Rab Cinder Crank Pants review

British outdoor adventure brand Rab is relatively new to the world of mountain bike clothing, but the Cinder Crank Pants prove it knows a thing or two about creating decent kit that works on the trail.

For starters, Rab knows mountain bikers are a picky bunch. So, as well as offering five waist sizes, the Cinder Crank Pants come with a choice of three leg lengths in each size – something very few other brands can boast.

The fit and construction are up there, too, along with a plethora of features you’re not likely to see on other lightweight mountain bike trousers.

In use, the fit and shaping are spot-on, as is the comfort. There are still a few question marks around how necessary the leg vents and zipped ankle cuffs are, though.

Rab Cinder Crank Pants details and specifications

There’s definitely a flavour of the outdoor industry when it comes to the details included in the Cinder Crank Pants.

While many riding trousers are a little limited in terms of features, Rab has added as many bells and whistles as possible here, without impacting on aesthetics or performance.

For starters, you’ll likely spot a number of zips dotted up and down either leg.

Starting at the top, there are two, well-sized pockets at the hip for stashing essentials.

Move down to the thighs and the zips there are used to access a vent on either leg. There’s no mesh backing, just an opening to help dump excess heat when you’re boiling over.

Right down at the ankles, you’ll find more zips at the end of the tapered legs. Unzip these and the opening around the ankle expands, giving you more room to get your feet in and out.

Rab has reinforced high-wear areas, including the seat, rear of the legs and the driveside ankle hem in a bid to help the Cinder Crank Pants last a little longer.

At the waist, two Velcro adjuster tabs help to alter fit, while a double popper and zipped fly take care of securing them.

To keep your lower back covered, the rear of the waistband raises up slightly, and there's silicone print on the inside to help grip onto short liners or bibs underneath and to prevent anything slipping down.

Rab offers the Cinder Crank Pants in five sizes (28-36in waists) and, impressively, each size comes with the choice of three different leg lengths (short, regular or long).

Rab Cinder Crank Pants performance

My test-sample trousers had a 30in waist and regular leg length. Ideally, I’d have gone for a shorter leg length, but this wasn’t an option during the pre-order process.

Regardless, the Cinder Crank Pants fitted me well. With the ankle cuffs zipped up, the legs taper enough to prevent there being excessive bunching lower down.

This means they won't flap about all that much when caked in mud or rub against cranks while you're spinning the cranks. They’re comparable to the Rapha Trail pants in that regard.

The fit around the waist can be tailored easily with the Velcro adjuster tabs for a secure fit. It helps that the rear of the waistband sits a little higher, covering your lower back when you're leaning over the bars on climbs.

There’s enough room in the legs to fit moderately bulky knee pads underneath (I used Fasthouse Hoopers and Rapha Trail knees) and when pedalling, I had no issues with the Cinder Crank Pants snagging or hooking up on these.

In fact, there’s no shortage of comfort on offer here, down partly to the fit and feel of the lightweight fabric and partly to how well the Cinder Crank Pants articulate on the bike.

However, it's worth remembering these are lightweight pants. That means on cold or wet days, don’t expect to stay warm and dry. You’d want to consider an alternative such as Rab’s Cinder Kinetic pants for riding in the depths of winter.

For warmer winter days, and into spring and early summer, these feel spot-on, though.

The lighter-weight construction meant that even when I was getting a sweat on, I never bothered with the thigh vents. I’d happily ditch this feature if it meant I could save some money.

In a similar vein, while some might find the zips at the ankle cuffs handy, it was rare I used them when getting changed. If there was a chance Rab could create a pared-back version of the Cinder Crank Pants, I’d be a happy man.

What I wouldn’t trade in, though, are the two hand pockets, which feel well-positioned at the top of the thighs. They’re just about big enough for a phone and hold the contents tightly against your leg – always a plus when pedalling.

Rab Cinder Crank Pants bottom line

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the Rab Cinder Crank Pants. Sizing and fit feel great, comfort is right up there with the best mountain bike trousers and it’s a real plus that Rab offers different leg lengths.

They’re not the cheapest going, but quality of construction is right up there and we know Rab does a solid job of creating kit that lasts, which certainly helps with peace of mind.

I’d lose the thigh vents if I had the choice, though.