SRAM’s carbon crankset has the best single ring around, but it can’t match the best alloy cranks for stiffness and toughness.
The broad carbon arms have alloy inserts for the pedals and SRAM-specific BB axle connections. SRAM’s X-Sync design has revolutionised single-ring chain security and runs more smoothly than the competition. The rings are expensive though, and XX1 arms are slightly pricier yet 70g lighter.
The X01 arms are compatible with X0 spiders if a single ring up front turns out not to be your thing, and some (cheaper) aftermarket rings will fit too. There’s more flex underfoot than with similar weight alloy cranks though, and the hybrid carbon construction isn’t as impact-tough.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
