Shimano

CX50 Crankset

The one fatal flaw that we can see to Shimano's latest 11-speed upgrade to its top three models is that the 10-speed stuff was built to such exacting standards that it's liable to last for many more years, even under the abuse of cyclocross. If you're still running a Shimano 10-speed kit on your 'cross machine, are in the market for a new crank, and don't want to mix manufacturers with a third party offering, then Shimano's CX50 Crankset may be your 10-speed savior.

The CX50's crank arms are built with the same Hollowtech II construction of the 11-speed 105, Ultegra, and even Dura-Ace models. Hollowtech II begins with the same, lightweight hollow crank arms of its predecessor, Hollowtech, and mates the drive side crank arm with the spindle. This reduces the mounting hardware to further cut weight and eliminates one more joint for increased power transfer.

The CX50 departs from its road-bred counterparts with tech like the Hyperdrive SG-X pinning, ramping, and tooth profile shaping, which are all implemented to provide the kind of secure shifting and chain-hold required by sloppy 'cross courses but not necessarily needed on the road. The CX50 also comes spec'd with a cyclocross-specific 43/36t range, which keeps you in the sweet spot of grinding long stretches of uninterrupted flats and accelerating out of turns and obstacles.