The e*thirteen XCX+ Single Speed cranks use an enormous 30mm spindle and are designed to run a single-ring setup for trail riding and singlespeed cross-country.
The cranks are forged and CNC-machined from 7075 series aluminium and are available in 170, 175 and 180mm lengths. The 175mm setup we tested weighed 585g. The arms themselves are ultra stiff, and are made stiffer still by the contact with the bottom bracket axle using a unique teardrop-shaped polygon interface.
Enormous outboard bottom bracket bearings are fitted using the supplied tool, and a simple shimming system is used to space the crank out for an ideal chainline – although given their 0.5mm thickness, it took a little trial and error to get the setup right.
Once we’d sorted our chainline out, the crank proved to be free-spinning, with no drag in the bearings. At first we had issues with the left-hand arm loosening up at the end of rides. But after reinstalling and checking the torque setting, the problem hasn’t reappeared. They’re very stiff and have a sleek, classy look.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.