SRAM DUB Cranks - w...
 

SRAM DUB Cranks - what options do I have?

 Alex
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I need some shorter cranks for my Bronson. Currently full Eagle-AXS drivetrain. Dub BB. It's all a bit Apple EcoSystem lock in from what I can see. From what I've read, the X-Sync-2 chainring is what I need to mirror. I'm not interested in changing any other part of the drive train (other than maybe BB). 165mm/Oval is what I need.

I could replace with another set of Eagle Cranks with shorter arms. I just don't like them very much. I would be happy to change the BB as I'm not a massive fan of DUB either. But straight swaps are what I was looking at: 

Options seem to be:

-SRAM X01- still not that fond of them and defo don't want to go Carbon (even before we talk cost!)

-RaceFace Turbines with the right chainring/offset

-Hope Evo with chainring as above

-Truvativ Descendant which comes with X-Sync-2 but not oval.

All of these seem to be at least double the cost. I'd like to run XT cranks but everything I've read says this is a non starter even with a BB change.

Did I miss anything?


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:16 am
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I rather like my X0 cranks with a hole in them.

Hope are a good option but they aren’t DUB so you’ll need a 30mm BB, only the proprietary chainring puts me off a little

I think you probably need some new Atherton cranks in titanium.  I think they are available in DUB and take the 8 bolt ring


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:25 am
 Alex
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Yeah those atherton cranks look amazing. I won't be buying them 🙂 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:33 am
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If you want XT then go for it! I have run XT crank set with transmission chain for a few thousand miles with no issues. 

People will claim you can't because of the 0.2mm difference in chain roller diameter, but I haven't had any issues. on each surface that becomes about 0.1 mm which is surely within the tolerance of different chainring manufacturers, especially once there has been wear on an aluminium ring!


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:53 am
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Posted by: Alex

SRAM X01- still not that fond of them and defo don't want to go Carbon

They're about the only thing that hasn't been replaced on my Enduro which this year will be 7 years old*. Agreed they're ugly, but I don't look at them that often, and despite being entirely unconcerned with hitting them on things, they appear reasonably indestructible. 

* I understand that owning a bike for this long is beyond comprehension, try to imagine it.. 🙂


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:19 pm
 Alex
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Posted by: minus

If you want XT then go for it! I have run XT crank set with transmission chain for a few thousand miles with no issues. 

Interesting. I'm sure I've got some old 12 speed cranks and a spare new chainring/bb so I might give that a try. Ta.

Posted by: nickc

* I understand that owning a bike for this long is beyond comprehension, try to imagine it.. 🙂

I'm trying. It's just not happening tho 🙂  I realised the other day I have two bikes coming into their fifth year of my ownership, Got to say they're looking nervous !


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:05 pm
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 Alex
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Having done a bit more investigation, decided it's worth trying a Shimano crank/chainring. Dug out a new BB, some old cranks and a brand new chainring. If that works, I'll just get some 165 XTs and maybe a new oval.


 
Posted : 21/03/2026 8:24 am
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Keep me posted @Alex please 

I currently have sram xx cranks running full mechanical transmission (x0 cassette and x0 chain etc with a eagle 90 mech) 

the cranks let it down, sadly mine keep working loose so the thread is buggered, I want to get some new xtr cranks but everything I’ve read suggests the shimano 12 speed chainring won’t work with sram transmission chain especially when the transmission chain is new on a new shimano chainring 

Just to check you are running the newest transmission stuff? I just want the ease/reliabiliy of shimano cranks basically, I also hate sram dub bottom brackets  


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 8:22 am
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I didn’t know this was an issue. I put an SLX on as i was going through DUB bottom brackets like hot pies on a cold day. No problems 


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 12:30 pm
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Did you use brand new slx chainring and a transmission chain? 

I don’t think it’s a issue with older axs I think the transmission chain is the issue 

 

I don’t really want splurge out the money for shimano crank and chainring then find it doesn’t mesh with a brand bew trabsmission chain 


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 3:47 pm
 Alex
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Posted by: oscillatewildly

Just to check you are running the newest transmission stuff? I just want the ease/reliabiliy of shimano cranks basically, I also hate sram dub bottom brackets  

Not Transmission, only Eagle. Everything I read about Transmission suggests it's less tolerant to non SRAM chainrings due to the chain "gaps" being smaller. New SLX chain ring and it all worked fine. Maybe not quite as crisp shifting but a trade off I'm happy with to be able to run Shimano BB and cranks. Having removed the Eagle cranks and Dub BB, they also feel pretty weighty.

I'll keep them for now, but expect I'll move them on now I know I can run Shimano / SRAM Eagle without an issue.


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 5:00 pm
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Ah bugger, sorry I misread that you were using transmission 

yeah old axs works fine I’ve run it like that before, perhaps not as smooth generally but yeah it works fine, and you get away from sram bb and cranks 

shame I can’t get confirmation it will work on transmission but not willing to risk paying for it not to work 


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 6:42 pm
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Transmission runs fine on shimano mtb chainrings, and on eagle chainrings. And on the road flat top chains shift fine on shimano chainrings. At least a couple thousand kilometres experience on each combo.


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 7:31 pm
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my experience is also that Shimano and eagle cassettes (with matching chains) shift fine with t-type mechs. (Because I’m too tight to spring for t-type cassettes for training!)


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 7:34 pm
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Ah ok interesting did you use a brand new transmission chain on a brand new shimano chainring? I’m guessing if everything is  worn it will likely work, but wondering if everything’s brand new (shimano chainring and sram transmission chain) it might not mesh or at least that’s all I can see online 


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 7:53 pm
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I put a set of Pinnd cranks on a friends bike.  They seem really good. Uses DUB and SRAM 3 bolt rings.


 
Posted : 22/03/2026 8:32 pm
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Yes, fine with new stuff. The difference is 0.1 mm in roller diameter, so 50 microns difference in radius. I don’t know, but I suspect that is more than the variation in design and manufacturing tolerance for different manufacturers of chainring.


 
Posted : 23/03/2026 3:34 pm