First Look – SRAM X5 Fat-bike Crankset

sram-x5-fat-bike-crank

I recently picked up a 170mm SRAM X5 fat-bike crankset for the Schlick 29-Plus prototype I built up and initial impressions are, well, impressive!

Weighing in at a real world 959 grams, the black, X5 fat-bike cranks have a 100mm wide spindle and dedicated 36/22 SRAM 2X10 chainrings. For those with longer legs than mine there is also a 175mm version available. Either way, expect an MSRP of $169.00.

Installation was easy in the 100mm faced and reamed shell of the Schlick. The GXP BB has a sleeve over the spindle inside the bottom bracket and a removable seal on the left side while the right side uses a plastic hat sleeve on the outboard bearings. Using the correct shell spacers, 2 x 2.5 in the case of a 100mm BB, and snugging up the left crank arm bolt where all that was necessary to complete the install and the cranks were smooth turning with no side play. I wish all crank installs went so easily!

sram-x5-fat-bike-crank-1743

On the initial rides the crank basically disappears. It just does its job, seems stiff enough for me and the SRAM chainrings work well with the SRAM X9 front derailleur I have it paired with.

The X9 fat-bike crank also recently became available so look for a report on that as soon as we get in a build that uses one! The main difference from what I can see is that the X9 is lighter and stiffer due to a hollow forged crank arm. It is also nearly twice as expensive!

SRAM-X5-fat-bike-crank SRAM-X9-fat-bike-crank

I bought this crank with my own money and the opinions are mine. No undue influence came from the manufacturer.

8 Comments

  1. So is the chainline equivelant to, say, Surly’s Offset Double or is it more like just throwing an ISIS or Square Taper Crank on? What’s the Q-Factor (tread)? Distance between crank arms (frame clearance)?

    Just getting these out of the way as they seem to be pretty STANDARD questions that come up. Thanks.

  2. i appreciate the tech specs, but i’m not versed enough in crank specs to know if this is an offset-double crank. I’d heard rumors it might be, but haven’t found any info on the final product to verify. So, is it offset?…

    Cheers.

  3. Dave,

    If by an offset-double you mean a crank that will allow clownshoe rims and/or big fat larry tires, I doubt this will work. Standard chainline on a fatbike is from 65mm to 67.5mm (Mountainbike 47.5mm to 50mm plus 17.5 offset)–these SRAM items have a chainline of only 65.5 (midpoint between W2 and W3 in the diagram). The Surley OD for pugsley is 68.8mm and for moonlander is 76.1mm, see diagrams here: http://surlybikes.com/uploads/downloads/Surly_Crankset_Dimensions.PDF.

  4. Will the Sram X5 crank work with a Shimano 9spd setup… looking to replace my triple (heavy) crankset and just run 2×9

  5. Hi, I recently bought a Charge Maxi 1 with the FSA Comet on it stock and I am getting the x.5 crank as a Christmas present, through a mix up in communication Both cranksets are 170mm, is there any real difference between the 2?

  6. Hi, I just came upon your post, because I’m trying to fit a fat X5 crank and a 100mm gxp BB, but no matter what I do, the non-drive side bearing pushes the crank out like 1cm… I’m puzzled, because all these components are new and it’s like the inside of the non-drive side bearing is pushing at the lip at the bottom of the grooves on the spindle. I’m doing something wrong here? thanks, Sylvain

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