My SRAM Rival crank / BB combo have developed an incurable click. It happens stood up, it happens sat down and it makes no noise when not pedalling.
On dismantling there is a polished zone on the axle splines and it seems very likely that this and/or the BB bearings are the source of my auditory torture.
current setup
BSA threaded shell, 172.5mm cranks, 42t ring (no clearance for more). 11-42 out back
obvious choice
Default / obvious option for replacement seems to be a GRX 11 speed 1x at about £170-£200 plus a Shimano BB, although the 1*11 cranks now seem to be in fairly short supply.
can I use 12 speed crank (and chain???) instead?
The 12 speed version of GRX 1x can be found a lot cheaper and while this isn't a price led decision it seems crazy to pay double for essentially the same crank if I don't need to.
non Shimano/SRAM options
Does someone else make a sensibly designed 1x gravel crank other than SRAM or Shimano?
I need a chain and cassette at this point as well.
I could of course buy a new Shimano or SRAM group but then I need a new freehub (I'm on HG11 and the successor would be MS or XD).
Funnily enough, I’ve just been through the exact same thing! I swapped an 11 speed rival GXP crankset for 12 speed GRX (and obviously the bottom bracket at the same time. It works perfectly with the same 11speed chain, no retention issues at all on some fairly chunky Peak District gravel. the crank/axle interface is much nicer to work with on shimano!!
80 quid for a crank. 20 quid for a shimano bb that should work out ok
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-grx-fc-rx610-gravel-chainset-1x12-speed-299006.html
It works perfectly with the same 11speed chain
This. Just buy the 12 speed crank and keep everything else the same.
Thanks all. It was Merlin I was eyeing up on the 12spd just wanted to be sure it would be ok. 🙂
I even bought a torque wrench last week to check the GXP one wasn't loose/too tight. I'm sure the engineering is sound but I think I prefer the Shimano system.
Aagh. Merlin 1*12 ones are 40T only.
I use this bike on the road quite a lot and I'm already spinning out a 42t regularly. 😞.
Brain hurts, sleep beckons 😄
TA Specialities do aftermarket GRX rings & their single rings go up to 46T. Occasionally just the crank arms turn up on Ebay.
-- Edit --
I'm not sure that this chap isn't on here (these are RX600 forged rather than Hollowtech).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157806045052
They say 2x but I'm pretty sure that 1x & 2x are the same, single rings just take the outer position.
This chap possibly, if you're interested? I think I may have bought some cable outers from him (but my old messages have vanished so I can't check).
https://singletrackworld.com/participant/rockthreegozy/
PJay is correct that 1x GRX Cranks are the same as 2x without the extra ring and bolts fitted so if you're looking to change rings anyway you could just get whichever is cheapest (or find second hand with worn out chainrings even).
You could probably take a punt even on just buying a 46/31 GRX double and run the outer ring only if you're feeling strong? It won't be a narrow-wide but I expect you have a clutch rear mech anyway so could work well?
Thanks all.
Went for the 12 speed 40 tooth option from Merlin, plus new 11speed cassette, chain and BB.
I can always get a TA ring in 42 tooth if there are issues. I'm on the hunt for a secondhand road bike to return this bike to its spiritual home of gravel/light touring so maybe the 40 will be alright.
