The 10 Best Road Bike Cranksets

You wouldn't want to put it on your new carbon cycle, but the Shimano M361 Hybrid (about $38) is a decent choice for anyone in need of a replacement option at an affordable price. Its chainrings are fully replaceable, and it's compatible with any bike with a square bottom bracket.

If you've got an older bike and want to upgrade its shifting mechanism from friction to indexed, check out the Vuelta Corsa Comp SQ (about $32). This affordable model is designed for the latter method, with 53T/39T gearing, two steel rings, and two cold-forged alloy crank arms.

For urban riders who want to simplify their setup, the single-speed Sram S300 Courier (about $131) is a great way to do it. The ring itself is surprisingly light given how stiff it feels, while the thick crank arms help transfer power efficiently. Plus, it comes with a bottom bracket.

While other models are only available in one or two variations, the Origin8 XLT Road comes with parts in a range of proportions that make finding the right one for your setup a breeze. There are 170, 172, and 175mm options to choose from, plus compact and standard sizes.

Looking for a high-performance option but don't have the budget to afford one? Your best bet might be the Shimano 105 Triple (about $155), which boasts most of the specs of more advanced models at nearly half the price. The sleek, 3D-formed cranks are especially enviable.

Professional and hardcore riders will appreciate the FSA K-Force Light 386 (appx. $410), whose no-compromise design, featuring hollowed-out, carbon fiber crank arms, makes it one of the lightest around. Of course, it doesn't compromise on price, either, so this one will cost you.

If you've got a tourer, you'll love the quality and durability of this Sugino XD600 (around $161). This three-ring model works seamlessly with most 7 and 8-speed cassettes, plus it boasts a specialized tooth profile that helps improve shifting performance and minimizes chain suck.

It's not cheap, but the Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000 (about $469) is hands-down one of the most widely-respected options on the market today. Its unique four-arm spider does a great job of remaining stiff under duress, while its Hollowtech construction keeps its weight to a minimum.

Featuring a razor-thin profile that looks almost like a table saw, the Sram Red22 GXP (about $586) will have even casual cyclists riding at peak performance levels. It's one of the lightest, sleekest and quietest sets out there, with a hollow carbon construction and X Glide chainrings.

Modeled after the company's popular Dura-Ace, the Shimano 6800 Ultegra (about $222) offers all the advantages of its pro-level sibling at a reduced cost. That makes it one of the best values around, not just for competitive racers, but also regular cyclists who want to up their game.