The 10 Best Road Bike Cranksets

You wouldn't want to put it on your new carbon cycle, but the Shimano M361 Hybrid 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. 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 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, 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, 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. 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 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 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 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.