Race Face

Aeffect EXI Crankset - Bike Build

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

“After a season of chunky desert miles, this Aeffect EXI setup with the steel Cinch Shimano ring has been the definition of set-and-forget. The Cinch interface makes swapping tooth counts painless, and the steel ring shrugs off sandy wear that chews up alloy. It’s a stout, budget-friendly combo that just keeps spinning smoothly.”

We built this crankset around the Aeffect EXI crankarms and Cinch Shimano Steel Chainring to keep our bikes rolling through daily trail abuse without drama. Race Face’s forged 6066 aluminum arms bring confident stiffness for punchy climbs and rock garden sprints, while the 24mm spindle plays perfectly with common X-Type and other 24mm bottom brackets. Paired with the durable steel Cinch ring, it’s a no-nonsense drivetrain foundation for trail, enduro, and big-mile XC rides.

The modular Cinch interface is the star here—dial your gearing with direct-mount rings, keep the chain quiet with narrow-wide teeth, and service everything easily when it’s time. Add in the long-wearing steel construction of the ring and you’ve got a workhorse combo that prioritizes reliability, value, and trail-ready performance.