What is the new(ish) Shimano 96BCD crank standard for? I can’t see any point in it whatsoever.
It might have made some sense if I could put smaller chainrings on – but I can’t. The smallest 104BCD is 30t. Even several years after it was introduced, the smallest 96BCD I can find anywhere is also 30t.
If you want smaller than that (28t) then it goes on the granny tabs, just like with 104BCD.
So what’s it for?
I’ve just found out the hard way, hence my irritation. I now have a 96BCD crankset that is incompatible with every other crank/chainring/bashring in the garage. Thank you so very much Shimano. At least the bolts still fit.
My suspicion after buying a few other recent Shimano products is that they’ve lost their way, and probably don’t ride their own stuff. But maybe there’s a better explanation. Or perhaps 96BCD is just totally awesome in some way I have yet to discover.