PINKBIKE REVIEWS

Review: 1 Year on Cane Creek's Ultra-Light Titanium eeWings Crankset

Mar 20, 2019
by Mike Levy  
Giant Trance Advanced 29 Staff Rides - Mike Levy


There was a collective "Wait, what?" when Cane Creek released their 400-gram, all-titanium crankset last April, and then more of the same when we scrolled down and saw the $999 USD price tag.

It's not completely out of left field - Cane Creek does have a history from way back with a similar looking design - but most of us associate the North Carolina company with stout suspension forks and four-way adjustable Double Barrel shocks.

Cane Creek's eeWings (say ''/ee/-wings'') sport titanium everything; arms, 30mm spindle, pedal insets, and even the fixing bolt and washer are made from the pricey metal. That explains the MSRP, then, with the brushed silver setup going for around twice the price of many carbon fiber cranksets. If you want to be this different, it's going to cost you. Some of those carbon options come pretty close to the eeWings' 400-grams weight, too, but not many get the go-ahead for enduro use like these.

Cane Creek eeWings Details

• Intended use: trail / enduro
• Grade 9 Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium arms
• Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V titanium spindle, Hirth joint, chainring interface, pedal inserts
• 30mm titanium spindle
• 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


Cane Creek eeWings
Much titanium, very little weight. At just 400-grams, the eeWings are very light. At $999 USD, they're also very expensive.


Why Titanium?

Can I take a stab at what you're thinking? How about, "Why would someone pay twice as much money for something that's not carbon fiber and, while very light, only weighs tens of grams less than other airy arms?" Because titanium. And according to Cane Creek, that fact makes them much less likely to end up in multiple pieces when you clang them off of rocks and whatnot. ''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,'' said Sam Anderson, product manager for Cane Creek.
''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.''

Also, look at them. Look.

There are all sorts of other feathery cranksets to choose from, but let's consider two common options: Race Face's Next SL G4 arms and SRAM's XX1 Eagle DUB SL cranks. The former is said to weigh 430-grams, including a 32-tooth direct mount chainring but no bottom bracket, while the carbon Eagle arms come in at a claimed 420-grams with a chainring. XTR? The Race 1x crankset weighs a claimed 474-grams (without any hardware), so they're all in the same ballpark when talking about the scale. But all of those cost around half as much. Oof, they're probably more robust than carbon cranks, sure, but these things are something that you buy with your heart, not your brain.


History Lesson

So, where the hell did these titanium cranks come from? They can be traced back to some crazy looking road bike brakes, and long before that, a two-piece steel crankset from the 1990s that look a hell of a lot like the eeWings. A guy named Craig Edwards came up with the Sweet Wings two-piece crankset back in the mid-90s, and it weighed a very light (for the time) 520-grams and had a press-fit spline on the spindle. 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 Edwards' eeCycleworks and Cane Creek planted the seed for the eeWings that, while being titanium instead of steel, look pretty similar to those original Sweet Wings. It explains the eeWings name, too, with the twin 'e' standing for Edwards Engineering and the rest being a nod to the Sweet Wings.


Cane Creek eeWings
Except for the alloy preload collar, everything is titanium, even the 30mm spindle.


Construction

The arms come in either 170mm or 175mm lengths and are made using Grade 9 Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium, while Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V was chosen for the 30mm spindle, chainring interface, pedal inserts, and the impressive looking Hirth joint. What the hell is that? I didn't know until my buddy, Google, helped me out, and it's apparently a way to join two ends of a shaft, usually via tapered, radial teeth.

Roadies out there might have seen a Hirth joint at the center of Campagnolo's spindle (they've been using it for eons), and the two sides are joined by applying an axial load (from the crank bolt) to cause the radial teeth on each end of the spindle to interlock.


Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek eeWings
The left and right arms use the time-proven Hirth joint to connect.

Cane Creek eeWings
Cane Creek ee Wings
At this point, it'd be silly if the crank bolt (left) wasn't titanium. Chainrings mount via SRAM's X-Sync spline (right).



The preload assembly is the only part of the entire crankset that isn't titanium, but it ain't plastic, either, unlike what's used on some other high-end options. The machined 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.


Giant Trance Advanced 29 Staff Rides - Mike Levy
I briefly considered a bare titanium hardtail frame for the eeWings but then realized that I'd be building a bike around a crankset. Instead, I put them on the Linkage Larry where they've been trouble-free.


Performance

If I were to blindfold most riders and send them out on a bunch of different cranksets, I bet there's very little chance that any of them would notice a real performance difference between the arms. Same goes for these silver beauties, too. They're light as hell, sure, and they're going to feel flex-free to anyone who has less horsepower or less weight than Richie Rude. That's probably you, at least on the watts front.

It's worth noting that Cane Creek says they're 20 to 30-percent stiffer (presumably compared to some carbon cranks), and that they come with a 10-year limited warranty, too.

So the eeWings aren't going to do anything better for you when it comes to outright performance, but I have no trouble believing that a chunk of titanium is going to brush off a pointy piece of granite much easier than so and so's carbon arms covered in a sticker and some clearcoat. I can't recall breaking a carbon crankset, but I've seen it happen and can understand why some riders might be a little gunshy about the whole carbon splinters in their legs thing. That said, I'll happily run carbon cranks (or handlebar) - I don't share the same fear - but I can see why you might not.

Anyway, I've had the eeWings on the trail since April of last year, and on a few different bikes now as well, all without a hint of trouble. They're still dead-straight, and while they certainly look used, I like the matte finish that's developing. You can easily turn up the shine with some Scotchbrite, too. Can't say that about your plastic cranks, can you?

Cane Creek recommends a good slathering of ti-prep, which I did during the quick and simple installation, and both the Hirth joint and the direct-mount chainring interface have been groan-free since the first day. The titanium crank bolt calls for a big ol' 10mm hex key instead of the 8mm that you'd usually see, so you'll probably want to pick one of those up if you don't have one in your toolbox. Either way, the bolt stayed snug.

As with any crankset, you can get some heel rub if you're cleats are positioned a certain way, but I didn't have any contact with my ankle bones. That hurts like hell when it happens, so I'm always happy when it doesn't.
Giant Trance Advanced 29 Staff Rides - Mike Levy. Photo by Jason Lucas
A few minutes with a Scotchbrite pad can bring the shine out.

Cranksets are a tough one to review if I'm completely honest. You know, they didn't bend, they're stiff, and I trust them more than carbon arms. I could say the same thing about a few other cranks out there, however, so you're going to really want some titanium in your life to justify these gorgeous things.



Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesI'm going on eleven months with the eeWings and haven't had an issue, but given their price, I'd be massively disappointed if anything did come up. They seem to be essentially flawless, but that $999 USD sticker looks absolutely batty next to cranksets that are within a handful of grams and cost half as much. But look at them. Look. Do you hear your brain talking, or is it your heart?— Mike Levy






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237 Comments

  • + 198
 It's really hard to trust the message about a product from someone who runs to a fork like that, but still a good review.
  • + 25
 These guys have had so much access to so many bike parts they can delusionally tell themselves their is actually a future for linkage forks because they are so bored with what actually works
  • - 4
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 20, 2019 at 5:13) (Below Threshold)
 @thesharkman: let's hope it is not in-line with quality standards of their other product...
  • + 1
 trust the message... hahahaha
  • + 9
 @WAKIdesigns: That was a true maybe like 2-3 years back, since the new inners, everything works perfectly and the performance is outstanding. Well never listen to Specialized when they push you to come out with a product when you know it is not ready.
  • - 1
 @bok-CZ: it is not so simple. Cane Creek themselves have said that servicing in-line shocks requires lab-like sterility, they said "even a small hair can compromise the system". So well... come on. No hard feelings there, I have CCDB Coil CS, serviced by an excellent local workshop and it is stellar. But releasing a product which fails due to a hair sounds just silly. I am glad they sorted it out. It was a pun - joke from my side to start with Wink
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Yeah I know it was a pun. But I also know how good the shocks are and it´s a pitty they disappointed in the beginings. Interesting. And also I am as you the lucky one with a great service guy in a shop nearby. Lucky for me as I got I think the first piece which came to local distribution...trust me the first season was bloody f*ck*d up and I was at the service almost each time I used CS, always the same - air in negative chamber... I got like 2 or 3 new shocks...always the same. But dude while it was working fine it was unbelievable smooth, sucked to the ground and it turned my Spitfire into DH rig. So I haven´t surrended and was always like...hmmmm I will give it another try, I don´t know what else should I buy.
Then with the new inners, all year long without a touch

On the other hand Fox had also many troubles and I don´t see so many complaints about (on PB, here in Czech we make fun of the local official service point mostly) and people are still getting back to them.
  • + 1
 Thats me me proper lol! Even though i really like the fork.
  • + 1
 "It's really hard to trust the message about a product from someone who runs to a fork like that, but still a good review."

Or drives that car...
  • + 4
 @mkotowski1: There's certainly some truth to most stuff working so well (for its intended use) that it's exciting/interesting when someone tries something different, even if it's not a new approach.
  • + 2
 @mkotowski1: you keep tilting at windmills while the future approaches. LOL you could pick up your comment here, replace a few nouns and transport it back to 1885 and it would sound exactly like someone talking about the horseless carriage.
  • + 4
 @mikelevy: what sort of Down Country specific abomination of a pedal is that?!
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Those are just my inexpensive and old iSSi trail pedals that I had to use temporarily while I was waiting for some new testers from Crankbrothers. The Look's that were on there stopped holding my feet in.
  • + 2
 @mikelevy: I would not be surprised if cleat on top, flat below was suddenly a thing... or is it Downduro?
  • + 4
 @WAKIdesigns: that's an absolutely terrible idea. they exist and they suck for both uses. much like a USB, it's never in the position you need it in at the time.
  • + 1
 @conoat: U NO parlare!
  • + 2
 @conoat: I think he is being sarcastic...
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: so first you say their standard of quality is bad and then you say no it's great as you have one of their shocks.... You just talk for talkings sake. Bei uns nennt man das Scheiße Labern.
  • + 6
 @wakiisapuddinghead: God day Sir, in chronological order for you

1.thesharkman makes a pun using trust Message fork
2.It goes over Mkotowski's head (ruining the potential)
3.I wanted to save the pun train by joinin a carriage where I joke about their warranty catastrophe with In-Line shocks.
4.bok-CZ wonders whether I mean anything bad about Cane Creek.
5.I explain to him it was a joke in fact I like the company.

Is anything unclear? I am happy to help
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: we having a saying all around the world. And you are full of it.
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: PS you never specified their other product... Be specific.. You're a winger. It's in the name
  • + 1
 @wakiisapuddinghead: why would you say that?
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: you know you've made it when there are hate accounts created only for you haha
  • + 60
 I have some. I can't argue with anyone about the price, but I love them. When we got the first set in at Cotic it was like the suitcase opening scene in Pulp Fiction.

To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, "I LOVE owning them. They are SO choice. If you have the means I highly recommend picking some up"
  • + 9
 I've been running cheap cranks for a while now because I like to test out the density of rocks with my cranks and carbon just wasn't on the menu. I think I may just reward my decade of frugality with a set of these, they're stupid, but so, so cool. I'm also getting the purple anno Paul dropper level, again, stupid, and awesome
  • + 11
 Love your take man, and super bonus points for Ferris Bueller quote.
  • + 45
 Honestly I don't think they look good. They look oldschool (cool) but out of place... I think Race Face SIXC/Next R, new Shimano XTR or SRAM X0 look better, cost half as much and feel identical while weighing roughly the same.
  • + 50
 one could argue that making a crankarm out of carbon is a mistake in the first place with SRAm and RF being possibly worst in the business. Loose pedal insert is the main cause of death across the board and is more than common. R possibly stands for Replacement in NextR name. Price to quality ratio of SLX at 70€ For crank arms is unbeatable. GX is next up the line but the looks are in the eye of beholder... Those CC cranks may not fit a fancy modern carbon bike like a Yeti, but they will last forever.
  • + 8
 My good ol’ Hussefelts are still running after ten years of abuse, and will run another twenty. Frames come and go, these cranks stay - the only part that’s never changed in my bikes.
  • + 10
 @ORAORA: how are you hussefelt bottom brackets doing? Big Grin
  • + 5
 @WAKIdesigns: actually now that Deores have hollow arms, their price:quality beats SLX Wink
  • + 12
 Depending on where you're coming from, you may like the looks of them or not. I like tubular BMX cranks like Profile makes them. This is right up there.
  • - 1
 @mnorris122: Deores have hollow arms since like 2008 or something. The only thing pissing me off with Shimano cranks is that it took them so many years to make a spiderless design.
  • + 7
 @WAKIdesigns: I"ve beaten the crap out of my XO carbon cranks for two seasons. Nothing is loose.
  • - 7
flag usedbikestuff (Mar 20, 2019 at 5:28) (Below Threshold)
 @WAKIdesigns: Woah woah woah, loose pedal insert is the main cause of death? I would love to see any sort of factual based evidence that anyone has ever spent ANY time analyzing cyclist death due to equipment failure. Lots of opinion in that statement with zero facts.
  • + 2
 @hamncheez: you know how many Enve rims are out there with same caption. Just google X0 cranks. The thing is that they are not any more durable than some of the cheapest alu cranks, they are no more than 100g lighter and they age awfully. I sold my XX1 for 100€ in case they were about to die, since they were in a bad shape after 2 years, and the dude who got them from me, killed them in a matter of a year. The very concept of a crank shoe speaks for itself.
  • + 4
 @hamncheez: One thing I like about these is that they are going to look the same forever. I guess the same can be said for the SRAM carbon cranks, but not any metal cranks that are painted or anodised.

The new XTR look sexy when new but I saw some on a bike check article and they were pretty scuffed.
  • + 2
 unfortunately I'm a racerboi...so I am a sucker for weight and durability claims. I will have a pair for the next trail bike. the promise of moving them from bike to bike for years is my logic. 1 purchase, 5+ maybe 10 years of bad ass performance as they move from bike to bike. I am assuming Boost BB width will be stable enough to keep me on these for a while.
  • - 3
 @jaame: I have 2012 XT cranks in silver. “Puts his shades back on” Big Grin
  • + 3
 @ORAORA: I've always worn out the spline on my Hussefelts. Develop rotational play after a season of hard riding...
  • + 1
 @hamncheez: my gx n xo's are all a few years old and issue free. I do believe these titanium cranks would be a good investment. Every time my timing is off and I make a pedal strike I am always amazed that the carbon does fubar.
  • + 11
 @usedbikestuff: “Lots of opinion in that statement with zero facts.” You must be new here, this is the internet.
  • + 3
 @WAKIdesigns: my experience is that there are two types of GXP BB's:
Those that for an unknown reason seem to last forever (I have one on a 2008 hardtail still going strong without a creak or any play).
And those that die every couple of months (seem more frequent). Sometimes worsened by improper torquing, after which no amount of torquing or superglue can fix them.
  • + 13
 @usedbikestuff: he means death of the crankset, not actual death of a person.
  • + 2
 @ORAORA: I know what you mean. I had a pair of 2004 Saints that saw 4 bikes before being retired.... for another Saint. Although I am bringing them back to life in a retro DJ build this summer....... I had a pair of SRAM XO carbon cranks that snapped within a week.
  • - 4
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 20, 2019 at 6:28) (Below Threshold)
 @Mac1987: Hussefelt GXP? I thought it was a constant battle with ISIS
  • + 0
 @Kainerm:

Maybe i am just lucky, my other bike had RF Aeffect and then Atlas, in either case splines gave up after a season of riding. Crank bolts were torqued according to spec.

@WAKIdesigns:
Swapping bb every two years beause the bearings develop small play, and i can get new bb for $15 anytime. If only i could lay my hands on imperial sizing bearings used in Howitzer... And the sealing quality in the newer BB’s ia nowhere near Howitzer - uou can find fresh bits of grease (a fine calcium grease i might add) the bearings even after a year full of mud riding and pressure washing.
  • - 1
 I agree with you, I don't see the appeal of these at all. Even if they were less than other aluminum cranksets, I think they look very odd and still wouldn't be looking to buy a set.
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: The new non-series black "XTR" cranks are sweet, and probably my next crank, if the XTs ever die. Unfortunately, they released after the you could get Shimano at half MSRP overseas.
  • + 2
 The looks are definitely subjective (I think they look mint), and if the word cost is in your comment, these definitely aren't the cranks for you.
  • + 1
 @usedbikestuff: Death of the crank arm, not the rider.
  • - 1
 Ya but if you weight more then 180lb don't buy a Next, Seen few of them broke with no impact and just the weight of the rider! i love carbon! wheel , bar, frame . just don't think Carbon as places in the crank. Saying that will never spend 1000$ USD for a crank so i happy with my trubine!
  • + 3
 @dutflip: Next R I think fixes that? I have a lot of experience with the SIXC and had no issues, probably around 100-125 days in the Whistler Bike Park and shuttling and I weigh 215lbs... granted less pedaling than a trail bike and a 165mm short length BUT the amount of abuse those things took on hard landings, crashes and rock strikes...
  • + 5
 @gramboh: Same here. I have a 3-year old set of SixC's that have seen endless Colorado bike park laps, as well as 6 trips to Whistler. Super solid. I even have them on my trail bike since they are super light and seem much more reliable than the Next series or any Sram X0 carbon cranks
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: You mean the original, and slightly less evil, ISIS?
  • + 1
 @ReformedRoadie: I think ISIS is still a standard on some gearboxes, e-bike motors and unicycles. Not sure if it is all the same standard. But I suppose it should be considering they must call it a standard for a reason.
  • - 1
 @gramboh: well that was just last fall from brand new crank ! as of the Sixc , i dont se the point of paying top $$$ for a crank that almost weight the same as alloy crank
  • + 0
 Sram XO XX etc. and eeWings have something in common. Both made in china.
  • + 0
 I don't mind the way they look, but would prefer black or a range of colors. Can they anodize titanium? Never seen that.
  • + 2
 Gotta agree here. It's the bare metal look that would be out of place on most bikes...more than say, the shape of them...
  • + 1
 @RedRedRe: is nt most bike part made in china?
  • + 2
 @hamncheez:

I had a few years on xo carbon cranks. Ends of the arms all bamged up from many many rock strikes, and wore into the carbon a mm or two from shoe rub, they were hucked plenty and went through a few bb’s but the arms held up till i retired them.
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: @WAKIdesigns: off topic, cranks not rims
  • + 2
 ohh see where that could go?
  • + 1
 @getsomesy: You do know they have crank arm protectors to protect the ends of crank arms? They work like a charm.
  • + 2
 @ReformedRoadie: yes... but I am afraid in the age of triggered offence it could go over some people’s heads...
  • + 1
 @usedbikestuff: bruh.....he is talking about the death of the crank. lmao

but hey, don't let me or facts get in the way of your outrage!
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Smile
  • + 1
 @ReformedRoadie: FYI I read on Bike Rumor yesterday that the MT900 non series cranks have now ceased production. It was just a stop gap while they ramped up production of the 9100.
If you want the MT900 I would suggest you get one sooner rather than later because the price is sweet. It looks like basically an M8000 with a DM ring. Still has the pinch bolts even.
  • + 0
 @dutflip: most bikes parts don’t cost like a bike
  • + 2
 @RedRedRe: dude i wish my bike only cost a 1000$ !
  • + 0
 @jaame: just like m9000 it will will look like crap within 3 months unless you remove the anode on the outside face yourself. Tape won’t work since there is a grove in the middle and dirt will get under it, looking even worse. Maybe if you clip in with slim shoes and shim out the pedals a bit. The M9000 crankset was a crime against XTR legacy
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: cc wings on your shoulder.
  • + 2
 @WAKIdesigns: I think tape could be made to work. What I did to my xt m8000s was, cut three layers of clear vinyl in different sizes to give thickness where needed, and to protect the whole surface. WHen I sold the bike, I took it off and the cranks literally looked almost new.
This groove would make taping more difficult but I think with several thin layers it could be done to an acceptable standard.
  • + 2
 @jaame: I get it. You can even try to find a tape that shrinks when torched. But when you pay for XTR... it should come with a solution to a problem where crankset looks like crap after 3 months... out of the box. It should apply on XT level already. I really could not give a damn about aesthetical qualities of having a grove in the crank arm. No Carbon crank has it and Hope that has it, comes with polished logo surface where the paint/anodizing on the crank arm is likely to get worn out
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: actually I prefer an almost flat smooth surface like a pebble.
The reason is because I have gashed my ankle bones too many times.
I had a set of huzzefelt cranks before and the huzzefelt writing was forged in with a very sharp square edge, about 2mm proud of the surface. Very much like the blade on a horizontal miller or in an industrial juicer. Thoose cranks carved chunks off both ankles. Never again!
  • + 3
 I guess comments under the press release of Next SL prove my effing point...
  • + 1
 @WAKIdesigns: yep!
  • + 45
 Has it really been a year since I couldn't afford them? How time flies...
  • + 29
 "If I were to blindfold most riders and send them out on a bunch of different cranksets, I bet there's very little chance that any of them would notice a real performance difference between the arms."

Most likely because, when riding blindfolded, my cranks would be the last thing I was concentrating on.
  • + 2
 Ha! awesome!
  • + 1
 LOL’d at that one for sure! hahaha
  • + 1
 What a gem
  • + 19
 These cranks meet my number one objective which is to quickly and easily demonstrate my large amount of disposable income. And of course the stiffness. Stiffness is very important. Why yes that is a Patek on my wrist. Bet you have never seen one in person have you.
  • + 11
 What's a Patek? Is that like a Rolex for rich people?
  • + 4
 For someone who thinks stiffness is important, I'd not be advertising having a "wibblywobbly". There are pills for that.
  • + 6
 Even knowing what a Patek is indicates to me that you're in a different tax bracket. I gathered it was a nice watch but I still Googled it to be sure.
  • + 1
 Patek is for middle class rich people!

here is what you are looking for! www.greubelforsey.com
  • + 10
 Am I missing something about the weight here? The article suggests that these are lighter than the carbon alternatives however it also states that Eagle cranks are 420 g with a chain ring. The 400 g quoted in the article for the cane creeks without a chainring so unless some one is knocking out 20 g chainrings these cranks would be tens of grams heavier...not lighter than other airy arms.

Or am I missing something entirely?
  • + 12
 @mikelevy For those of you finding them too pretty, I thought I'd run them on this bike to distract your eye.
  • + 9
 Your not just buying a crank with these, your buying a 10 year warranty!!!
No one offers that kind of service, these are cranks for a bike, there for many bikes you might own over the years...

It’s a shit tonne of money but over 10 years a lot of ppl will have spent more on cranks fir there bikes
  • + 55
 In 10 years, the "standards" will have changed 9 times, give or take...
  • + 16
 Idk, I had a Cane Creek 110 headset with a magical 110 year warranty which I later found out magically covered nothing after emailing about a messed up bearing.
  • - 2
 The ironic bit is that of all cranksets, and most bike products in general, it is highly unlikely that you will ever need to use this privilege
  • + 3
 I'm running one pair of Siant cranks for over 10 years, still going strong!!
  • + 3
 @FSaldanha: False, it used to be that you couldn't use one type of crank on a different type of bottom bracket. cross-compatibility has never been better and nothing is really out of date anymore. if you wanted to put a square-taper into a bb30 frame, you could these days. that wasn't possible just a few years ago.
  • + 1
 @FSaldanha: Couldn't agree more with you !
  • + 0
 @usedbikestuff: True that, but still......
  • + 2
 @FSaldanha: This. I don't ever plan to be able to keep anything past 5 years thanks to changing standards.
  • + 2
 @FSaldanha: Call me when someone offers a warranty against standards changing.
  • + 10
 Every time I see these a little bit of wee seeps out, absolutely beautiful
  • + 7
 Please stop. One of my buddies has them and I swear, I'm going to break into his house and steal them! Well that and maybe the Oakley glass retail case. Saw the originals at the Cactus Cup years ago and picked up a second hand pair. They had some bugs, but it looks like these have worked it out. Maybe it's time to go on the ramen diet????
  • + 9
 Would somebody like to explain the cost? I can buy a Kinddom Vendetta X2 Ti frame for the same price as these cranks.
  • + 13
 Price is set according to what people will pay and is only loosely related to cost.
  • + 8
 I’m not a metallurgist or production expert, but forging this crankset and machining that linkage thing seems trickier from a manufacturing standpoint than sourcing some titanium tubes and welding a frame together.
  • - 8
flag wythall1 Plus (Mar 20, 2019 at 7:56) (Below Threshold)
 @Altabird: It was a rhetorical question.
  • + 8
 Total number of North Carolina dentists divided into number of teeth pulled per quarter
  • + 12
 @Altabird: I am a machinist, and it’s not. Making the prototype and designing fixturing was maybe a little pricey but there’s no hidden magic in cranking *ehem* these out.
  • + 12
 @Rucker10 thanks for knowing what you’re talking about AND not being mean to me.
  • + 9
 I'd buy a Chro Mo version in a heart beat An I'm a massive pinch bolt fan
  • + 8
 Just get Profile’s... tup
  • - 1
 @Skootur: not as pretty as these
  • + 6
 @Skootur: I have the Profile Elite cranks with the Ti spindle and they are the shit! Oh yeah,and half the price.
  • + 1
 @nug12182: What kind of bike do you run them on?
  • + 2
 @nug12182:
Love the look of profile, but over twice the weight Frown
  • + 4
 @MTBrent: I got them on a Chromag Stylus
  • + 1
 @nug12182: Awesome, thanks. Interested in a set for my Nimble 9.
  • + 5
 Just curious. Does saving weight on cranks matter much? People like to have the center of mass near the bb and it isn't like the cranks are rotating that fast when riding nor are they particularly big. Nothing against these cranks in particular, just curious whether saving weight on cranks matters that much anyway.
  • + 2
 As a clipless rider, I kind of think of the crank as being part of my shoe, and it seems to me a lighter shoe is easier on the upstroke; therefore a lighter crank is going to be more efficient for pedaling. I think it's a great place to save weight.
  • + 8
 @Lokirides: On the upstroke, isn't there another part going down balancing it all out?
  • + 2
 @vinay in general saving mass in a rotational body is better if your taking about watts. Specifically reducing its moment of inertia. Agreed you do want the center of mass low but in general would not add weight their to achieve it. It’s a better solution to concentrate items lower if that’s what you are going for. Like shock and suspension bits low. I know there are some people adding ballast to the bb to get the cg lower but just doesn’t make snese to me unless you couldn’t pedal or you were an airplane, rocket or boat where your cg and center of pressure relationship is very important to the stability of vehicle. Adding mass also makes your brakes and suspension work harder. I think some people just like the feel of a heavier bike cause that’s what they are use to. Which rider comfort is super important.
  • + 1
 Overall weight still matters, but the 20g you save by spending $500 more dollars doesn't.
  • - 2
 @vinay: Sort of, but not really. If you have an efficient pedal motion, your other foot will not so much be "pushed" up by the other side going down, but rather it's being picked up by your muscle memory. That's (to me) one of the chief benefits of clipless pedals, after all - that I can add power to my stroke through 360 vs 180 degrees. That, and foot security on the pedals.
I don't think light cranks provide a massive boost to pedaling efficiency, but I do like really long rides / races (60+ miles of Pisgah) and think any minuscule boost in efficiency / power adds up to a significant amount over the long run.
  • + 1
 Depending on the crank you have, a crank upgrade is often one of the lower hanging fruit for weight weenies, after things like wheels and tires.
  • + 0
 @Lokirides: Thanks for your response. I don't know, I don't think one foot pushes the other up even though I'm on platforms. Just like walking, it isn't just the leading foot pushing the trailing foot off the ground. I lift the trailing foot myself. I may not add power through 360 degrees but I can stomp down pretty hard so that may be well over 90deg. And possibly a bit for the forwards and rearwards bits. With two feet, that still makes it close to the 360deg. But yeah as you mention for marathon racers and people doing really long rides, it may be a place to cut some rotating mass. Just wondering as the motion of the small cranks look relatively slow compared to that of the faster spinning wheel, if you are actually pedaling and not coasting/pumping that is. Two years ago I upgraded from 2004 Shimano LX cranks (octalink bb) to Truvativ Ruktion (with Howitzer bb). I think the Shimano cranks were lighter but I am not really feeling anything. Next time I swap cranks again, I'll try to be a bit more mindful to see whether I notice any difference. Cheers!
  • + 8
 No one can justify $999 for cranks, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
  • + 7
 @mikelevy you should have go like a true OG and make a one liner review to give justice to this beatiful, beautiful, beatiful thing Smile
  • + 8
 "Also, look at them. Look. " it would be enough for complete review
  • + 6
 So when will they be available in 165mm as who wants too buy 1k cranks that get struck on every rock?
I think more people want 165mm than 170mm anyway
  • + 4
 On what planet?
  • + 3
 @Lokirides: What planet are you from?
  • + 4
 definitely, either 165 or 160. i could clear so many local climbs better when i went from 170s to 165s
  • + 1
 165s ride way better for me too, and 6ft tall so it doesn't have to do with height. Less rock strikes, they seem to spin quicker, and easier to manual when your feet are closer to the bb.
  • + 2
 Or, you know... line choice.
  • + 3
 Why do companies keep saying cank stiffness results in more pedal energy to the back wheel? Patently false statement by people without a fundamental understanding of mechanics.
The internal strain energy storage efficiency of the material is what determines the lost pedal energy, a crank that flexes simply stores the energy in the crank strain then releases it.
  • + 1
 THIS^^^

Thumbs down on this hype train...
  • + 5
 Dear PB, can you make it so Waki's posts don't get collapsed no matter how much downvote? I mean we all go read them anyway just to see what we missed...
  • + 3
 Guys. Hold. The. Phone. Everyone is ragging on the price tag but Levy didn't mention an available upgrade which makes the price SO worth it. Forget the regular eeWings. Could I interest you in a set of eeWings...AND...a Stages power meter built in? Bargain price of $1999 CAD.
  • + 2
 A friend sold me his XO1 crankset, it was a bargain, but I intalled them on my gravel bike, my slash has too low BB I´m always hitting rocks, carbon cranks would be a waste of money... if someday I don´t know what to do with U$1.000... I´ll buy those cranks
  • + 2
 Unless I'm misinformed, RF Next SL G4s are discontinued because of quality issues, so that leaves you with SRAM XX1 with a two year warranty and SRAM's dubious reliability. I don't know, but eeWings seem like the best investment for someone looking for ultra light cranks.
  • + 2
 Lusted after those Sweet Wings way back when I started riding mtb. The steel had some kind of polymer clear coat IIRC which prevented rust. I never saw a set in person (growing up in HI you miss a lot of stuff) but Mountain Bike Transaction magazine made me feel inadequate for not having some.
  • + 5
 They're BEAUTIFUL! What else do you need to know? The price tag? No need to rub that to my poor face..
  • + 3
 I grabbed a set on a sweet deal. It's not about anything beyond a bitching set of cranks because you can. The last time I checked value of MTB anything sucked so live free and customize the shit out of your bikes dudes.
  • + 4
 @mikelevy You get it- a pleasure to read as always and entertaining to boot. A big reason why I keep following this site is gems like this. Cheers!
  • + 1
 I have them. If anyone here who runs carbon rims made a negative comment about these you should reconsider your position. I was all hot on carbon rims till I saw 7 wheels catastrophically fail in one day at a bikepark. That's money down the drain...
  • + 4
 I think this review hits the nail on the head. Titanium doesn't make any sense, except it just does. End of argument!
  • + 1
 The Next cranks break often.
The CF Sram cranks break occasionally (they have lasted about 4 years for me).
The aluminum Shimano cranks are probably the most common sense choice.
But the Eewings really are nice and can be purchased on sale quite easily, making them maybe the last set of cranks you'll need. I have a set and am definitely a fan.
Signed, your Dentist.
  • + 1
 They are noticeably stiffer cranks. I think most people that can maintain some even slightly above ave power could feel that. I’m still deciding if they’re worth the price tag? But they should last forever...

That said, the Stages Power meter option won’t clear some frames. Bummer
  • + 1
 Are these made in the US or China?
Long term test for ti crank should be 5+ years, however it is good they have lifetime warranty.
Since they went trough the trouble to copy the Campagnolo spindle,-which is the best- I am not sure why they did not split the spindle in the middle? Better pre-load, cranks spin more freely, longer bearing life, stiffer/less torsion, more durable? I change my bb bearing on Campy cranks every 20/25k km.

I think this style preloader is better in nylon/plastic. Rotor preload is metal as well (and should work with RF) and it is harder to adjust than the RF.
  • + 0
 They are made in North Carolina
  • + 0
 @undrtow218: Where did you read that? I am pretty sure these are made in china or asia anyhow.
  • + 0
 @RedRedRe: Cane Creek is based in NC and most if not all of their products are made in house. I could be wrong though.
  • + 2
 @undrtow218: They are made in Taiwan at ORA Engineering. Many high end Ti parts and frames are made there as well. They are QC'd and assembled in NC
  • + 1
 What high end frames and parts ORA makes? Salsa? Jones? Motobecane? High end ti would be moots, potts, nevi, legend, eriksen, crips.
  • + 4
 Looks like my wallet might be getting a little lighter. I definitely have a habit of not listening to my brain...
  • + 3
 idiot rider here. I have a pair, they're gorgeous, super light and stiff, and they have a TEN YEAR warranty.
  • + 1
 They do look nice, 10 year warranty is against Mfg defect no wear and tear abuse or crash's, so if they just fail. CC do realize they are for Mountain biking!!!!, of course they will be bashed and crashed what else are mountain bikes for. Don't buy for the warranty, buy just cause you are irrational and like nice looking things, and have extra money to throw around.
  • + 0
 I feel that points are lost for that spline interface. Do you want your axle break right at where the bearing sits? I say a better design is a through-axle like shimano cranks, also minus the pre-load collar and save $350 on production costs and get a more reliable system. Specialized did a similar axle-connecting design on one of their older carbon cranks and i remember it was completely shitty.
  • + 0
 EE wings are hollow so are my XT's EEwings are silver so are my XT's where the paint is rubbed off, I can buy a nice fork for the price of EE wings, and at the rate of change they will be obsolete in three years, then you can put them on your winter bike.
  • + 1
 I bashed a carbon XX crank enough times to have the pedal insert come loose. It did probably take 4 years . If you have some squeaking you can't find it's something to check. Now I run crank boots.
  • + 4
 I almost hate to admit that if I had the spare cash, I'd buy em'
  • + 4
 Sam here. Necessary? No. Budget friendly? No. Sexy AF? 100% Yes!!
  • + 1
 Some people strive to have an expensive watch or car.... Anyone on PB? eeWings.
  • + 2
 Sweet wings 520 grams. Steel, much more cost effective than titanium? Only 120 gram penalty?
BRING BACK SWEET WINGS....
No Brainer
  • + 1
 Mike, nice review with the exception of forgetting the very important Q-factor in the Specs and mentioning it in the review. I was considering these until I saw the Clydesdale Q-factor.
  • + 0
 I like having cranks that can come apart with a standard multi-tool and very little effort (my old deore's are still yet to have any issues after thousands of miles including years of dirt jumping etc.). Annoying to see the 10mm bolt.
  • + 0
 Admittedly, I haven't read through all the comments here. I called it a day after the first kjillion.

While I'm certainly not a pro rider who pushes a bike to its structural limits and does 1000 situps in my spare time, I've been doing my best to ride my 2015 Rocky Mountain Edge into the ground, and it simply won't quit. It's become a bit of an experiment of sorts lately, where aside from chain lube I've been doing no maintenance of any kind at all to it and it's still silent. I've ridden it daily all winter (and obviously for the rest of the year) long for 4 years now, have foolishly taken it downhilling in Squamish and at Silver Star in Vernon, as well as the almost daily trip up and down Knox Mountain in my backyard in Kelowna.

Maybe I just lucked out and got a fantastically built bike or something, but I can't imagine spending $1000 on cranks when my budget level ones are still going strong....
  • + 3
 They were only $500 last week if you were willing to blindly commit to the purchase via a Cane Creek email.
  • + 2
 My brain has my heart on this one. None of my bikes warrants such a product but, more importantly, neither of my legs does either...
  • + 1
 if it was new tech or they had re invented the crank arm i could understand the price but its to much for a component that has been around since the beginning of fucking time !
  • + 4
 I'd never ride carbon fibre cranks or handle bar just sayin
  • + 1
 Not even if you got them for free?
  • + 2
 @aljoburr: nope.
  • + 1
 Are overly stiff cranks not harsh ? I think my xt cranks are already pretty stiff. I def feel vibrations and hits coming truh the pedals on some long rocky descents.
Cant loose many watts either..
  • + 2
 My xt crankset is almost indistructible and work hard front several year... I can't see any hearth reason to buy them. I love my used and abused crankset.
  • + 2
 $999 is an SLX drivetrain and brakeset installed at any LBS.
That is a trustifarians rig if ever there is one, rock on Levy.
  • + 1
 I'd love to have an excuse to buy this. Price doesn't bother me at all. They would last me till the end of my natural life. But I have my XTRs and they just refuse to fail me Frown .
  • + 0
 I heard the new pre-production XTR cranks had some issues. Maybe you can get some of these first so that they fail and you can buy the CC cranks.
  • + 2
 unfortunate that they only come in the longer options, especially with all the bb heights and everything pushing the bleeding edge of long low slack.
  • + 0
 What is low bb and long tt excatly pushing? You realize nowdays bikes are designed this way to be easier to handle rather than more capable? Lots of people woke up mtbikes in the past couple fo years
  • + 1
 @RedRedRe: more pedal strikes....
  • + 1
 @RedRedRe: duh...
  • + 1
 Interesting note the last Cane Creek Mystery Box got you your choice of eeWings set for $500, but yeah, I'm still never getting these Big Grin
  • + 1
 They are nice and can take a beating, but the price is prohibitive. If they were similar price to carbon, it would be more interesting.
  • + 1
 If you blindfold a bunch of riders they wouldn’t have much time to be able to try and tell the difference. They’d probably be dead.
  • + 3
 @mikelevy sells his cranks and buys a new mini
  • + 0
 A doner!
  • + 1
 I chose the XTR over this a little bit of gram difference isn’t going to kill anyone, and if your a gram whore go take a piss and there your grams go down the bush
  • + 1
 Little known fact. You can polish plastics and polymers using a piece of soft toilet paper and some toothpaste I've kept my carbon cranks/bars/etc. shiny this way for years.
  • + 1
 @mikelevy your bike setup is punk as füq. Props for throwing loads in the faces of the status quo!
  • - 1
 I was recommended standard Truvativ Descendant cranks by my bike shop. They pedal extremely well, (I think the bottom bracket is very good) but the actual crank arms look thin, and fragile as a twig to me.
  • + 2
 I'd rather have another bike thanks. Razz Wink
  • + 1
 I 100% don't need these but I 100% want them. Also wonder if a Chromoly version will come out priced like Profile cranks?
  • - 2
 Did @mikelevy pay retail for these... Or any money at all? If you didn't, would you spend your hard earned CAD's on these? I think you should have mentioned that in that fact in the review. They are grossly overpriced. They make CC look greedy AF!
  • + 2
 They're only overpriced to you. Oh, and me. No, I wouldn't buy them but a lot of other people have. Are $500 cranks overpriced? $300 cranks? $100 cranks? Depends on who you ask.
  • + 1
 How do you know they are overpriced? Do you know how much they cost to make? I would like to know how much they cost to make so please let us all know.
  • - 2
 @mikelevy: Yes, $500 cranks are overpriced imo. And yes it depends on who you ask. I still think this product makes CC look greedy AF! Next time I'm looking for a shock, fork, headset, etc... This greedy BS will probably send me looking elsewhere. Maybe CC doesn't give two sh*ts about a poor mofo like me? Cheers Mike
  • - 1
 @JudyYellow: Common sense.
  • + 2
 @mtbyoda: I don’t recall seeing CC at the top of the Fortune 500. I think it’s safe to say that if they’re greedy they’re doing it wrong.
  • + 1
 @mtbyoda: no they don't think of guys like you. But happy you, Shimano does with they Deore cranks. Have a look at those, have fun riding them and afterwards you can keep complaining about your miserable income.
  • - 1
 @DrPete: I don't believe there is a single bike related company on the top of the Fortune 500. And I also don't believe not being on the list means they can't be greedy? But you would probably know better then me. You're probably rockin' the precious metal cranks on all your bikes Doc.
  • - 2
 @Muckal: I'm more of an XT, blue collar, salt of the earth type. Not into jewelry or precious metals. I might be poor, but I'm far from miserable. So many blessings in my life that have nothing to do with $$.
  • - 1
 These are gorgeous, probably the best looking crank on the market IMHO. Super expensive but let’s be honest one part of mountain biking is stunting with the gear you got when you show up to the trailhead haha
  • + 1
 My thoughts on $1k cranks...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_ze_vmlj8

Neg prop away...
  • + 1
 can´t hear my brain anymore, my heart is screaming: BUY, they match your ti handlebars, BUY!!!
  • + 2
 What's wrong with building a bike around a crankset?
  • + 1
 That's a niche product for passionate dentists. Would look great on a titanium frame. I wish I was a dentist. Definitely.
  • + 2
 When you get it for free....
  • + 1
 bet these will never end up in the sale items.....ill just print a pic of them and stick it on my wall
  • + 1
 Tingles my fancy bearing parts and all. But for the girls I ride with, I'll use what I gots. Triflow and go.
  • + 1
 I'm trying to do the same build. What BB did you use for the Giant Trance?
  • + 1
 @cy-cotic I hear ya. I had the same 'suitcase' moment with mine! Lol
  • + 1
 These things still look sweet. I held a pair and almost ran off with em...
  • + 0
 say ''/ee/-wings'' - that doesnt make it any clearer at all. Is it e...e...wings or eeeeeeeeeewings or e...ewings?
  • - 2
 I think it is completely ridiculous to charge 1K for cranks. I just bought some raceface atlas cranks for $169 and there better then these canecreek cranks. These are just way over prices cranks.
  • + 2
 Better how?
  • - 2
 Here we go again!
A $2,700. fork and a $999.00 crankset.
MTB is beginning to look like a spoiled rich man's hobby. Do they think about average median income people like me? Damn!!!!!
  • + 1
 Not a single person said you had to buy either. These are boutique items like a Ferrari or super high end watches. For $2000 you can find yourself a great bike that will ride better and last longer than anything from 10 years ago. happy trails
  • + 2
 "Beginning to"? You want a cheap sport? Try running. Or wrestling. Maybe beach volleyball, though you need to live by a beach. Or swimming, you don't even need shoes.
  • + 3
 There’s been crazy, expensive stuff around forever. Go back in time and check out Tomac’s disc wheel.
  • + 1
 Any excuse for Mike Levy to post a picture of his bike..... Lol
  • + 2
 Got me haha
  • - 2
 I don't know what it is with titanium that I don't like. Maybe it's the look, maybe it's the price. Or maybe it's the fact that almost everything ti I have seen on friend's bikes has failed or broken?
  • + 1
 If only I could afford it….
  • + 1
 If I had spare cash lying around I'd get a set because look at THEM!!!
  • - 2
 I'd be a different review if you actually paid for things you write about. At the end of the day, is just paid advertisement.
  • + 1
 Do any reviewers buy anything they review? He says right there in the article that he can’t afford them.
  • + 1
 WANT!
  • - 2
 They have an old school BMX look to them that I hate.
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