2025 Mountain Crank Test

2025 Mountain Crank Test

After months of collecting really cool mountain bike cranks we decided it was time to treat all of you to one of our famous 'crank stiffness tests' where we put a bunch of cranks in our jig, test them, crunch the numbers and leave the results so that you can choose your next dream crankset.

After a 2 year break we are back with a new crank test. 

 

 

This time we decided to throw some of the most popular mountain cranks in the test jig, and see what the results are. We reached out to many different manufacturers and ended up with a great group of 24 cranks! Some chose not to be a part of the test, some never got back to us at all, and although this is not a totally comprehensive collection of what is out there, we do plan on continuing to get more cranks to test, and releasing updated test lists in the future.

To bring consistency to the test all cranks tested were 170mm in length and we used 32 tooth chainrings on all of them as well. For each crank we will you give you all the important specs; deflection for both sides, as well as average deflection, the weight for each part of the system as well as total system weight, stiffness to weight, price, which lengths are available and Q-factor. 

Enjoy the results!

 

Appleman 2 x R

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.99mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.27mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 9.13mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 565.7g
  • - Chainring Weight: 81.9g
  • - Total Weight: 647.6g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.7
  • - Price In USD: $600.00
  • - Sizes: 100mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 168mm

Cane Creek eeWing

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.84mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.07mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 7.96mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 412g
  • - Chainring Weight: 68.3g
  • - Total Weight: 480.3g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.62
  • - Price In USD: $1270.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 176mm

EliLee X310

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 8.9mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 11.8mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 10.36mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 316.1g
  • - Chainring Weight: 53.7g
  • - Total Weight: 369.8g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.61
  • - Price In USD: $500.00
  • - Sizes: 155mm-172.5mm
  • - Q-Factor: 162mm

Ethirteen Helix Carbon

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 8.17mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 11.07mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 9.63mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 353.9g
  • - Chainring Weight: 47.9g
  • - Total Weight: 401.8g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.59
  • - Price In USD: $460.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 171

Ethirteen Helix Core

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.11mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.18mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.65mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 584.2g
  • - Chainring Weight: 52.5g
  • - Total Weight; 636.7g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.82
  • - Price In USD: $213.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 171mm

Ethirteen Helix R

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.16mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 11.65mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 9.41mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 546.5g
  • - Chairning Weight: 55.5g
  • - Total Weight: 599g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.77
  • - Price In USD: $353.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 170mm

FSA Gradient

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.65mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.02mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 7.84mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 568.6g
  • - Chainring Weight: 74.7g
  • - Total Weight: 643.3g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.98
  • - Price In USD: $400.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 177mm

Garbaruk XC

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 8.1mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.42mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 9.26mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 402.2g
  • - Chainring Weight: 52.7g
  • - Total Weight: 454.9g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.37
  • - Price In USD: $560.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 170mm

Grigio Carbonio

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.37mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.69mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 9.01mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 266.6g
  • - Chainring Weight: 37.8g
  • - Total Weight: 304.4g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 3.64
  • - Price In USD: $1925.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 174mm

Praxis Cadet HD

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.01mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.26mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.13mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 647.5g
  • - Chainring Weight: 57.4g
  • - Total Weight: 704.9g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.74
  • - Price In USD: 240.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 172mm

Praxis Girder

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.17mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.85mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.51mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 519.7g
  • - Chainring Weight: 57.4g
  • - Total Weight: 577.1g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.04
  • - Price In USD: $380.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-170mm
  • - Q-Factor: 178mm

Praxis Girder HD

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.06mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.71mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.39mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 524.8g
  • - Chainring Weight: 57.4g
  • - Total Weight: 582.2g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.05
  • - Price In USD: $380.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-170mm
  • - Q-Factor: 178mm

Praxis Lyft

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.17mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.25mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.71mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 388g
  • - Chainring Weight: 57.4g
  • - Total Weight: 445.4g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.58
  • - Price In USD: $490.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 177mm

QO Rocks

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.61mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.79mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.2mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 379.3g
  • - Chainring Weight: 67.4g
  • - Total Weight: 446.7g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.59
  • - Price In USD: $725.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 174mm

Race Face ERA

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.97mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.1mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.52mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 419g
  • - Chainring Weight: 66.7g
  • - Total Weight: 485.7g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.42
  • - Price In USD: $574.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 176mm

Race Face Turbine

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.96mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.3mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.62mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 524.6g
  • - Chainring Weight: 66.7g
  • - Total Weight: 591.3g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.96
  • - Price In USD: $254.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 176mm

Rotor Kapic

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.43mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.75mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.59mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 460.8g
  • - Chainring Weight: 67.6g
  • - Total Weight: 528.4g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.2
  • - Price In USD: $425.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 169.5mm

Rotor Kapic Carbon

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 7.36mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.89mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.63mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 372.2g
  • - Chainring Weight: 67.6g
  • - Total Weight: 439.8g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.63
  • - Price In USD: $550.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 169mm

Rotor RHawk

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.86mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.3mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.09mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 617.1g
  • - Chainring Weight: 67.6g
  • - Total Weight: 684.7g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.81
  • - Price In USD: $450.00
  • - Sizes: 170mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 164mm

Shimano XT 8100

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.92mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 10.02mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.47mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 518.1g
  • - Chainring Weight: 114.4g
  • - Total Weight: 632.5g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 1.87
  • - Price In USD: $220.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 172mm

Shimano XTR 9220

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.85mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.7mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.28mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 527g
  • - Chainring Weight: 63.6g
  • - Total Weight: 590.6g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.05
  • - Price In USD: $460.00
  • - Sizes: 160mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 176mm

Sturdy (W/Ti Ring)

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.3mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 8.25mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 7.28mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 536.2g
  • - Chainring Weight: 123.8g
  • - Total Weight: 660g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.08
  • - Price In USD: $1985.00
  • - Sizes: 150mm-175mm
  • - Q-Factor: 168mm

TRP EVO 12

Shimano Image 1
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.93mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.35mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8.14mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 457.9g
  • - Chainring Weight: 81.9g
  • - Total Weight: 539.8g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.28
  • - Price In USD: $425.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-170mm
  • - Q-Factor: 179mm

White Industries M30

Shimano Image 2
  • - D.S Deflection: 6.83mm
  • - N.D Deflection: 9.17mm
  • - Avg. Deflection: 8mm
  • - Arm/Spindle Weight: 547.3g
  • - Chainring Weight: 66.3g
  • - Total Weight: 613.6g
  • - Stiffness To Weight: 2.04
  • - Price In USD: $500.00
  • - Sizes: 165mm-180mm
  • - Q-Factor: 176mm

 

There you have it! 

 

 

 

If you would like a more detailed brakedown of the testing method, calculatons or explanations for the test click here to take a look at our last crank test blog where we looked a little deeper into those topics, or go to our YouTube channel where you can see the video that we just released where we go over this crank test in detail. You can also take a peak at the writeup that Pinkbike just released on our test findings.

At the end of the day there is not just one 'winner', because everyone needs something different out of a crank....some of us might need something as lite as possible, while others might need something as bomb proof as possible, and those will be opposite ends of the spectrum and when you look at it that way, this is just a list of 24 winners!

Click on the thumbnail below to watch us talk about the cranks one by one, show you our test jig, and walk you through the test itself.

 

 

 

Until next time, happy riding!