Lightning Carbon Cranks
The lightest integral crankset and bottom bracket assembly
I just wanted to follow up and show you the Shiv I built up with the 165 cranks […] You make the best crank on the market, hands down. Funny how you’ve been at it for so long, and still no one has caught up to you.
— Nick Salazar, tririg.com
California-made Lightning cranks were the preferred choice due to their stiffness and low weight. The cranks are also compatible with most of the bottom bracket designs on the market, including the PressFit 30 used on Calfee’s exquisite bottom bracket lug.
— Road Bike Action magazine (PDF)
See what our customers say about Lightning Carbon Cranks.
Check out our spyders, chainrings, bottom bracket cups, and bearings, too.
To buy, contact your local dealer, or visit our online store.
NEW Fat bike cranks, fit 100mm BSA bottom bracket
Specifications
| Crank type / spyder | Weight w/chainrings (grams)* | Q Factor (mm) | Chainline (mm) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | Extralite | BOR e-shift | |||
| Road 110 BCD | 395 | 500 | 540 | 150 | 43.5 |
| Road 130 BCD | 405 | 555 | 150 | 43.5 | |
| None | Extralite | SRAM | |||
| MTB XO 104/64 | 440 | 520 | 24×38 — 550 | 175 outside, 140 inside |
48 double 50 triple |
| MTB XX1 | 420 | 34t — 450 | 162 or 174 | 49 | |
| Other | |||||
| Fat Bike NEW | 455 | XXI; 34t to 485 | 200 | 71 | |
| Tandem 130/74 | 865 | 162 (130/135 rear axle) 175 (145 rear axle) |
45 (130/135 rear axle) 53 (145 rear axle) |
||
* Weights shown for SL 170mm arms, BB86/90/91/95 bottom bracket. Add for the following alternate parts:
- For BB30, PF30, OSBB, EVO386, and BBright ceramic bearings add 34 grams
- For BB30, PF30, OSBB, EVO386, and BBright steel bearings add 44 grams
- For BSA and Italian ceramic bearings add 44 grams
- For BSA and Italian steel bearings add 54 grams
- For HD arms add 20 grams
| Arm lengths | 160, 162.5, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, 175, 177.5, 180, 182.5, 185, 190mm |
|---|---|
| Bottom Bracket | BSA (English), 68mm (Road) or 73mm (MTB), Italian threads, BB30, BB86/BB91, BB90/BB95, Press Fit 30, OSBB, BB Right, EVO386. |
| Available spyders | 110, 130, and 94 double, 130×74 road triple, 64×104 reversible double or triple, SRAM XX1 single |
Key features
- 100% hollow Unifiber integrated arm/spindle high pressure carbon molding
- Super precise ABEC-5 stock steel bearings 100% filled with waterproof grease
- Optional super smooth ABEC-5 hybrid ceramic bearings with low friction seals 100% filled with high performance low friction grease. Not available for BB86/90/91/95.
- 2024-T3 CNC machined spindles, cups, and pedal fittings
- 6AL 4V Ti spindle center bolt
- Hard anodized spindles, cups, and spyder
- Triple and 104/64 double cranks include 2024-T3 aluminum inner chainring bolts.
- Increased strength and stiffness compared to existing cranks
- Removable, interchangeable aluminum spyders
- 100 kilogram (220 pound) rider weight limit (SL version); HD version 130 kilogram (285 pound) rider weight limit.
- Made in USA
- Patent awarded
Configurations
Full set
Rear tandem crank
Long bearing cup is for 145mm rear dropout spacing/53mm chainline. Can be ordered with different size rear spyders, for example 130 BCD timing side, 110 BCD final drive.
How Lightning stacks up against the competition
| Manufacturer / Model | Total system weight (g) |
|---|---|
| Thm Clavicula Classic (2014) | 540.8 |
| Lightning Lightning Carbon (2015) | 548.2 |
| Thm Clavicula M3 (2014) | 579.9 |
| Cannondale SISL2** (2014) | 609.4 |
| FSA SL-K Light (2015) | 651.6 |
| Specialized SWorks** (2015) | 663.2 |
| Sram Red22 (2014) | 667.4 |
| Campagnolo Comp Ultra (2015) | 669.8 |
| FSA Kforce Lite (2015) | 672.3 |
| Campagnolo Record UT Carbon (2014) | 674.8 |
| Campagnolo Super Record (2015) | 678.3 |
| Shimano Dura Ace 9000 (2014) | 698.0 |
| Sram Force22 (2014) | 782.3 |
| Praxis Zayante (2015) | 828.8 |
| Campagnolo Record (2006) | 894.7 |
** Fits only BB30/PF30 frames.
Source: Fairwheel Bikes
To buy, contact your local dealer, or visit our online store.
Customer feedback
Graham B.
The Lightning shifting was actually better (with Stronglight Zephyr rings, 50/36 and Red FD) than it was on my Campag Ultra torque non-compact set-up: shifting between rings was a little quicker and I never dropped the chain off the inside, which happened very occasionally with the Campag.
“When I spend a good deal of money on something, my philosophy is that I had better see and feel a difference right away. That’s exactly what happened with the cranks. Straight away I knew they were so much more efficient and faster. The first ride was a 30 mile out-and-back ride. I know all the time checks at the various points and know my best times there. At the 20 minute mark I was 1 minute faster. At the 30 minute mark I was 90 seconds faster. At the 15 mile turnaround point I was 3 minutes faster!
James
I averaged 19 mph at the end and I think my best average before was 18.3. All this without trying to hammer and go faster. I guess the efficiency and weight savings did it all. So far I have done 3 rides and am amazed each time I ride it. It feels like I have a continuous tail wind. One of the Cat 3 dudes tried to shake me off his wheel twice going to the finale and he couldn’t drop me. I was holding on without too much effort. Just amazing! My hat’s off to Lightning. Thanks.
Race coverage
- 805 Criterium: Valley of the Flowers (June 2013)
Reviews
- Road Bike Action (March 2012)
- Road Bike Rider (February 2012)
- TriRig.com (February 2011)