2025 Mountain Crank Test

Posted on 30 August 2025
By G. Keller, J. Woznick
Posted in Tech, Testing & Reviews

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.

Mountain Bike Crank Stiffness Testing

After a two-year break, we are back with a new crank test.

Mountain bike cranksets prepared for Fair Wheel Bikes stiffness testing — Twenty-four mountain bike cranksets selected for Fair Wheel Bikes stiffness and weight testing.

This time we put some of the most popular mountain bike cranks in the test jig to see how they compared. We contacted a wide range of manufacturers and assembled a strong group of 24 cranks. Some brands chose not to participate and others did not respond, so this is not a comprehensive list of every available crank. We plan to continue adding cranks and publish updated results in the future.

To keep the comparison consistent, every crank tested measured 170 mm in length and used a 32-tooth chainring. Each result includes drive-side and non-drive-side deflection, average deflection, component and total system weight, stiffness-to-weight ratio, price, available lengths and Q-factor.

Mountain Bike Crank Test Results

Hover over a card to reveal the centered crank photo. On phones, the cards stack vertically and retain the complete test data.

Appleman 2 x R

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.99 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.27 mm
Average Deflection: 9.13 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 565.7 g
Chainring Weight: 81.9 g
Total Weight: 647.6 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.7
Price (USD): $600.00
Sizes: 100–175 mm
Q-Factor: 168 mm

Cane Creek eeWing

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.84 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.07 mm
Average Deflection: 7.96 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 412 g
Chainring Weight: 68.3 g
Total Weight: 480.3 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.62
Price (USD): $1270.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 176 mm

EliLee X310

Drive-Side Deflection: 8.9 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 11.8 mm
Average Deflection: 10.36 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 316.1 g
Chainring Weight: 53.7 g
Total Weight: 369.8 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.61
Price (USD): $500.00
Sizes: 155–172.5 mm
Q-Factor: 162 mm

Ethirteen Helix Carbon

Drive-Side Deflection: 8.17 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 11.07 mm
Average Deflection: 9.63 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 353.9 g
Chainring Weight: 47.9 g
Total Weight: 401.8 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.59
Price (USD): $460.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 171 mm

Ethirteen Helix Core

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.11 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.18 mm
Average Deflection: 8.65 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 584.2 g
Chainring Weight: 52.5 g
Total Weight: 636.7 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.82
Price (USD): $213.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 171 mm

Ethirteen Helix R

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.16 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 11.65 mm
Average Deflection: 9.41 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 546.5 g
Chainring Weight: 55.5 g
Total Weight: 599 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.77
Price (USD): $353.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 170 mm

FSA Gradient

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.65 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.02 mm
Average Deflection: 7.84 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 568.6 g
Chainring Weight: 74.7 g
Total Weight: 643.3 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.98
Price (USD): $400.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 177 mm

Garbaruk XC

Drive-Side Deflection: 8.1 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.42 mm
Average Deflection: 9.26 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 402.2 g
Chainring Weight: 52.7 g
Total Weight: 454.9 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.37
Price (USD): $560.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 170 mm

Grigio Carbonio

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.37 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.69 mm
Average Deflection: 9.01 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 266.6 g
Chainring Weight: 37.8 g
Total Weight: 304.4 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 3.64
Price (USD): $1925.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 174 mm

Praxis Cadet HD

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.01 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.26 mm
Average Deflection: 8.13 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 647.5 g
Chainring Weight: 57.4 g
Total Weight: 704.9 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.74
Price (USD): $240.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 172 mm

Praxis Girder

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.17 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.85 mm
Average Deflection: 8.51 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 519.7 g
Chainring Weight: 57.4 g
Total Weight: 577.1 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.04
Price (USD): $380.00
Sizes: 165–170 mm
Q-Factor: 178 mm

Praxis Girder HD

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.06 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.71 mm
Average Deflection: 8.39 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 524.8 g
Chainring Weight: 57.4 g
Total Weight: 582.2 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.05
Price (USD): $380.00
Sizes: 165–170 mm
Q-Factor: 178 mm

Praxis Lyft

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.17 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.25 mm
Average Deflection: 8.71 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 388 g
Chainring Weight: 57.4 g
Total Weight: 445.4 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.58
Price (USD): $490.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 177 mm

QO Rocks

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.61 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.79 mm
Average Deflection: 8.2 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 379.3 g
Chainring Weight: 67.4 g
Total Weight: 446.7 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.59
Price (USD): $725.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 174 mm

Race Face ERA

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.97 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.1 mm
Average Deflection: 8.52 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 419 g
Chainring Weight: 66.7 g
Total Weight: 485.7 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.42
Price (USD): $574.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 176 mm

Race Face Turbine

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.96 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.3 mm
Average Deflection: 8.62 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 524.6 g
Chainring Weight: 66.7 g
Total Weight: 591.3 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.96
Price (USD): $254.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 176 mm

Rotor Kapic

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.43 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.75 mm
Average Deflection: 8.59 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 460.8 g
Chainring Weight: 67.6 g
Total Weight: 528.4 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.2
Price (USD): $425.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 169.5 mm

Rotor Kapic Carbon

Drive-Side Deflection: 7.36 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.89 mm
Average Deflection: 8.63 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 372.2 g
Chainring Weight: 67.6 g
Total Weight: 439.8 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.63
Price (USD): $550.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 169 mm

Rotor RHawk

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.86 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.3 mm
Average Deflection: 8.09 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 617.1 g
Chainring Weight: 67.6 g
Total Weight: 684.7 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.81
Price (USD): $450.00
Sizes: 170–175 mm
Q-Factor: 164 mm

Shimano XT 8100

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.92 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 10.02 mm
Average Deflection: 8.47 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 518.1 g
Chainring Weight: 114.4 g
Total Weight: 632.5 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 1.87
Price (USD): $220.00
Sizes: 165–175 mm
Q-Factor: 172 mm

Shimano XTR 9220

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.85 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.7 mm
Average Deflection: 8.28 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 527 g
Chainring Weight: 63.6 g
Total Weight: 590.6 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.05
Price (USD): $460.00
Sizes: 160–175 mm
Q-Factor: 176 mm

Sturdy (W/Ti Ring)

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.3 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 8.25 mm
Average Deflection: 7.28 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 536.2 g
Chainring Weight: 123.8 g
Total Weight: 660 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.08
Price (USD): $1985.00
Sizes: 150–175 mm
Q-Factor: 168 mm

TRP EVO 12

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.93 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.35 mm
Average Deflection: 8.14 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 457.9 g
Chainring Weight: 81.9 g
Total Weight: 539.8 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.28
Price (USD): $425.00
Sizes: 165–170 mm
Q-Factor: 179 mm

White Industries M30

Drive-Side Deflection: 6.83 mm
Non-Drive-Side Deflection: 9.17 mm
Average Deflection: 8 mm
Arm/Spindle Weight: 547.3 g
Chainring Weight: 66.3 g
Total Weight: 613.6 g
Stiffness-to-Weight: 2.04
Price (USD): $500.00
Sizes: 165–180 mm
Q-Factor: 176 mm

Understanding the Results

Mountain bike cranks included in the Fair Wheel Bikes stiffness test — The mountain bike crank test compares deflection, system weight, stiffness-to-weight ratio, available lengths and Q-factor.

For a more detailed breakdown of the testing method, calculations and terminology, see our road bike crank stiffness test. Pinkbike also published a summary of the 24-crank test findings.

There is no single winner because riders need different things from a crank. One rider may prioritize minimum weight, while another needs maximum durability. Those goals sit at opposite ends of the spectrum, and the strongest choice depends on the rider, bike and intended use.

Watch the Complete Crank Test

Watch the Fair Wheel Bikes video for a crank-by-crank discussion, a closer look at the test fixture and a walkthrough of the complete testing process.

Visit Fair Wheel Bikes on YouTube

Until next time, happy riding!