9-18-07 // Previewed: Crank Brothers 2008 Hardware

2008 Cranks gain a 2-piece design with tapered BB spindle

Integrated Cranks

After (finally) reaching production of its Cobalt cranks this year, which use a stainless steel cap bonded to a hollow aluminum crankarm, for 2008 Crank Brothers will offer two different integrated versions, but with a twist. Rather than fixing the spindle to the drive side crank arm as most conventional two-piece mountain cranks do, the new Crank Brothers cranks attach a tapered spindle to the non-drive side, reasoning that tapering it down toward the drive side allows for use of a bigger cartridge bearing on that side.

Crank Brothers only had single speed and triple versions of the Cobalt-level crank, but more are likely in development.

More Pedals

A few changes here worth noting, the first being a new cast titanium wing option to Crank Brothers Candy, Mallet and Acid pedals. Models containing titanium spindles have been offered for a few seasons, but with these new ti wing models, racers and weight weenies can shave a few more grams while using a stainless or chromoly spindle.

Mallet pedals also get a facelift, and are now made from extruded aluminum rather than cast, meaning that new aluminum Mallets weigh less than 2007 magnesium versions. Gone, too, are the “traction plates,” replaced by traditional threaded studs.

The Acid pedal (left) gains titanium wings, while the Mallet (right) gets a new extruded design for 2008

More in the Hopper

Last but not least, expect to see Speedball seatposts pick up a splash of burnt orange, as they’re now part of Crank Brothers’ all-mountain package. Also new are two-stage quick-release skewers. The idea is that dividing the job of clamping a QR lever shut divides the work between the two, making for two relatively easy “clamps.”

The only downside of getting a sneak peek like this one is that you can't walk right into your local bike shop, plunk down the old credit card and walk out with a Crank Brothers build kit.

But good things come to those who wait. Directsets and all the new pedals in all the new colors will be available soonest, sometime later this fall. Iodine seatposts and the new integrated cranks should start showing up after the first of the year, and wheels and skewers are still several months out.

Look for full-fledge tests of all the new Crank Brothers goodies to start showing up on Bikemag.com and in the magazine.

Crank Brothers' new skewers feature a two-stage release