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Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: crazyravr on October 07, 2025, 08:54:55 AM

Title: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: crazyravr on October 07, 2025, 08:54:55 AM
Is this a simple swap or are there things to look out for? Is the Q factor the only thing to consider?
Currently I am using 105 cranks with shimano chainrings on one of my bikes. I would like to replace the cranks with carbon BUT keep the same rings and not do too much tinkering after. Is the below a good option or would you recommend something else (better or cheaper)? The below "should" have the same Q-factor as a Shimano 105 crankset.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009175039163.html
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: jonathanf2 on October 07, 2025, 09:33:09 AM
If you run into issues I highly recommend this 3 bolt spacer for that Bigrock crankset you linked. This allows you to move the crankset further out without altering your chain line too much if you do run into problems like your FD hitting the crank arm. Using this, you can either use a thin spacer or no spacer at all on the axle to get a good chain line with Shimano chainrings.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808692988907.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808692988907.html)
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: crazyravr on October 07, 2025, 11:53:50 AM
i've never paid attention to Q factor because road cranks should be road cranks, and a few shims / spacers usually solve problems.
Spindle (axe de pedalier) is to consider, but your link is 24mm, which is the Shimano standard.
For cheaper, but in 170mm only, there are Riro and Racework options, and i think both have adaptors to run shimano chainrings. Bearing in mind their chainrings cost 25 eur shipped, we together have probably put 30,000km on these chainrings, they work, they just need replacing more often than Shimano ones.

I assume this is what you are talking about? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007344893638.html
This has Q-Factor:153MM so 7mm wider than stock. Pretty sure there will be quite a bit of tinkering with the chainline here.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: toxin on October 07, 2025, 01:01:25 PM
No, that's a 24mm aluminium axle, nobody should ever buy that.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: vermit25 on October 07, 2025, 03:08:00 PM
I am also looking for something similar.
What do you guys think about this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009549219633.html?
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: Da11as on October 08, 2025, 02:21:43 PM
I am also looking for something similar.
What do you guys think about this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009549219633.html?
Another Cybrei clone. As always, should be fine
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: toxin on October 08, 2025, 03:02:20 PM
Well it's not really a clone if it all comes from the same factory
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: vermit25 on October 09, 2025, 07:59:07 AM
Well it's not really a clone if it all comes from the same factory
Another Cybrei clone. As always, should be fine

If these Leese cranks are the same as the Cybrei's, how come the Leese ones are so much cheaper?
Note that I was not able to find the Cybrei's on Ali.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: toxin on October 09, 2025, 08:02:40 AM
Lower quality standards
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: crazyravr on October 09, 2025, 08:09:24 AM
Pretty sure I have decided to go with this one... the titanium alloy sold it for longevity and durability.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009549219633.html
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: vermit25 on October 09, 2025, 09:55:53 PM
Yeah it seems like a good choice with the titanium axle and a pretty good price.
Let me know how it goes as I am looking to get one towards the end of the year.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: Da11as on October 10, 2025, 02:36:11 AM
If these Leese cranks are the same as the Cybrei's, how come the Leese ones are so much cheaper?
Note that I was not able to find the Cybrei's on Ali.
Well it's not really a clone if it all comes from the same factory
Indeed, I mean it is the same design with slightly bigger weight/worse finish/possible inconsistencies
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: hubba on October 10, 2025, 03:41:05 AM
Those titanium axles that were tapered in the middle were known to have some stiffness issues. Most moved away from them so it's an older design.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: toxin on October 10, 2025, 09:06:09 AM
I wouldn't say "most" moved away from it. That was certainly the reason Elilee moved away from it, but it's still quite common, it's even what Cybrei use. It's easier and therefore cheaper to make, which is why I'd say it's still pretty common.
Title: Re: Replacing Shimano cranks with carbon
Post by: bichler.bua on October 13, 2025, 06:52:24 AM
This has Q-Factor:153MM so 7mm wider than stock. Pretty sure there will be quite a bit of tinkering with the chainline here.

Small note: Q-factor and chainline are not the same, even if it is likely that a larger Q-factor might impact the chainline it does not have to be the case