Chainsets

MTB cranksets and bottom brackets

Quite simply, the crankset is essential if your bike is to work correctly. It’s vital to choose the right type of crankset for your bike from the many different types, sizes, and technologies on the market. You need to take several parameters into account when ordering so as not to order the wrong item. You need to check the compatibility of the crankset with the bottom bracket and also that of their compatibility with the transmission (chain and chain rings). At Probikeshop, we stock a wide range of MTB cranksets from well-known brands such as Sram, Shimano, Funn, Truvativ and many more.

Characteristics of the crankset

There are several parameters that need to be considered when ordering a new crankset. Firstly, the mounting method and width. This is governed by the size and type of bottom bracket found on the bike or for which the bike has been designed, as it is the bottom bracket that allows the crankset to rotate while remaining mounted on the frame. The crankset axle is housed inside the bottom bracket. Today there are many different bottom bracket standards and crankset widths available. We recommend that you check your bike’s technical specs to identify the correct size of bottom bracket to match the width of the bottom bracket shell on the frame. Then there are the chainrings, that are dependent upon the groupset (chain, derailleur and cassette) plus the number of speeds as groupsets are designed for bikes that themselves have been designed for a specific number of chain rings (1,2 or 3) despite current trends towards the single chain ring. As for colour, most chain rings are black.

Which crankset for my type of cycling?

The crankset choice will be largely dictated by your type of cycling. Firstly, you need to take into account the crank length, which is largely dictated by your body shape and most importantly by your leg length. If you have long legs, we recommend longer cranks as they will offer you a fluid and uncheckered pedal stroke with an excellent leg extension without having to raise the saddle. Though you should be careful as long cranks can contact the ground, for example in tight corners and very uneven terrain. Next the type of material used, alloy or carbon, this choice will be largely governed by parameters such as weight and stiffness, or your budget.