SRAM’S GX-LABELLED cranks offer great all-round performance at an affordable price.
The hollow-forged arms are plenty stiff and can handle a battering without obviously suffering. The three-bolt splined crank mount makes it easy to swap between single or multi-ring spiders or direct-mount rings. The X-SYNC chainring teeth still set the standard for quiet-running security, and steel versions are now available aftermarket for high mileage/foul weather use. The arms last much better cosmetically than Shimano’s rival XT cranks too, though protective tape is still wise. There’s a 30mm axle version (270$) to increase stiffness and lose 14g, or you can get the same spider, direct ring and axle options with the solid-forged GX-1000 cranks for just 142$.
WEIGHT: 685g
ARMS: 170, 175mm
Price 232$