Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Recommend budget bottom bracket and crankset for my 1x build.

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
B

BenFenner

· Oh; "biker"—I'm an idiot.
Joined
·
114 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
I'm building up a Surly Troll from a bare frame and fork.
( Frame/fork purchase thread here: https://forums.mtbr.com/26er-bikes/help-me-find-frame-fork-26-rigid-build-1086078.html )

Image


I have two main specs/desires:
73mm wide BSA (threaded) bottom bracket shell.
Direct mount chainring (32-tooth, narrow-wide).

Given those specs, and a moderate budget, what would you recommend?
Would you go with a 24mm spindle, or try for 30mm?

I'm 99% sure I'll be going non-boost, if that matters.

I'm leaning toward this setup, but I'm open to ideas. I'm also not 100% sure the bottom bracket is correct fitment:
$27 | Race Face 68/73mm (threaded) bottom bracket for 24mm spindle: https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-Race-XC-External-BB
$120 | Race Face Aeffect Cinch Cranks (170mm throw, 24mm spindle): https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-Aeffect-Cinch-Cranks-4
$14 | Race Face Cinch Steel Chainring (32-tooth, narrow-wide): https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-Cinch-Steel-Chainring

The items above total ~$161.00 which I'm totally happy with, but could stretch a bit more if it seems worth it. Cheaper would obviously be nice too. :)
Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
I had this setup and it was awesome

https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-r-raptor-crank-arms-114122.html
$70

If you want a tad lighter
https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-r-hawk-crank-arms-114112.html
$97

Need separate axle. https://www.jensonusa.com/Rotor-Haw...RCwARIsAAhRhsm0Ky1azKynDSuciPsJFD2qAwYxLfR4A3kg-y7nPwQxyDRXVEh0_pIaAh4xEALw_wcB
$50

https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-hawk-raptor-axle-114198.html
Q-Ring (oval and allows you to dial in the angle.of the oval
$30

Bottom bracket by praxis (able to be taken apart n regreased on the bike)
https://www.merlincycles.com/praxis-m30-bsa-bottom-bracket-128901.html
$34 (can be bought elsewhere as well). Basically any 30mm bottom bracket will work. I used e.13 one.

Total appx $180-210 depending on choices. Super light weight and strong stuff. If my wife hadn't bought me a set of RaceFace Ride Carbon cranks for xmas.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Thanks for the reply Bill. I like the Praxis bottom bracket offerings as well, for sure. I'm wondering if they have full debris ingress prevention from the seat tube, but otherwise happy to run them if that's what I end up with.
I think your Q-Ring link isn't right? It takes me to the Rotor Hawk spindle that you linked earlier. Edit your post with the right link?


I have to admit, the look of those beefy Rotor R-Raptor/R-Hawk cranks is not my style (removing the bumpers would help a lot). I prefer something simpler or slimmer, but that's secondary of course. :thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-q-ring-narrow-wide-direct-mount-chainring-114207.html
That's the link to em.

I know what ya mean about simple. The rotor setup was about as easy as the RaceFace cinch was tbh. Each crank arm easily removes from axle individually.

The crank arms are good n light given the stiffness. They are a bit chunky I'll give ya that.

Not sure on the praxxis bottom bracket mid tube, but I know they're well rated for bsa threaded 30mm capable bearings. E.13 has some bad ratings on some, but they seem easy to regreased, etc, so I went with em and have been happy. Worked with both the Rotor and RaceFace cranks so far [emoji16]
BenFenner said:
Thanks for the reply Bill. I like the Praxis bottom bracket offerings as well, for sure. I'm wondering if they have full debris ingress prevention from the seat tube, but otherwise happy to run them if that's what I end up with.
I think your Q-Ring link isn't right? It takes me to the Rotor Hawk spindle that you linked earlier. Edit your post with the right link?

I have to admit, the look of those beefy Rotor R-Raptor/R-Hawk cranks is not my style (removing the bumpers would help a lot). I prefer something simpler or slimmer, but that's secondary of course. [emoji106]
Click to expand...
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #5 · (Edited)
Thanks for all of the input. I don't think I'm ready to make the leap to an oval chainring just yet, but with your link it was easy to find the round alternative: https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-...tor-noq-ring-direct-mount-chainring-for-rotor-hawk-raptor-chainsets-114234.html

Based on price alone I'm still leaning toward the Race Face solution. That is, if I can confirm it will work. Any input on that would be good too.

Or should I be going 100% toward a 30mm spindle solution? It seems more of a nice-to-have than a must-have?
 
#6 ·
I've had 24mm, gxp, and ,30mm.
I run about 190 fully geared up. I'm sure I don't NEED 30mm, but I do notice less flex in the 30mm based setups I've used.

I'd say if you're considering 30mm, go for it first time. I've learned over the last couple years that every time I make a decision based on a few bucks saved, I find myself replacing it with the other item and placing the item I had on eBay at a loss a few months later...lol

You may also look at Sram DUB...that's actually not too bad price range and it's 28.99mm axle (go figure...lol) and does direct mount.
BenFenner said:
Thanks for all of the input. I don't think I'm ready to make the leap to an oval chainring just yet, but with your link it was easy to find the round alternative: https://www.merlincycles.com/rotor-...tor-noq-ring-direct-mount-chainring-for-rotor-hawk-raptor-chainsets-114234.html

Based on price alone I'm still leaning toward the Race Face solution. That is, if I can confirm it will work. Any input on that would be good too.

Or should I be going 100% toward a 30mm spindle solution? It seems more of a nice-to-have than a must-have?
Click to expand...
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Nice setup there. I'd take anything that isn't a pile of parts on the floor right now. :)

Since you mentioned the Sram DUB setup, I looked into it. Seems right now the cranks are sold with a (steel) narrow-wide chainring, and it's a very affordable setup.

$105 | SRAM NX Eagle Dub Crankset: https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-NXE-Dub-Crankset
$33 | SRAM Dub English Threaded Bottom Bracket: https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-Dub-English-Threaded-Bottom-Bracket

That's all I'd need (I think), and for ~$138 I could be in business. Cheapest solution so far, with the benefits of 30mm spindle and bonus points for matching with my Sram 11-speed cassette. :thumbsup:
 
#9 ·
Hi,

I would not recommend Raceface Aeffect cranks. Instead, maybe consider Raceface Turbine (30mm spindle), although they cost a little more. 2 main reasons:

1) Seems like Aeffect cranks have had manufacturing defects. Ref: https://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-...aeffect-cranks-left-arm-came-loose-spindle-bad-manufacturing-batch-1086318.html

2) Turbine has a preload adjuster that makes the install seem more just-right-snug and reliable against the BB, whereas Aeffect does not.

Hope that helps.
 
#10 ·
DUB is nice in that's what SRAM apparently plans to go with for their lineup going forward. Will make it easy if you ever upgrade your crank...should fit easily. Also works with Truvatuv DUB cranks as well.
Agreed...benefits of 30mm vs 24/gxp and still quite affordable.
Just make sure it's direct mount (if that's truly important to you), as I know a number of SRAM/Truvatuv items still do bolted chainrings.
But $140 for entire setup isn't bad at all.
BenFenner said:
Nice setup there. I'd take anything that isn't a pile of parts on the floor right now. :)

Since you mentioned the Sram DUB setup, I looked into it. Seems right now the cranks are sold with a (steel) narrow-wide chainring, and it's a very affordable setup.

SRAM NX Eagle Dub Crankset: https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-NXE-Dub-Crankset
SRAM Dub English Threaded Bottom Bracket: https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-Dub-English-Threaded-Bottom-Bracket

That's all I'd need (I think), and for ~$138 I could be in business. Cheapest solution so far, with the benefits of 30mm spindle and bonus points for matching with my Sram 11-speed cassette. [emoji106]
Click to expand...
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
#11 ·
Just checked and is direct mount. That's not too shabby. Sure, it might be 100-200 grams heavier than others, but if you're going from a 2x, it's probably a wash basically.
I'd say if you're on a tight budget, that's not a bad choice at all

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #12 · (Edited)
Good info Brian about the Aeffect cranks. I actually read that same review on Jenson's site. Nice to see it posted on the forum as well.

I'm currently riding a ~1998 US-made Trek 820 and have been for the last 15 years. I haven't serviced it really at all during that time.
I'm expecting a huge leap in capability no matter what I decide on, but I don't want to go too far backwards in quality. I'd like this setup to last me (or whoever) another 15 years without too much trouble. Over that period of time, a difference of ~$50 is nothing, I realize, to get something that isn't defective.

That said, I'm leaning towards the Sram DUB setup described in my post above. Thoughts?
 
Discussion starter · #13 · (Edited)
Th3Bill said:
Just checked and is direct mount. That's not too shabby. Sure, it might be 100-200 grams heavier than others, but if you're going from a 2x, it's probably a wash basically.
I'd say if you're on a tight budget, that's not a bad choice at all
Click to expand...
Thanks for the confirmation Bill.

I'm coming from a 3x7 setup on a bike made of cast iron and lead flashing, so counting grams isn't my thing right now. =D
 
#14 ·
My thought is this...with the Advent of 30mm bottom brackets in gxp and pf92 frames, a lot of manufacturers are moving more towards the larger axle size it seems.
If you're considering SRAM, definitely go DUB, as that's their new standard going forward, so from what I've read, they'll likely be phasing out gxp in favor of it.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
#18 ·
One last suggestion
https://www.jensonusa.com/e13-By-The-Hive-TRS-R-Double-Crankset
Yes, double crank. BUT...can be set up single. Sell the 2x spider for like $20. Also, the crank, while $129.99 is 15% off right now, so would run you roughly 110.

https://www.jensonusa.com/e13-Guidering-M-TRS-DM-Chainring
$48 <-can be found cheaper around....

Still need a threaded bottom bracket. Appx $40

The e.13 stuff is nice as well. I had their crank.in 180, but it was too long in the end...lol

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
#19 ·
Cool. Sram DUB was my second choice after Turbine. If I upgrade to 1x12, I will go that route.

Another note...on the steel chainring idea. I'm not sure if a SRAM chainring is available in steel. My RF alloy chainrings (on my 3rd in ~3500 miles) seem to wear out fast.
 
Discussion starter · #20 · (Edited)
BrianPetrySD said:
Another note...on the steel chainring idea. I'm not sure if a SRAM chainring is available in steel.
Click to expand...
The one I linked claims to come with a steel unit. I too am scared of the wear rate of aluminum. I want this bike to be a set-it-and-forget-it affair (as much as possible).
 
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
About this Discussion
22 Replies
5 Participants
Last post:
GreenOps
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion