Cane Creek's Titanium Enduro Crankset - First Look

Apr 16, 2018
by Mike Levy  



We all like to reminisce about ''the good ol' days,'' whenever those might have been. Maybe you miss the simpler times before 12-speed and down-country bikes (relax, only joking), or when there were fewer channels, no cellphones, and everything seemed more wholesome. Me? I miss the mid-2000s Kanye when he was still making good tunes before losing his marbles, and I miss the 90s because that's when companies still did some crazy, unexpected shit.

Unexpected like a company well-known for their suspension offerings releasing a set of mega-light, mega-posh titanium cranks? Yeah, like that. Cane Creek's new eeWings (say ''/ee/-wings'') crankset features titanium everything - the arms, the 30mm spindle, the pedal insets, and even the freaking fixing bolt and washer are made from the pricey grey metal. And pricey they are; all that adds up to 400-grams (without a bottom bracket) and $999 USD, which is twice the cost of many high-end carbon cranksets.
Cane Creek eeWings Details

• Intended use: trail / enduro
• Grade 9 Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium crank arms
• Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V titanium spindle, Hirth joint, chainring interface, pedal inserts
• 30mm titanium spindle w/ Hirth joint
• BB compatibility: BSA 73mm, PF92, PF89.5, BB30 (external bearing only), PF30 (external bearing only), 392EVO
• Chainring compatibility: X-Sync
• Lengths: 170mm, 175mm
• Warranty: 10 years
• Weight: 400-grams (arms, spindle, preload assembly, fastening bolt and washer, 1.75mm spacer)
• MSRP: $999 USD
www.canecreek.com

While the impressive 400-gram weight is in the same ballpark as some carbon cranks, Cane Creek says that the eeWings, which are designed for trail and enduro riding, are 20 to 30-percent stiffer and incredibly durable. They come with a 10-year limited warranty, too.

''Through the course of aggressive riding, you invariably hit your cranks against rocks and other trail features which can cause structural damage to carbon cranks, and can lead to them breaking,'' said Sam Anderson, product manager for Cane Creek. ''Titanium just brushes those hits off, so the eeWings can withstand a lot more abuse than other high-end cranks and not end up structurally compromised or broken,'' he went on to say. ''At the same time, they are incredibly stiff, so more of the energy you put into each pedal stroke makes it to the back wheel and helps push you up and down the trail.''


Cane Creek eeWings
Titanium (nearly) everything. The arms, 30mm spindle, fixing bolt, and even the washer under the bolt's head are all titanium. The preload adjuster ring is the only aluminum component on the entire crankset.


Because it's what a lot of us do as mountain bikers, it's time for some comparisons. Race Face's Next SL G4 setup is said to weigh 430-grams, including a 32-tooth direct mount chainring but no bottom bracket. Keeping things non-metallic, SRAM's XX1 Eagle DUB SL arms tip the scale at a claimed 420-grams with a chainring.

If carbon isn't your thang, Shimano's XTR arms might be. Their XTR Race 1x crankset weighs a claimed 474-grams (without any hardware), and are forged by machines way bigger than your house and that sound like angry monsters. And guess what? All three of those options cost less than the eeWings. A lot less. But as with anything, the cost is subjective, and there will be many riders who don't care about the $999 USD price tag.

In fact, Cane Creek says that every last one of the eeWings cranksets made so far has been snapped up by distributors who clearly don't expect to have any trouble selling them, and that's expected to continue for the rest of crankset's low-number production run.
Cane Creek eeWings
Bang-on 400-grams.


Cane Creek eeWings
The eeWings look a lot like the Sweet Wings crankset from the mid-1990s, and that's not a coincidence, either.


So, where the hell did these titanium cranks pop up from? Their story can actually be traced back to some wild looking road bike brakes, and long before that, a set of two-piece steel cranks from the glory days of the 1990s that bear a striking resemblance to the eeWings. Back in the mid-90s, a guy named Craig Edwards came up with the Sweet Wings two-piece crankset that weighed 520-grams (very light at the time) and employed a press-fit spline on the spindle and an axial bolt to hold them together. They were exotic, rare, and expensive. Later on, Edwards also designed the eeBrake road stoppers, and Cane Creek took over the production, distribution, and sales of the brake in 2016.

That connection between eeCycleworks and Cane Creek was the genesis for the 400-gram eeWings crankset that, while being titanium instead of steel, sure look a lot like those original Sweet Wings arms. It explains the eeWings name, too, with the twin 'e' standing for Edwards Engineering and the rest being a nod to those old cranks.


Cane Creek eeWings
All the parts, pre-welding.


The arms, which can be had in either 170mm or 175mm lengths, are made from Grade 9 Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium, while the 30mm spindle, chainring interface, pedal inserts, and Hirth joint are all Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V titanium.

A Hirth joint, in case you're curious, is a way to join two ends of a shaft, usually via tapered, radial teeth. Campagnolo's been using a Hirth setup for ages as it's a very compact method (it needs to fit inside a bottom bracket shell) of joining the spindle by applying an axial load (via the crank bolt) that can handle relatively high torque loads.


Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek eeWings
The eeWings' Hirth joint in action.


The 30mm spindle will work with BSA 73mm, PF92, PF89.5, BB30 (external bearing only), PF30 (external bearing only), and 392EVO shells, and the chainring interface fits the three-bolt X-Sync pattern. In other words, you should always be able to find a bottom bracket and chainring to fit.

The preload assembly is the only part of the entire crankset that isn't titanium, but it's also not plastic like found on some other high-end options. The CNC'd aluminum adjuster sits on a threaded ring up against the non-drive side arm, and it requires a 2.5mm hex to adjust. The preloader can also be used on SRAM or Race Face 30MM cranks, and Cane Creek sells it separately (with a titanium bolt, of course) for $29.99 USD.


Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek ee Wings
The chainring interface, which is also machined from titanium, is made to work with X-Sync 'rings.

Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek eeWings
Even the fixing bolt and washer (left) are titanium.

Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek is selling the crank's preload assembly separately for $29.99 USD, and it'll work on 30mm cranks from Race Face and SRAM.


I only just installed a set of the eeWings on my Blur test bike using a Race Face threaded bottom bracket and 34-tooth X-Sync chainring. The job was as easy as installing any crankset, but you'll need to slather on the ti-prep, which is required and very different than normal grease. If you ask me, the brushed titanium arms look refreshing and simple compared to carbon, almost like a throw-back, while the subdued laser etching should still look sharp down the road.

The eeWings will see a load of miles over the coming months, after which you'll be able to read about how they fared.


Cane Creek ee Wings
The eeWings mounted up on Santa Cruz's new Blur.


Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

337 Comments
  • 307 9
 Add to Cart! Sweet Sweet Titanium... the most precious of metals... Sorry Carbon... we're done... its not you its me... just kidding its you.
  • 82 2
 Does it come in rainbow?
  • 88 3
 Karbon Kranks just changed her Facebook relationship status to 'single' and is '--feeling Depressed.'
  • 116 53
 Couldn’t agree more. Carbon cranks are possibly the dumbest thing ever made from this material for a mountain bike. Minimal weight saving at maximal cost with limited durability. Should come with an app how many strikes until the pedal insert falls out.
  • 23 0
 @macross87: one could technically anodize Ti. I'll need a set in 165 please!
  • 145 55
 @WAKIdesigns: are you paid to talk trash about everything and be a total douche at the same time?
  • 8 0
 @ledude: yes to the 165 - want to minimize rock strikes on my $1000 cranks, even if they are ti
  • 44 14
 @I-want-your-bike: no, he ( @WAKIdesigns ) isnt paid to do what he does...but he adores it when he riles people up...he won!
  • 13 0
 @macross87: I was thinking the same thing! Oil slick ano on these would be really sweet.
  • 27 13
 I run sram xo on my dh bike for 4 season. Never had 1 problem. I think your talking out of your ass again @WAKIdesigns:
  • 30 19
 @WAKIdesigns: that was quite literally the dumbest thing you’ve ever posted. Or maybe you just don’t know how to ride and pedal strike constantly? Carbon cranks, at least those I have experience with (SRAM X01) are as durable as Thor’s hammer. Even when you put the hammer down.
  • 28 12
 @WAKIdesigns: I’ve been smashing the crap out of carbon Sram XO1 cranks for five years with no issues.
  • 43 23
 Yes a couple of people I know in person are idiots. So are the clients of my other friends who work as mechanics in workshops. All I can say is that I'm happy you have no issues since broken bike means a sad rider. And sad people bum me out.
  • 5 2
 @Speeder01: Same with my old XX1 cranks which are looking a bit worse for wear these days but I have no intention of ditching them.
  • 15 10
 If you're going to charge a grand for a crank set at least smooth out the water jet/laser cut edge on the crank spider to make it look like it was machined. You could even run a program on a mill to clean up around the edges.
  • 2 10
flag brycebee (Apr 16, 2018 at 10:47) (Below Threshold)
 ..
  • 9 3
 @macross87: Don't mean to get to technical but any coloring outside of light straw yellow in the weld heat affected zone is your ticket to cracktown. On applications where the weld is more cosmetic or isn't a risk for causing some kind of catastrophic structural failure you can get away with it. Read the AWS standards for welding titanium and you'll look at those pretty rainbows (on Ti) a little differently.
  • 9 1
 @yeti951SD: @macross87 isnt talking about weld burn colors...he's talking about RAINBOWing
  • 34 0
 Just waiting on the Ti rims now
  • 5 6
 It is a lot of money but well worth it if you really need to save weight (on your bike). I'd rather get these than 200 euro carbon cranks (no idea what these cost). After all, these are going to last much longer than six carbon cranks, so this is just the cheaper option. For the time being though, I'm going to stick to my Ruktion cranks with Howitzer interface. It may add some weight, but it is exactly where I want it to be. Would be a shame to have to add lead to my frame to compensate for excessively lightweight cranks Smile .
  • 13 3
 @thorsbane: Really depends where you live. Out here on the east coast? If your cranks cost more than $200 and your pedals aren't M520's or flats, you're a f*cking moron, pedals and cranks get eaten apart by the granite no matter how good of a rider you are.
  • 4 0
 lol. i was just thinkin about goin the complete opposite and run profiles instead.
  • 2 9
flag RedRedRe (Apr 16, 2018 at 11:38) (Below Threshold)
 Made in..... China?
  • 23 7
 @thorsbane: I've had 3 pedal inserts fallout on X01 & XX1 carbon cranks... maybe you just, um, aren't riding very hard? @WAKIdesigns is always on point you should know better than to question his supreme authority...
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns: dont lie, you revel in the pain!
  • 13 2
 @I-want-your-bike: you must be just starting in the comments section. Welcome
  • 19 5
 Are the cranks user serviceable or do I need to send them back to CC?
  • 3 5
 @WAKIdesigns: Classic Waki.
  • 2 4
 @thorsbane: suck it up and stop being a little whiny baby
  • 3 2
 @thorsbane: I broke a carbon crank arm hauling through a rutted out, rocky trail. There was a rock sticking out of the side of the rut, my pedal snagged on it, and pulled the carbon apart. I’ve got a photo of it in my profile. Keep in mind wasnt pedaling and cranks were level.
  • 9 0
 @yeti951SD: That is a picture of the "Sweet Wings crankset from the mid-1990s" The new ones do not have a chain ring spider... because it's not the 1990s anymore.
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Yes nice having a bit of flex, sure ti cranks have been tried before but these look good, would buy 165mm when they realise that they have some advantages!
  • 3 16
flag High-Life (Apr 16, 2018 at 13:01) (Below Threshold)
 Top 5 most laughable products of the decade. Up there with PacLoc grips.
  • 3 0
 @High-Life: what are the other 3?
  • 5 0
 @ledude: 165 or 160 cranks for me please
  • 11 15
flag jmrbauer (Apr 16, 2018 at 13:28) (Below Threshold)
 there are definitely crappy designs out there, but if you think all carbon cranks are bullshit then you don't ride hard enough to notice the benefit of increased responsiveness and stiffness, plain and simple. just save your money and stick to ALU. So many ppl would rather bash products than admit their skills aren't at the point where they can notice a difference from upgrades that aren't even designed for casual riders in the first place.
  • 6 2
 @yeti951SD: I think your looking at the sweet wing crank picutre from the 1990's that the cranks took their inspiration from...... i don't see any raged waterjet marks on the new cranks ?
  • 17 5
 @jmrbauer: You sound like a trust fund baby bitching because people don't like your expensive toys. Do you work for a carbon crank manufacturer or something? Everyone that doesn't like carbon isn't using it hard enough to recognize the benefit it offers? Get over yourself, my god.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: 1k usd ...
  • 2 0
 @I-want-your-bike: Except that he's right...
  • 1 0
 @yeti951SD: for an example of what he means, check out the anodised Ti coming from people like firefly.
  • 1 0
 @Pablo16v: why would ya? Great cranks .
  • 1 4
 @RedRedRe: I don't think there are any titanium welders in China yet, since they only cater to the bottom of the market in metal bikes. I read when they bought those su28 jets with the intakes welded up, they literally didn't know what to do!
  • 5 1
 @jaame: Titanium Stanton and Kingdom bikes are being welded in China. They do just fine. Fools like me are easily impressed and think Stanton and Kingdom aren't the bottom of the market in metal bikes.
  • 2 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Have a set of carbon cranks that have been beat on for 5 years and still are great. They came with the build on the bike, or would have never bought them, but they are not fragile.
  • 5 2
 @Davichin: I stopped riding my NEXT SL cranks before they fell apart. Never buying Raceface again.
  • 1 0
 This would fixed my Steel hardtail bike... WooW
  • 5 0
 @carym: carbon cranks are notorious for the aluminium crank inserts coming loose or snapping out of the surrounding carbon. Google it.
  • 5 0
 @mnorris122: Agree. The one pair of carbon cranks I owned that came stock on a bike had the pedal insert ripped out from a high speed rock strike on the pedal. Hard to beat Shimano cranks for the price and durability.
  • 4 0
 @vinay: Kona's titanium Honzo is/was also made in China.
  • 6 0
 @ahlmanj2011: This! I have personally seen 4 sets of Next cranks fail. No carbon cranks for me please.
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: No issues here either since nexts inception!
  • 1 0
 @yeti951SD:
Then they'd be $1400 ti cranks
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Actually I think these guys win at maximal cost.
  • 1 0
 @I-want-your-bike: he is 100% correct.
  • 1 0
 @I-want-your-bike: I think someone just shelled out a bunch of cash on some carbon cranks...
  • 2 2
 @vinay: not so. I don't know about kingdom, but I know for a fact that Stanton ti bikes are made in Taiwan. When I say China, I mean the PRC. You know, that place where you do as you're told or risk being extra judicially teleported into a thought correction institution for an undisclosed period of time.
  • 2 2
 @jaame: as far as I know from certain sources there's much more Taiwan or South America in "proudly made in (insert whatevr your beloved country is) that what meets the eye. Like where do billets for machining come from. Ekhem... But I don't think that's something to cry about since end quality is top notch.
  • 3 0
 @jaame: Alright sorry I'm wrong about Stanton. I'm pretty certain about Kingdom though. I'd have to figure out about the other brands. Charge, On-One, Commencal, VanNicholas/Airborne... You're right about human rights issue. Silly enough I should be more concerned about the Chinese electronics I own (tools, adaptors, computer etc) than where the frame (or cranks) are made. Either way, that's a different discussion and I think I largely agree with you there. But back to your first statement, I do think there are more than a few skilled Chinese welders producing proper titanium frames.
  • 2 2
 @vinay: many of the bike frame plans, carbon and metal, around Taiwan actually have very good working conditions, pay a good living salary, and actually give lot of consideration to health and safety. I know a number of folks to both travel to plants and work in them. They are not marginalized sweat shop labourers like you might think.
  • 2 0
 @FLATLlNE: Oh yeah, I understand that Taiwan is actually a great place to live and work. I read an article in the Anthology I book (a collection of articles from the eskapee.com website, bundled in a book by MIsspent Summers). I wouldn't compare Taiwan to PRC, sorry if it came across as such.
  • 1 2
 @vinay there may be an uplift soon to workers conditions in Asia across all industries. The word on the street has it that major Swedish clothing brands are having their financial pants on fire. They can’t drop prices lower. A local analyst said that retro second hand trend as well as over availability of new stuff, too fast changing trends have hit them hard in the balls. “New” lost a lot of value. It’s time for clothing factories across Asia to deal the cards. If they uplift their employment standards, everything will follow.
  • 2 1
 Not to get into a tit for tat without knowing the details of specific cases, but most high end bikes are made in Taiwan, not China. Santa Cruz is the only one I know of that manufactures their high end bikes in China. Commencal is another one that is made in Taiwan. I was being facetious when I said there are no titanium welders in China... but I stand by what I said about it being pretty much exclusively the low end of bikes that are made in China, the PRC, as opposed to Taiwan, the ROC.
  • 1 3
 My Al cranks are 449g @ 175mm.
They cost less than a third of these.
If I'm not mistaken the more flexible alloy is in the arms. Be cool if they had elastic power producing properties and helped soak up impacts.
  • 1 1
 @jaame: Fair enough, Taiwan typically has the top production facilities. Which is why Starling has their series production done there too. I won't deny my (I think Chinese made, the "Made in" sticker fell off) DMR isn't quite high end. My next frame (which I consider more high end) is being welded in the UK, but those are steel. I now realize that it is often unclear where titanium frames are being welded exactly. Even local brand 11ants admits the frames are being welded in The Netherlands but not exactly where. German brand Nicolai does the aluminium rear end of their fully. But as for the titanium (front end or hardtail frames), I don't know.
  • 1 0
 @YoKev: They're already $1400 cranks in Canada
  • 4 0
 @vinay: Our frames used to be welded in China (like many others) but the fact that we never used generic (CNC) parts on our bikes (we have our own "lego box"of in house designed parts Wink ) always made it hard to get exactly what we wanted there, most Asian facilities have a hard time to work out of their comfort zone. That was the main reason for us to set-up our own production facility in Holland (Bergen NH to be precise). Also for our designer it's a blast to be able to hop into the workshop and do quick try-outs etc. Please do realize that both good and sloppy quality Ti frames come from everywhere. It's NOT the country that determines the quality, it's the craftsmanship of the builder. That also means there's difference within the big factories despite the fact that some (all) companies that produce in Asia say their bikes "are only made by their senior/best welders" Wink . Cheers Roy, Co-owner 11Ants
  • 1 0
 @11ants: Hi Roy, thanks for your response, cool! I absolutely agree quality largely depends on the builder. The main concern in this discussion however wasn't so much the build quality, but the ethics (worker conditions and environment) and the government your money indirectly supports. Of course when going through the full product chain from mining to customer there will always be something messy. It is just that at some point you want something that's "clean", especially when it is the product that's supposed to give you as much joy as an mtb does. And indeed your German gearing goes a long way.

I've got to say I did consider having a bike built by you too. I am at the point that pretty much everything on my bike is outdated so there wasn't much to be transferred to a new bike. So obviously the gearbox became an option too. It was between the Portus Cycles Krowd Karl or Olsen (Pinion), or BTR or 11ants (Pinion or Rohloff). Eventually I decided most of my riding just isn't that pedally nor do I require the wide gearing. So I went with conventional gearing again on a BTR. But yeah, 11ants was on my shortlist. We'll meet on the trails someday and I know you'll be laughing when you blast through a loose section whilst my sandy chain grinds my old fashioned cassette Wink .
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I must be the luckiest guy in the world. My Next cranks have been perfect for a few years now.
  • 2 1
 @freeridejerk888: Ahh didn't fail on me so the pictures of all the broken ones are fake news.

well played.
  • 1 0
 @TheOriginalTwoTone: I said I must be the luckiest guy in the world!
  • 1 0
 @Grmasterd: Titanium breaks rocks.
  • 1 0
 @yeti951SD: I reckon that’s the old cranks from the 90’s in that pic
  • 2 1
 @I-want-your-bike: waki is only tuned for non American IQ's.
  • 74 6
 Totally worth a 1000 bucks
  • 4 2
 @JesseE how did I know you would leave a comment here? This has you written all over it!
  • 5 0
 @oldfaith: hope they last longer than the ti spindles I had on my Profiles.
  • 2 0
 @oldfaith: god I'm so predictable.
  • 7 6
 $1000...no way. They maybe Ti but they don’t exactly look entirely special. I’d want some fancy bespoke one off etching or something at that price!
  • 4 2
 @matther01: I was being sarcastic, as much as I like them. White Industries are as cool looking a crank as I need and probably less than half the price.
  • 4 0
 @JesseE: those White Industries chainrings are so expensive - thats my only gripe with them...I have 2 sets of those mr30 cranks. theyre awesome and light. and look hella good too.
  • 2 0
 @JesseE: And there was me thinking only Brits do sarcasm Smile I thought I was bonkers paying £450 for MR30s...I don’t feel quite as bad now lol
  • 1 0
 @ledude: Yeah, £60 for a ring is pretty expensive as we have to pay export duty too Frown
  • 1 1
 @fartymarty: ha ha you reminded me about my old ti QR skewers which were completely useless.
  • 1 0
 @matther01: you guys take dry sarcasm to another level. Funny, now I'm thinking of this guy (not that he's sarcastic, per se)

www.dailymotion.com/video/x2n7rgb
  • 1 0
 I don't know my ti stiletto hammer has more ti in it and only cost 300 bucks not sure this price is justified
  • 3 0
 If I had an extra grand, I could finally get a new bike.
  • 2 0
 @fartymarty: Which Profile are very clear on "Like all of our Titanium products, the GDH Ti Crank axle is designed for weight savings which can mean a reduction in strength. It’s perfect for racing, park, flatland, and light street, but if you like to jump down 8 sets and off of rooftops, then you will be better served with our CrMo axle."
  • 1 0
 @DarrellW: I was using them on my trail bike so nothing too extreme. They developed Profile "wobble" which just annoyed me. I love the simplicity of Profiles though.
  • 1 0
 Seriously, if they can ramp up production and offer these at MSRP of $549 (15% more than RF Next SL G4), they will totally own the high end crank market. This blows any carbon or AL crank out of the water.
  • 41 0
 The Hirth joint and X-sync spline are pure machine porn. These are freakin beautiful!
  • 11 0
 Know where else titanium and hirth joints are used??? Gas turbines. This thing is basically a freakin' jet engine.
  • 1 0
 @mrleach: Too bad you can't move as fast as a jet with them, though! Big Grin
  • 3 0
 @Poulsbojohnny: Sounds like a passive aggressive pitch for e-bikes... Wink
  • 3 2
 Creak.... creak.... creak... ..... creak...
  • 38 0
 They’re going to sell a lot of those preload rings
  • 14 1
 This!! I've been hoarding my old aluminum raceface preload rings. Those craptastic plastic ones they sell are a rubbish. It's a poor finishing touch to otherwise good cranks (raceface).
  • 5 0
 Mine are pre-ordered.
  • 7 0
 Screw the crankset, I want those preload rings.
  • 6 0
 Seriously, those preload rings are the real story here. Can't wait to get rid of this plastic piece of crap.
  • 1 1
 And I think they're cheaper than what I paid in Germany for the plastic ones!
  • 2 0
 @shawnca7: Yes the preload ring, no the price on the whole crank. And really, for $1000 the least they could do is include the rings.
  • 1 2
 @Poulsbojohnny: The crank does come with a preload ring. Check out the website.
  • 8 1
 The RF preoload issue is the cheap bolt rounding up, not the material used for the actual ring.
Replace the bolt with a 25c steel or $1 titanium.

The preload nut is made of nylon because it gives better feedback than metal, and it makes it easier to adjust the preload. A metal ring is more likely to be over tighten. Same difference between using an hammer or a mallet.

Shimano has a plastic preload for the hollowtech cranks for this exact reason.
  • 2 0
 @RedRedRe: dropping the knowledge.
  • 5 1
 @RedRedRe: How would one over-tighten a preload ring, anyway? What feedback do you need to know that you're at hand-tight when turning the ring?
  • 1 0
 @RedRedRe: I did not know that, thank you. I just had a Race Face one that always came loose and then my crankset would slide horizontally.
  • 5 1
 @RedRedRe: I'm not sure I agree with this. The nut tightness has no effect on preload capacity or tightness, only the holding ability of a position assigned. I've used both and am not a fan of nylon. The better screw for a nylon one doesn't change the fact it's using wood screw type threads and not machine screws, thus you can strip the threads easy.
  • 1 1
 Ti cranks, blah, blah, hirth joint, blah, cnc aluminium preload ring with 2.5 hex bolt? Yes! I'll take two.
  • 1 0
 @cyrways: Maybe I did not explain myself correctly. Plastic gives more feedback than metal in this instance and makes it easier to properly adjust the preload.
You rather replace the nylon piece for $3 every time you change the BB or prematurely wear a $50+ BB?

Moreover, most people issue is the bolt rounding up. It is not the threads stripping.
If you are stripping the threads, you may want to get a torque ranch and set it to 2Mn.

If the nylon piece strips and/or the bolt rounds off, it is an easy fix.
Just carefully cut the nylon piece enough to get the bolt loose.

If the metal piece strips and/or the bolt rounds off, it is a difficult fix.
You also may damage the threads on the crankset.

On that size of bolts, it takes the very similar force to strip the threads regardless if it is nylon or aluminum.
You can also strip the crankset threads if not properly cleaned or over tighten.
  • 3 0
 @RedRedRe: If you can find a source for $3, Send it our way. I'd have no complaints if that were the case, problem is, they retail for about $25.

I split mine by over tightening the lock screw and it split the screw hole open (heheheheh). It was dusty and was hard to gauge the tension. User error, I'll admit, but a metal collar, or at least a metal insert for that screw would be a worthwhile improvement.
  • 2 0
 @DaPeach: ebay, universal cycles, jenson etc. etc. they all have it for $2-3-4.

I have a couple but never had to replace mine. Just the bolt.
Metal insert would be nice!
The problem is tightening on nylon gives different feedback than metal.
Metal you know when you meet the right torque. Nylon keeps giving until it too late.
  • 36 1
 wow the blur just became a triple-down-country rig with those
  • 31 0
 Should I use a Ti crankset on a carbon frame or a carbon crankset on a Ti frame...?
  • 8 0
 The answer to life’s meaning
  • 36 0
 if you have a steel hardtail built by a guy with a waxed mustache then you'll need this Ti crankset
  • 2 0
 Yes
  • 21 30
flag WAKIdesigns (Apr 16, 2018 at 9:58) (Below Threshold)
 Dump that carbon all together. Carbon is peasants’ gold.
  • 10 3
 Dump it right into the ocean!
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: But everything I have is carbon, how do I come back from here?
  • 6 4
 @KiwiXC: I have a pretentious carbon frame, I can sht on carbon as much as I like. Just like Chris Rock can use the N-word. And then I can call owners of Santa Cruzes, Intenses the pathetic upper class wannabies on death loans and owners of carbon Canyons or Meridas are total subsistent peasants. Mohahhah
  • 1 0
 @KiwiXC: Soon broken and thrown away unfortunately. Good occasion to start again carbon-free, planet/wallet friendly Smile
  • 3 0
 @Franzzz: I try to throw away them away but they keep giving me new ones. It’s a Giant, currently on frame number 3 woot woot! It’s cheaper to warranty the frame than service the pivots!
  • 23 2
 Would go well with a 4000$ carbon frame and some 2500$ carbon wheels.
Beautiful conversation piece .
  • 34 1
 Agree. This would look fantastic in my rich mahogany scented living room next to my leather bound books
  • 8 0
 Also it's sustainably mined in Western NC's rich deposits of Titanium.
  • 29 0
 @preach: they forgot to mention it's free range organic titanium
  • 5 1
 @bigdood: no carbs, plenty of antioxidants
  • 7 1
 If only it could come in orange to complement the color of my latest turquoise yeti turq that I ride occasionally through a dog park to stare at the peasent's
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: keto cranks - GENIUS!
  • 4 1
 @preach: North Carolina's bountiful deposit's of unobtanium may have reached an all time high of providing sustainable, farm to table, cage free supply of shiny lightweight metal
  • 9 1
 @vtracer: the moment you see ENVE kitted Bronson CC and you think to yourself: "peasant"
  • 4 0
 Crane creek only recommends free range organic avocado oil on these, I heard they won't warranty it if you're using a synthetic lube.
  • 2 0
 @KiwiXC: wrong...coconut oil only...cage free, hormone free, beer fed coconut oil
  • 2 1
 @ledude: living bacteria cultures. Acidopaedophilus
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: bacteria cultures are good for you...eat them all!
  • 17 2
 I do like Ti products, but damn thats out of my budget...
  • 15 16
 Most Ti stuff is out of budget of most people. Like Ti bars or headsets. That’s exactly why Titanium is a genuinely exclusive material. And you cannot really cheap it out like carbon. You won’t find a version of this crank for 10% of price at Ali Express. For the most part Carbon is good for upper middle class. Big shot avantgarde rides Ti. The funnt thing is though that you can get a quality Ti frame for not much more money. I get the cost of making this vs a frame but still Smile

@sickbicycles
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns:
Sure, Ti is out of budget for most people.But it is not as expensive here in the USA as some people like to think. I had to look up the Ti chain rings amrskipro pointed to at www.carbon-ti.com and I discovered that the Ti ring for my road bike is about 80 euros with VAT.

That is comparable to what I was about to pay for a Rotor Qring. It is also (an insignificant) 2 whole GRAMS lighter than a Campagnolo SR chainring for a little less than double the price.

I don't really think I meet the description of "Big shot avantgarde". My most expensive bike is a steel adventure touring tandem. I guess that ticked off a bunch of hipster boxes. My MTB and Road bike were less than half the cost of the tandem. I spent less than $3,000 on each. That is squarely in middle class for a year round bike commuter. Or for an over paid engineer.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: commercially pure titanium, just like cheap carbon no one knows till it breaks
  • 2 2
 @WAKIdesigns: im so happy I'm a big shot avantgarde!?
But now, could you just f*ck off once and for all with your stupid comments and opinions no one f*cking cares!
  • 14 0
 Damn!! Ti stays clean AF!
  • 15 1
 Jesus this is half the price of my current bike.. (2015 Spec Enduro)
  • 7 10
 Further reinforcing the fact that pricing in this industry has gone completely ridiculous. This is a $300-400 crankset, tops - so, for $999 they can keep it on the shelf collecting dust until it relocates to the bargain bin next season for $400, the price that it should have been in the first place.
  • 5 0
 More expensive than my junk car.
  • 7 0
 @NYShred: very low quantity (as the article mentions), they are almost sold out, and not a single person is forcing you to purchase them. So there is that...
  • 8 0
 About time somebody brought back the Sweet Wing design (Which I had back in the day). Would love to see a cro-moly version (like the original Sweet Wings). Nice to see bearing adjustment (which old ones did not have). But ti bolts threaded in a ti spindle? Better slather on the ti prep...
  • 3 0
 Put me down for a 4130 version too!
  • 3 0
 @filmdrew:

If they could bring a high grade steel (stainless?) version to market for $300 or so, I'm sure it would do extremely well.
  • 17 6
 Does it come in a 28.99 version??
  • 6 0
 Dubt it
  • 7 0
 The Sweet Wings cranks were awesome, knew someone that had a set and they were both super light and very stiff, way ahead of the time. I'm all about not leaving carbon dust ground into the rocks I smash with my cranks.
  • 3 0
 I bought a pair of the Sweetwings in the fall of 1995 when they first came out. Still have them. Broke the axle in the spring of 2000, Kent Carlson hooked me up with a replacement arm/axle in summer 2000, long after they were out of production. They were by far the best cranks you could get until Shimano Hollowtech 2 came out, I still miss the ground clearance of them. Insanely stiff and light, actually about as stiff as a M800 Saint crank.

I would seriously consider buying these new Ti cranks for $600-$800.
  • 6 0
 This will be interesting, because even with ti prep, I predict that threading ti to ti in a muddy mtb service will not disassemble well at the end of the test.

Retro Question: Why does reading about the old Sweet Wings cranksets remind me of the old Grove X hardtail?!
  • 5 0
 If you need to do trailside work that leaves the internals of your parts dirty, you need to take them apart and clean them, regardless if they're steel, aluminum, ti, or carbon.
  • 3 0
 I think threading anything, to anything, with mud, dirt, and sand involved lead to poor results.
  • 7 0
 I estimate a few months before I can buy matching titanium crankset, chainring, handlebars, wheels, hubs, stem, cassette, derailleur, and shifter cables.
  • 8 0
 Reminds me of the days when I was getting all excited about Profile 3 piece cranks, here we have the adult version.
  • 1 0
 Profile has an adult version, its called the "Elite" cranks. They are pretty freaking light compared to the OG cranks. I think anyone who picks up a pair will be pretty damn surprised by the weight of them...and they come in chrome of course.
  • 10 1
 Rolex? Check.
Porsche? Check.
E Wings? Ordered.
  • 8 0
 I can't tell a lie. I would love to have these. Just need a tad more disposable income.
  • 6 0
 Profile cranks were the dream of every kid into BMX back in the early 80's, now theses are the same for me in my middle age! Yeah I cannot justify the expense but I can appreciate and drool!
  • 8 0
 Looks like a BMX crankset.
  • 7 2
 RF grubby management just lost there cash cow plastic cinch ring gravey train. Been amazed no one was knocking out decent ones for years. Thank you cane creek again really loving your stuff.
  • 8 1
 when are they releasing the 3x version?
  • 6 0
 soon; price-3000 dollars.
  • 4 1
 yall are crazy for complaining about the price...how much do you spend on cranksets through the course of 10 years...these will last just as long if not longer than the 10 year warranty...

an xo eagle crankset is around $400 right now...how long will they last??
  • 3 0
 There are other options. Groovy cycles makes Ti cranks (and chromo too!):
groovycycleworks.blogspot.ca/2017/07/titanium-hot-rods.html
I like the spindle interface better too. I don't know if that joint on the Cane-Creeks will be as durable as a spline or lobed interface when it comes to side-loads, off-axis torque, and impacts.
  • 2 0
 First thing I thought... "Really, a hirth joint? No splines?" Hirths are strong, but they are complicated and more expensive to make than splines. In the unlikely event that there is some sort of negligence and the bolt applying the axial load backs out, there would likely be way more damage done to the hirth than to the splines.
  • 3 0
 It's one of the best looking cranks I've ever seen, but the price does have me a bit confused. You can get an absolutely top end Ti frame in the $1500 - $2500 range. Maybe I'm not giving enough credit in how difficult it is to make a ti crankset.

I'm sure it's secure but man I'd be re-torquing the drive side arm before every ride as well.

But yes, I want one...
  • 6 4
 So I’m neither a Dentist nor an Engineer, but I do know that Titanium is one of the most flexible metals. If there’s one piece on my bike I want to be stiff, it’s the cranks. Im unsure about the application of Titanium in this regard. Nice looking piece of metal though! Will look great beside they other practical products like the THUDBUSTER seatpost!!
  • 3 3
 Yeah but they claim these cranks are 20 to 30% stiffer than other cranks. Do you smell marketing bull poop? I do. 20 tp 30% stiffer than cranks that don’t flex already. So. Hey they are nifty and all and look well made and well designed but I think all you get for all that money is a good crank that’s as good as anything else and has a ton of cachet but that’s it.
  • 4 3
 Exactly this - titanium is known for elasticity. I want as much of my power as possible delivered to the back wheel please.

Id like to see a stiffness comparison test on all the high end cranks. All companies say theyre cranks are the stoffest, or 20% stiffer than the cheaper version they make, but im not buying it. Gonna need some facts. 400g is really light ad just hard to believe this... saints are stiff AF and 800g. Just seems a but too good to be true.
  • 5 6
 It's not the material used that matters, it's how they use it. A wheel built with ti spokes is no more flexible than one with steel spokes.
  • 8 2
 @theedon not sure where you heard that from, I work with titanium and I can tell u for sure it's not flexible, and the titanium in these cranks will most likely have been heat treated or tempered, and a good chance it's been alloyed too, so it will have different properties to 99% pure titanium anyway, sorry to rain on the parade
  • 4 0
 That is why they don't make pure ti parts - it's a ti alloy like virtually any metal found in a modern bike. they even tell ya Ti-3Al-2.5V & Ti-6Al-4V
  • 1 0
 @Owenjs I guess that’s your opinion. I have a Ti Honzo and it’s like riding a wet noodle..in a good way! It literally flexes before your eyes. That’s why people buy Ti bikes. They have a “lively” ride. I also use to work for a certain bicycle component manufacturer. Titanium is strong and light, but it is not stiff. Carbon is by far stiffer
  • 1 0
 @Owenjs: I suppose truth be told, neither one of us really know much about these cranks because we haven’t been to the lab and seen them fatigue tested against other cranks they are claiming to be stiffer than.
  • 3 0
 @theedon: wall thickness and the oval shape of the crank arms will play a large factor in the stiffness. Just as with your Ti Honzo Kona could make it really stiff if needed (thicker tubes and change the profiles). It would be heavier, but stiffer. These cranks could have maybe been lighter...but then less stiff.

Like any material it's tough to use a blanket statement to cover all of it's possible applications.
  • 1 1
 @Owenjs: heat treating or tempering won't change the stiffness. I'd bet dollars to donuts it's an alloy, no practical purpose for cpTi and there's a reason why most orthopedic implants that undergo cyclical loading (hips, knees) are an alloy like Grmasterd mentions below
  • 6 1
 Titanium is approximately 30% stiffer than aluminum of the same cross section. Yes, I am an engineer. Cheers.
  • 4 0
 It's not that it's flexible, it's that it can bend more before it permanently deforms. So, if an engineer chooses too, he can build a bike with more flex than an aluminum bike, that won't break. Or he can design it to the same stiffness as an aluminum bike. It's capable of bending more, but it's still pretty damn stiff. You have to make it pretty thin to get significant flex. It's doesn't seem that's what these guys did. I'm pretty sure they weren't going for flex. BTW, you didn't have to state that you're not an engineer. It was implicit in your question.
  • 1 0
 @theedon: yeah, fair enough, tbh the titanium I work with is for the blades of a gas turbine engine so it would be much different to the titanium alloys on bikes so yeah, in my experience stiffer but that's in a different application and alloys so not 100% relevant looking back on it
  • 4 0
 @sk133872: heat treating will change the stiffness mate trust me on this one
  • 1 0
 @DarrellW: that’s cool. I think it’s pure marketing hype to claim stiffness is 20 to 30% stiffer with no context. Stiffer than what? How stiff do cranks need to be? Then add in bottom bracket flex, frame flex, pedal flex, wheel flex and it becomes less clear. And then I ask what is wrong with a little flex? In Moto GP Bikes became too stiff and less fast than old frames so the manufacturers backed off on stiffness and riders went faster. They needed some compliance. They are beautiful cranks for sure. I would not turn a set down if they were given to me.
  • 2 0
 @Someoldfart:

The large majority of thru axle cranks all have very similar stiffness, in about a 20% range. Carbon or AL, 24mm or 30mm spindle, from normal weights to fairly light. Isis cranks about 20-30% less, square taper about half the stiffness. DH/FR class cranks are about 30% stiffer.

I'd say it's highly likely these will be one of the stiffest lightweight cranks on the market, and in the stiff end of the range of trail/enduro cranks, but not outside that range. They will not be as stiff as a DH crank.

Since all modern cranks are fairly stiff, I'd say these will not be excessively stiff.

Most people do not the enjoy the feel of flexy cranks when pedaling.
  • 1 0
 @Owenjs: I thought they used high nickel based alloys for turbine blades?
  • 3 1
 Titanium is very difficult to weld well and last...
II wonder where are these produced?

Also, wouldn’t be stronger if the spindle meet at the middle like Campagnolo? (best set up I have had)
Chainring lockring and spindle both at the same place seems all the stress concentrated in one area?

I would have preferred cinch style lockring rather than obsolete sram.
  • 3 2
 I think there are better chainrings available for the sram interface. More variety and the new eagle tooth profile is pretty nice. Also the Cinch chainring isn't the most durable to put it lightly...
  • 3 2
 as an welder, aluminum is way harder to weld than titan, you just need a lot of gas and thinking ahead to successfully weld together something from titanium.
  • 3 0
 I liked my old Syncros Ti tube crank arms til one of them snapped in two. I continued to like the unbroken one, and used it as adoor handle. Syncros went under and there was no warranty.
  • 4 1
 I sheared one of those (well, the chromo one) off too; got a nasty gash in my ankle, but nothing permanent.
Got the crank out of a box we found inside of the control cabinet of a used CNC that my company bought from Syncros bankruptcy sale, so I guess I got what I paid for?
  • 1 0
 All titanium cranks produced in the past broke sooner or later.
The problem is very few people in the bike world know how to properly weld it. On frames you can get away with it, cranks are way more difficult. I can only think Steve Potts in the states and Nevi in Italy. These cranks are probably going to be made by Lynksey? Hope not in Asia.
  • 1 0
 @RedRedRe: Don't forget Groovy Cycleworks hotrod cranks in ti Wink
  • 2 1
 When you're done breaking cranks when smashing against the rocks and it's time to break rocks --> Ti Cranks.

Alternatively: when you're done pulling last dollar from the market with carbon fiber and still looking to pull out some more --> Ti Cranks. Just kidding, I'd love to get a pair.
  • 1 0
 I had two pairs of Sweet Wings. As long as you installed them correctly on a properly faced B.B. shell, they were excellent cranks. I only sold mine because they fit 68mm shells and became obsolete. I’ve dreamed of an updated version like these. So cool to see them in reality. But sadly, these are already obsolete for me because I build my personal frames with 100mm shells and run 165mm arms. Fingers crossed they will offer more sizes eventually. Regardless, thanks Cane Creek for bringing back one of the engineering marvels of the 90’s.
  • 1 0
 Like the look of the arms, but no, no, no on the creaky, brake off, break your ankle Hirth joint axle.. Even the splined one from 90's looks safer? Not that I'd trust that much either!!.. Why didn't these designers do some type of a Profile BMX crank spline type, or an XTR, Saint, etc bolt clamp type of some sort for safety? Are these bike designers, or just fashion designers (who don't ride bikes)? Well maybe "Boris Johnson And Brompton Titanium Bits"
  • 5 1
 not for me, but pretty cool. Would look slick with purple ano pedals for true retro cool factor
  • 5 0
 love titanium, love it so much.....
  • 5 0
 The pre-load collar is just about the best thing in here.
  • 4 0
 I haven't wanted a bike part this bad since the days of the Hannebrink. Want!
  • 3 0
 Why weld it when you can machine it from a solid block of billet. It would be stronger and look better. Making airplane parts for a living has ruined the look of bike parts.
  • 1 0
 @Iam106racing: Because that would then justify the price?
  • 1 0
 @m1dg3t: it would not justify the price for me one bit. I ride a downhill bike not a cross country bike. I think they look awesome but there would never be a set on my bike...
  • 2 0
 If you think you could machine a ti crank and end with a product that anyone is able to afford, PM me a price and we'll chat. I don't think anyone is going to be interested in a 6k crank, though.
  • 1 0
 I scrolled down and looked at the pictures before going back and reading the article- your opening comments captured EXACTLY what I was thinking when I was scrolling down that first time. These are so old school, and yet so awesome. Holy ---- I wish I had a spare G sitting around in a mattress somewhere!
  • 1 0
 What about the Propeller cranks? Those where the Holy Graal...
  • 3 2
 1k for titanium , for that price u can get 3 X01 cranksets and whats more producting these cc cranks is probably cheeper than producing carbon ones and they look like cranks from 90s. WHAT ARE THOSE!
  • 1 0
 I had a set of Sweet Wings, never could get the bolt to hold them tight, always seemed to work loose. I can’t remember what happened to them, think they were on a bike that got stolen in Halifax back in the day.
  • 2 0
 I wish I had a mere $1,000 laying around for cranks. I'm stressed just spending a few hundred bucks to just uprgrade my drivetrain.
  • 4 0
 Eeeeee those are all siick!
  • 6 2
 OMG 1990's are back at it again, stupid industry keeps going full circle.
  • 7 7
 Somewhere there's a bike shop that knows how to merchandise properly and is run by people with art history degrees who still all wish they were curating a contemporary art gallery. It's where this crank will do best, because as an object, as a thing to look at, touch, and feel, removed from any context, this crank is incredibly cool. I want one.

In the real world, where context matters, this crank is idiotic. It retails for $1000 USD. And because it's a high-end, likely "limited production" item, the margins on it for shops will be low, meaning they won't make much (if any) money selling it by the time they have to discount it 20% just to get it to move out the door. A rider could buy two XTR cranks, probably 3 RaceFace Turbine cranks, or even a couple of XX1 carbon cranks, all of which are nearly as light and more than stiff enough. And if you buy the XTR or XX1 crankset you get better BB options that last longer than any 30mm spindle BB will last.

In a couple of years we'll remember the release of this crank as Peak Enduro/Idiocy on the mountain side of the cycling industry. It's all downhill from here, and not in a fun, WB bike park way.
  • 10 0
 You do realize these will also outlive both those XTR and Turbine cranks you mentioned, right? This is a lifetime purchase, for people who keep their frames for well over the decade plus mark. People with custom geo or limited run frames are going to be into this.

You also bring up the price, failing to understand genuinely how durable ti is compared to aluminum. You'll likely trash three sets of Turbines in the time you'd own these. This is a frugal purchase, not a cheap one.
  • 8 0
 Oh well I can think of rather many expensive "idiocies" and nobody loses their minds over it, like fat bike with drop bars (no1 by a huge margin), carbon cranks on a DH bike, 110g 800mm carbon bar, carbon stem, power meters in shoes and pedals, Ceramic Speed cages/pulleys, Ceramic bearings in general, Di2 for crying out loud Big Grin Check out one of those fixie instagram accounts. So these will be fine. I don't think they make any stronger reasoning for these. Exclusive uber pretentious item.
  • 2 0
 ^ This guy gets it
  • 5 2
 @sherbet: In 10 years time you will not be able to mount this crank on any "modern" frame because they all will be 26,99 and 81,99 wide x-boost, but someone who buys this probably can spare a $10k for a custom made frame Wink
  • 2 1
 @lkubica: Pretty much my biggest fear with this crank, yep. I feel like BB30 is going to be here for a while, mind you.
  • 5 6
 @sherbet: In theory, they'll outlive an XTR or Turbine crank. Yaaaayyyyyy! In theory, I can fly to the moon in a spaceship I build in my backyard as well…

In reality, how many XTR and Turbine cranks have you seen that have suffered catastrophic failures that aren't due to manufacturing defects, aren't happening to riders who get them for free, and aren't happening through sheer negligence on the part of the rider? Perhaps more importantly, how many XTR or Turbine cranksets worn out due to having been ridden for 50 000 km have you seen in your life time?

I'm going with "none" for all of the above. I'll grant you the odd broken XTR crankset, because making hollow forged alloy cranks is actually pretty involved, meaning it's easy for any one step in the process to go wrong leaving you with a manufacturing defect of some sort. But even that's generous. Broken carbon cranks? Sure, but even those are pretty rare all things considered, and if you're that hard on cranks you have plenty of light enough, stiff enough aluminum options.

If a crank fails due to a manufacturing defect you're getting a new one for free. If you're planning on keeping a crank around through successive bikes good luck, because I can almost guarantee that some sort of standard will have changed by the time you're replacing your frame, meaning your titanium crank won't fit or work properly. And even if it does, the likelihood of having broken a good alloy crank while riding the frame you're replacing is so low that chances are you could have saved $700 by buying a Turbine crank, then bought a new Turbine crank for the new frame at a max cost of $300, for a total of $600 in cranks over two frames. That leaves you with $400 to spend on hotels in cool riding places that are far away from home, burritos, after-ride beers, crack cocaine if you're into that, or about a bajillion other things that are less idiotic than titanium cranks for your enduro bike. So no, these cranks aren't a frugal purchase. Not even close. You'd have to be delusional to consider them a frugal purchase.

The most idiotic thing about all of this though might be the opportunity cost in designing, manufacturing, and selling these for Cane Creek. What could they have done but didn't do while they were putting these together? Who knows, and that's the whole point. They could have done something amazing, they could have done something potentially dumber than titanium cranks, they could have invented another bike component as important as the threadless headset, they could have even revolutionised cranks with a crazy cool, $400 crank made out of an aluminum alloy that is light, stiff, durable, and features their cool spindle design. But instead we got this, clearly a product made by a company in which literally no one understands how to or is willing to say the word "no." As in "No, we aren't producing this idiotic titanium crank that will retail for $1000 USD."

All that said, it's super pretty and I would love a set. But would I buy one? With money? No.
  • 3 1
 @somebikeguy: totally agree. Time to get real. 1000 dollars for a crankset. You can say yes It looks sexy and am rich and I will buy it, but as an investment is of course a stupid one. tech stuff are never an investment.
  • 3 0
 I'm a wealthy titanium baron who owns many mines. These will be excellent for business as we enter into Peak Enduro and get behind the proliferation of the Down Country movement. I just hope supply can keep up with demand.
  • 5 0
 @JamesPA: no way you can enter Down Country. It is dominated by carbon everything. What you need to do is to pay Cane Creek to develop a version of this crankset with brazed lug instead of a weld and market it to wealthy steam punk leauge of fatbikers who ride with drop bars, leather sacks and leaf sprung forks. I advise a few accessories to go with it like: roadie hats, banana holder, beard oils, then ltd. edition IPA sold in stainless steel bottles with compass on the lid. I know a microbrewery sourcing single origin organic hops and recycled sewage water from Portlands wastewater collection and treatment plant.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Great points, all! While the steampunk builders seem to have the leaf-sprung suspension market cornered (and I have no idea how to crack into the beard oil market), my vast network of Ti ore mines are working with Litespeed to build a new hybrid Down Country-Funduro-Fixe type machine designed specifically to tackle the flannel store to microbrewery urban commute. It will be built around the CC cranks and will be machined from a single block of pure titanium. Tentatively called the Ti-PA, we're working to get the cost down into the low 5 figures (USD)- growler cage included.
  • 3 0
 @JamesPA: one block machining is super Enduro and too far tech for bearded avantgardists who seek purest of experiences like drinking fermented black bears urine (which is another common source of fluid for IPA beers apart from non filtered Portlands sewage as the taste would suggest) Invest in lugs and brazing. Trust me. I was also thinking about chainring spider made of mahogny. I must say TiPA is a great name, you got it.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Is this a late aprils fools joke? Titanium isn't a real thing. I think if they were looking to save strength over carbon they would have moved to aluminum instead.
  • 2 0
 When these cranks and an elevin six shock comes out to about 2300 bucks. Add in some envys and you have wheels, shock, and cranks for 5k. What a steal
  • 4 1
 The laughable idea that Kanye EVER made good music confirms your questionable judgement.
  • 6 6
 Bike manufacturers these days are quick to put out a product without long term testing to make a buck! There are so many shitty bike parts products that cost so much! Looking at the so called Hirth joint, that’s just crap, from engineering standpoint, very short product life!
  • 5 6
 actually, they have been testing these very hard for months.I have a few friends who work there and these cane creek boys send it deep. they started on this project because they were breaking every other crank they rode!
  • 6 1
 You know Hirth joints are used on engine crankshafts without wearing out prematurely, right? And in gas turbines? Stop armchair engineering.
  • 1 1
 @riish: tell me which car that have this design, cause I swear I haven't pulled one that had it? That reminds my Ingersoll-Rand impact wrench needs charging!
  • 5 1
 @riish: but gas turbines are super high precision machines, with very specific loading conditions, super high tolerances and vib analysis... with 12pt hardware, lockwire, calibrated torque wrenches, and certified operators. Just because they are in a jet engine, doesn't make them the best for every application. In the unlikely event that there is negligence and the bolt applying the axial load gets loose.. the hirth is going to see more damage than a spline with the same condition. In a perfect world, and in most cases, the hirth will be totally fine, and it looks AWESOME... but people goof, I goof, torque wrenches go out of cal, yada, yada... the difference is, that aerospace calibrates their tools, certifies their hardware and parts and suppliers, and takes their fastener retentions seriously... If I am spending 1k on a crankset, I'd want splines to mitigate that risk.
  • 1 0
 Someone mentions the 90's and immediately I'm reminded of a Santa Cruz Super 8 with Monster T's, XTR and flouro green/yellow Magura Gustav M brakes. God I miss those days, young, single and money to burn.
  • 1 1
 ''Through the course of aggressive riding, you invariably hit your cranks against rocks and other trail features which can cause structural damage to carbon cranks, and can lead to them breaking,'' said Sam Anderson, product manager for Cane Creek. ''Titanium just brushes those hits off, so the eeWings can withstand a lot more abuse than other high-end cranks and not end up structurally compromised or broken,'' he went on to say.

How dumb does this guy think people are? Seriously. Unless those crank arms are solid they can/will break like anything else. They may take more abuse than a carbon crankset, but save your bullshit for your morning dump. A set of Hollowtech Shitmanos are more durable than carbon, and prolly just as durable as these.

They should price these @ $2k so the purchasers feel more special.
  • 2 0
 The kid in me reallys wants a set. For some reason they remind me of the Redline Flights cranks I had on my Team Mongoose BMX bike back in the day.
  • 5 1
 Petty sexy
  • 4 2
 looks f*cking clean and sexy! but $1000?just give me a xtr crank and i would be grateful as f*ck
  • 3 0
 I like Can Creek... I like titanium... but god damned, 999$ ?
  • 2 1
 After reading the first two paragraphs...

“Cane Creek Cycling Components
355 Cane Creek Road
Fletcher, NC USA 28732

Thank you. Your order has been received.“
  • 1 1
 I have two sets of sweet wings for sale to cover this purchase! My Honzo Ti is going to sport these...
  • 3 1
 Those welds are embarrassing to look at. Welded in China or by an armature that doesnt know where to start or finish?
  • 4 1
 I came for the article, statored for the commutators
  • 1 0
 @andrew9: hes pretty wound up
  • 2 0
 I'm into it, but I wouldnt by a crank with the word "CREEK" printed right on the side.
  • 1 0
 Those are the cranks I would put on my Liteville 601 Mk4. Then I would put both on the custom made carbon fibre roof rack of my Lambo and never leave my garage...
  • 6 4
 i haven't seen a weld bead on a crank in forever. Not really my jam. Nor the $1K price tag.
  • 2 0
 Velcro crank arms....with Velcro sided shoes. No need for pedals. One and done.
  • 5 2
 No titanium preload ring? No sale! All or nothing!
  • 2 1
 Unnecessary for a potential wear item. And would easily make it double for everyone else to buy.
  • 1 0
 What is old is new again. I actually remember when the originals came out, so much cool engineering in this setup. Would love to mount a set of these up.
  • 1 0
 So how much do they flex?
aLSO, NEED too, need to make 165mm & 24 Tooth NW CHAINwheel?
PS, RAINBOW COLOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111
  • 3 0
 Lol $1k do they come with Spandex biker shorts ?
  • 2 0
 I just think it's awesome that these are better received than SRAM's stupid new cranks.
  • 1 0
 bike part makers...stil trying to make stiffer stuff...how much stiffer? 20-30% stiffer.
how will that affect power transfer? 30% more...not a chance
  • 4 1
 HA!
  • 1 0
 Hmm, if the "Metal is stronger/ tougher" is going to be a thing, i wonder if i can swap in my Redline 401 flight cranks ?
  • 2 0
 what no Ti chainring? I'd buy these in a second
  • 1 0
 @amrskipro:
Thank you for helping me spend money!
  • 1 0
 A ti chainring makes sense as it wear much longer than alu and steel, and weights less than steel.
  • 1 0
 Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars and Ninety Nine Cents? Um... Race Face Next SL G4 ain't dead yet!
  • 4 1
 Dang!!! $999
  • 3 2
 Is it just me... or, there kinda ugly? Sorry. I mean i like titanium products, but not these.. especially for 1000 beans!
  • 2 0
 Is this April fools?? I feel it's a couple weeks late for that joke lol
  • 4 3
 how 'bout you work on making your current product lineup more reliable, before branching out into other failures. k, thanks.
  • 1 0
 $999 for cranks? I'll buy 10 Shimano XTR cranks and feeling elated COZ I have 9 more.
  • 2 0
 Oh baby these are beautiful!
  • 2 0
 Thats only $2.5 per gram! Bargain!
  • 1 0
 Dream crankset ! But retail price nightmare. Not for me, I've stopped wanking
  • 1 0
 I like where they say it has a 30mm spindle, so it "works with PF92"....hehehe...
  • 2 0
 I’d just settle for some Middleburn
  • 5 0
 I will settle for my Zees and a big chunk of cash to blow on needles and guns.
  • 2 2
 This speaks subtly to what all of us now know, carbon just isn't durable for cranks, at least from the current manufacturers.
  • 2 0
 I love my titanium seatpost on my XC bike Smile
  • 3 2
 Aw man if I had $1K,
Not bad considering these Could be the last crank set you'd ever buy
  • 3 0
 Ye because after that you dont have any money for more
  • 2 0
 Until a new BB standard comes along in say, 18 months.
  • 1 0
 If anyone wants to get rid of their carbon cranks, I'll suffer and take them off your hands.
  • 1 0
 You're so kind. You know what? I'll help you with this one. PM for help getting rid of your ugly shitty fragile carbon crank.
  • 2 0
 Scrolled to comments after reading $999
  • 3 1
 1000$ USD ahahahahahaha bye
  • 3 1
 I was feeling it until I saw price tag of $999, nahh kid, i'll pass.
  • 2 0
 I hope they retail for 928.99.....
  • 1 0
 No problem with any of the carbon cranks I've had, sounds like a bit of carbon hating going on here as usual.
  • 2 0
 they are nice but defo aint a grands worth of metalwork there for sure
  • 1 0
 $100 for shimano slx cranks, add some some mud to your ride and you to can have the same high polish look as well!
  • 1 0
 definitely the best bargain in drivetrain....and simplest mounting interface.
  • 1 0
 Oh my God! I did not know that I could have a hard-on looking at a crankset!!!!!
  • 1 0
 I have 4 year old xx1 cranks and they are still going strong . Only paid $250 WINNING!
  • 2 0
 damn I love Titanium!
  • 2 0
 Q Factor?
  • 1 0
 176, it's in the FAQ on the CC site
  • 1 0
 Anyone want to buy a kidney?
  • 1 0
 Thank you Cane Creek for giving the MTB industry a shot in the ass
  • 1 0
 Very beautiful and very out of my price range. Nice cranks though!
  • 1 0
 Meh.... cooler and better looking aluminium ones out there.
  • 1 0
 I know what I am buying myself and my wife could care less.
  • 1 0
 What a great crankset! RideOn!
  • 2 1
 cant wait to hear some carbon cranks outlasting these
  • 1 0
 I'm still trying to figure out how they make you faster at enduro'ing
  • 3 1
 Cool.
  • 4 3
 you just need to edit the part about kanye ever making good music, mike.
  • 1 0
 Not my cup of tea, but definitely sexy
  • 1 4
 looks like its held on by just the bolt, with no splines on the spindle. I think this is very dumb. just cause campy does something, doesn't make it a good idea, it actually probably means its a pain. ti spindles have a legacy of failing. the material is quite soft. I will not be surprised when the fastening bolt snaps. I would also not be surprised if the arms become dented.
  • 4 4
 I think there were some typos, it should read cane CREEK EEW ing way overpriced crankset. (Buy aluminum ya dummy)
  • 1 0
 Well, fantastic...the cost of dental work just went up.
  • 1 0
 Does it come with a Ti mug?
  • 1 0
 Really nice but, well, hell no!
  • 1 0
 $999!!!!!! Geez well I guess why not lol
  • 1 0
 would look Ti-licious on that Nordest Bardino...yummm
  • 1 0
 Sorry, kids. Disneyland is closed this year.
  • 1 0
 Campy patent on the Hirth joint must have run out.
  • 1 1
 Ti is soft, I’ll stay carbon. $1000 is rigodamndiculous.
  • 1 1
 Saint cranks w purple hope B.B. are prettier
  • 1 2
 Ti is flexy, also turns greenish tint over time. At least it’s recycable!
  • 2 1
 Can CREAK much?!
  • 1 1
 Looks pretty...completely unnecessary and impractical.
  • 1 0
 SWEET!!!!
  • 1 0
 But why?
  • 1 0
 $1000 American wtf Eek
  • 2 2
 Damn, these are sweet.
  • 2 2
 Beautiful.
  • 2 2
 Sold, I'll take a set.
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