut down.

4. Avoid Single Chainrings

The final thing to avoid when choosing bike cranksets is opting for single chainrings instead of double or triple chainrings. Single chainrings are fine if you only ride on flat terrain but if you do any hills at all, you'll be better off with double or triple chainrings. Having more than one chainring gives you more gears to work with so you can find the perfect gear ratio for whatever terrain you're riding on.

Additional Details

As a result of our extensive research into the best Bike Cranksets, we discovered 1,000 products and condensed that list down to the top 10 products. Using our state-of-the-art AI powered system, we've collected and anayzed 1,951 customer reviews, compared 96 product features, and cross-examined 210 product specifications. From this data, we've discovered that most customers purchase Bike Cranksets that costs between $37.99 and $69.94, and have an average customer rating of 87%.