What are all of the reasons for not running carbon cranks on a mountain bike? Heel scuffs? Damage from crashing? Broken pedal inserts? Race Face is tackling all of those concerns head-on with their new Era carbon crankset.
Stainless Steel Heel Guard
One of the most visible changes to the new Era crankset is the addition of a stainless steel heel scuff protection plate. Heel scuffs on crank arms have been a fact of life for many cyclists – even on aluminum crank arms. Some try to preempt the damage with protective stickers on the crank arms, but Race Face is taking the protective concept to the extreme.
Like you’d see on many carbon frames, the carbon Era crank arms have integrated stainless steel plates to protect the carbon – no additional stickers required. These plates should arguably be more durable than most crank materials, and the plates wrap around the sides of the crank arms for comprehensive protection.
Stronger Pedal Inserts
Heel scuffs are one thing, but breaking the pedal insert out of a carbon crank is another story entirely. In an effort to make the Era their “strongest, stiffest, and most durable carbon crank ever,” Race FAce claims to have redesigned the pedal insert and bonded them directly to the carbon layup.
Additional protection is then offered through a new pedal boot which slips onto the end of the crankarm.
The pedal boots are available in 8 colors while the crank arms themselves are offered in 7 different color options to mix and match to suit your build.
Crank arms are offered in 165, 170, and 175mm lengths and a 176mm Q-factor when used with a 136mm spindle.
CINCH Versatility
One of the best features of Race Face cranks has always been the built-in versatility of the CINCH system. Choose your crank arm, your spindle, and your chainring. Then still have the option of switching things up in the future. With the same crank arm and chainring interface as prior CINCH cranks, the new ERA crank arms should be backwards compatible.
Like previous CINCH cranksets, the spindle is 30mm in diameter and made from aluminum.
When it comes to chainline, Race Face gives two options – 52mm with a DM chainring, or 55mm with a DMW chainring.
| Chainline | 52mm – 136 Spindle + DM Ring / 55mm – 136 Spindle + DMW Ring |
| Q-Factor | 176mm including Pedal Washers |
| Includes | Pedal Boots, Washers + Spindle Spacers (Chain Rings + Bottom Brackets sold separately) |
| Axle Material | 7050 Aluminum |
| Crank Arm Material | Carbon + Stainless Steel Wear plate |
| Spindle Diameter | 30mm |
| Weight | 483g complete crankset |
| Weight Conditions | 170mm Arms + 136 Spindle + 32t Chainring + Washers + Spacers |
Race Face Era Actual Weights
As shown above, the 170mm arms and a 136mm spindle weigh in at 415g. A 32t Shimano 12-speed chainring adds 79g, and the crank boots check in at 19g. Without the bottom bracket you’re looking at 513g total. The standard 68/73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket with all the spacers above weighs in at 91g.
That makes the Era a bit heavier than the Next SL G5 cranks, but it’s really more appropriate to compare these to the Rally R cranks which these seem to replace. The Era is built for burlier riding in mind, but is still light enough for XC builds for riders who prize absolute durability over the lightest weight possible.
Lifetime Warranty (Crashes Included)
Some of the biggest news here might be the new Lifetime Warranty policy that includes crashing. You have to be actually riding your bike while crashing for it to count though – the warranty will not cover crashing your bike into your garage while on top of your vehicle. But the new Lifetime Warranty will cover most of their hard goods including Wheels, Pedals, Handlebars, Stems, Cranks, Chainrings and Static (non-actuated) seat posts.
For more details on the warranty or to start a claim, check out this link.
Pricing & Availability
Sold as crankarms and a spindle only, the Era crank is priced at $499. The cranks are currently available in all three crank lengths, but only in black with the other colors available in the future. Chainrings, colored pedal boots, and bottom brackets are all sold separately, but the cranks do include black crank boots and stainless pedal washers in the box.
