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Prototype Engin cranks could be CNC’d titanium, new seat collars go BBQ Black

prototype engin cnc crankset and spider
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Engin’s CNC’d mountain bike stems are about to get a new friend with their upcoming fully machined crankset, plus more sizes and colors for their seatpost collars.

The new cranks coming in Spring ’22, first in aluminum, but the end goal is titanium. But they’ll be really expensive, because they’ll take a really long time to make. Founder Drew Guldalian says that’s because they’ll be machined, and he’s doing it that way because no one else is doing it…in titanium, anyway.

prototype engin cnc crankset and spider

The benefit will be that it’s one-piece, versus other ti cranksets on the market, so it’ll be extremely strong. Look for a lot of scalloping and trussing on the backside, which means lots of tools and time, but it’ll be bombproof. And, he says, within 10g of some of the lightest cranks on the market.

prototype engin cnc crankset and spider

OK, but why make cranks? Drew says they were making the spiders for other cranks, then stopped, and then decided to start again but thought if they did that, they should just make a crank, too.

But another reason is that with so many parts in short supply, there’s ample demand for alternatives. And as we all know, there’s always a market for high-end, boutique parts that also perform well.  Target prices are $450 for alloy, and $850 for titanium cranks, but final prices are TBA.

More seat collar sizes

Engin seatpost collar sizes for all brands of bikes in anodized colors

Joining his original 31.8, 34.9, and 38.6 millimeter seatpost clamps are new 33.1 (surly MTB), 36.4 (Santa Cruz), and 30.0 (older Surly road bikes) sizes. They’re a taller design that spreads the clamping force across more of the post. So, you don’t have to clamp as hard, which makes them great for dropper posts where you could bind up the sliding mechanism by overtightening.

Engin seatpost collar sizes for all brands of bikes in ultra matte bbq black

There’s also a new “Barbecue Black” ultra matte black color option.

The frame building jig is up

Another major project from Drew is his framebuilder’s jig. This work of art is designed to give handmade bicycle builders the highest precision jig possible, and it looks the part.

Called the Process Fixture V.2, it’s an updated model that has adjustments and guides for every part of the bike, plus built-in charts to aid in dialing in the geometry and angles.

engin process fixture v2 bicycle frame building jig

engin process fixture v2 bicycle frame building jig

Based on the Accuset Fixture from Bill Grove, the Process Fixture 2.0 is fully modernized for current disc brake, thru axle, bottom bracket, and headset standards.

engin process fixture v2 bicycle frame building jig

Every detail is considered, like a guide to show chainring clearance at the chainstay, so you can ensure your frame will clear the desired ring sizes. Everything is adjustable down to 0.01mm accuracy. It’s $9,500 all in, sold with everything you need. Check it all out on their website and get your order in…delivery is 2-10 weeks.

EnginCycles.com

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Ol' Shel'
Ol' Shel'
3 years ago

Much of the time with titanium, the appeal comes from the expense.

Snut
Snut
3 years ago

The cranks look very cool. But why the dreaded SRAM 3 bolt system? Absolute garbage. Worst design ever. I’ve broken two chainrings and one set of cranks because of that flawed design. Even SRAM realised and have moved on to the 8bolt one which is much much better. Why bother with the old extinct crappy one? Same as cane creek’s, such a bad idea…

Troy Wilson
Troy Wilson
3 years ago

Someone should be 3D printing the cranks in titanium rather than machining them, then they can be hollow but braced for strength and externally be smooth so they are more aero and don’t collect grime.

Gillis
Gillis
3 years ago

@Troy, there are several that have made 3d printed ti cranks: Sturdy Cycles, Stellar Performance, Bastion. Sram has also done some weird printed prototypes. Not to mention the Eewings made in a more traditional welded fashion. These Engin cranks might be the first machined ti cranks actually.

John
John
3 years ago

@Snut on. 3bolt is still employed on basically every sram crank currently in production. 8 bolt is winning favor in the power meter cranks. The torque of the chainring is being applied to the spline, not bolts. If you’ve broken rings, it’s more than likely due to the quality of the ring, not the interface. Finally, assuming SRAM moves away from 3 bolt, Engin can simply change their interface as well on the next crank they make. That’s the point of American, small batch manufacturing. They can adjust quickly and iterate without years of delay. You should be cheering on a small guy trying to get actual products to actual customers. Seems like the big guys are just showing pictures and delivering nothing in their place.

Randy Garage
3 years ago

Very expensive upgrade. Nice to see it. Thank you

Spotted it
Spotted it
3 years ago

Funny, “no one else is doing it” and you have another article about the 5 Dev CNC cranks at the same time.

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

@gillis RNC have been machining BMX Ti cranks for a couple years now.

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