Video: Easton Unveils Lightweight, Versatile EC90 SL Crankset for Cyclocross, Gravel

Remember that mystery carbon crank we spotted on on Craig Richey’s cyclocross bike at Sea Otter?

The Easton-branded carbon, direct mount mystery crank on Richey’s Garneau Steeple XC cyclocross bike. No specific, official details from Easton on this crankset yet. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine

Easton Cycling has officially unveiled the offering, and it’s the new Easton EC90 SL crankset with some cyclocross and gravel-specific options. The carbon crankset will come with both single and double chainring options, and boasts a 30mm axle that is compatible with every major bottom bracket configuration.

The new lightweight, versatile Easton EC90 SL carbon crankset for cyclocross, gravel and pavement.

Craig Richey can be seen putting the crank (and its quick-change chainring feature) to the test in the video above.

Easton explains the new carbon crankset project, influenced by Race Face’s NEXT SL mountain bike crankset, with the following press release details below.

We’ve had the good fortune to be riding one of these for the last week. Stay tuned for our riding (and installation) impressions.

EC90 SL Crank Design Criteria:

• Simplicity – The simplest solution is almost always the most elegant and robust.
• Adaptability – Build the crankset to work with every drivetrain and fit every bike frame
• Weight – CX bikes are always above the UCI weight limit so any reduction is weight directly results in a performance benefit
• Durability – Not a race day only product, the crank needs to work for winter commuting and training through to World Cup Racing

The Next SL crankset provided the initial platform and this criteria drove the design decisions. For cyclocross and gravel applications simplicity is achieved through a direct mount single ring system, eliminating the need for a front derailleur which makes the bike simpler and lighter. We developed a new Narrow/Wide tooth profile to optimize chain retention, reduce running noise and friction for this specific application. A reduction in friction results in an increase in drivetrain efficiency insuring more of the rider’s power is transferred from the pedals to the ground.

The Cinch system allows the crankset to quickly adapt between various ring sizes, or even convert between single and double ring configuration. Using the Cinch system makes switching rings a quick process requiring only undoing the crank bolt and Cinch lock ring. Racers without a pro mechanic can ride a course or plan their weekend adventure and easily adjust their gearing accordingly.

The new Easton EC90 SL crankset will also come with a double ring option this fall.

Weight and durability also drove design; optimized arm shapes contributed to a decrease in weight and an increase in both strength and stiffness. The Easton engineering team would settle for nothing less than the lightest crankset, wanting weight savings to be measured in the hundreds of grams, not single digits. Unwilling to compromise strength or durability, Easton set benchmarks well above the competition. In addition, a lighter product requires less carbon fiber and is therefore less expensive to manufacture, allowing the crankset to compete on price as well.

Versatility Is The New Standard

The cycling industry is flush with a frustrating number of standards, and Bottom Bracket standards are among the most plentiful and confusing. Rather than creating our own standard and forcing it upon the industry we created a product that could adapt to nearly all major BB standards, versatility is the new standard. The EC90 SL crankset uses a 30mm spindle with industry leading strength and weight, that is also a very adaptable platform. BB86, BSA 68MM, PF30 68MM, BB30 68MM, BBRight, and 386EVO, the list of standards is long, but the EC90 SL crankset will fit all of these standards. To support the use of our crankset on bicycles with all of these standards Easton is also launching a new line of low friction Bottom Brackets to complete the EC90 SL crank package.

Key Features

• Hollow Carbon arms made in Canada with American sourced carbon.
• Cinch System with a road specific 30mm spindle
• Standard road 149mm Q-Factor and compatibility with every major road BB standard
• 1x chainline optimized for increasingly popular 135/142mm rear disc spacing

Pricing and specs in the table below.

Easton EC90 SL Carbon Crankset Specs:

More info: www.eastoncycling.com