Last week, Atherton Bikes joined the ranks of cranks: enter the premium A.GR.TI Crank ($922.46), a 3D printed titanium crankset meant to be the last one you ever buy. While the price might be high, so is the quality, workmanship, and durability. Read below for all the details.
Atherton.Gravity.Titanium Crankset
The crankset is a seemingly simple component, and yet, deceptively complicated. It has to withstand all the rigors of riding, meet the tolerances of bearings and frame geometry, and integrate with human biomechanics. There are so many wonderful permutations to choose from. Here at The Radavist, we enjoy reviewing all of the phenotypes that we can get our sand-scraped, loam-dyed hands on. Just look at some of the articles at the bottom of this press release; we’ve ridden a lot of them.
Atherton Bikes, experts in 3D printing, use the additive manufacturing process to manufacture their crankset. They mastered the process through bike manufacturing. While many large brands use 3d printed or machined lugs and carbon tubes to create prototype bikes for their athletes, Atherton’s business is designed around this process and providing that bike as a final product to the consumer. This isn’t a radical approach in the small batch world of bicycles, but Atherton is one of the only brands that is doing this while supplying basically the same bicycle to their World Cup downhill team.
And now, the A.GR.TI crankset.
A.GR.TI Crankset Quick Hits
- Base price: US $922.46
- 11 Crank length options between 150mm to 175mm with 2.5mm increments in between sizes
- Two spindle options: 28.99 (DUB) or 30mm
- Three chainline options: Trail (52mm), Trail Wide (55mm), DH (56.5mm)
- 8-bolt chainring interface
- 8mm captured fixing bolt and self-extracting design
- Simple design won’t hold onto mud and makes for easy cleaning
- Three finishes: Raw: + $0.00, Burnished: +$40.18, Tumbled: + $67.15
- Chainring and bottom bracket not included
- Made of aerospace-grade 23 titanium
- Tested to EFBE and ISO Category 5 certifications and ready for DH use
- Printed and finished in Machynlleth, Wales
Why 3D Print a Crankset?
The additive manufacturing process allows Atherton to sculpt the crankset from the inside out, creating complex internal structures without creating an exterior that will hold onto mud and debris. The internal bracing, hollow wall sections, and seamless transitions, combined with the sleek exterior, would be impossible to CNC machine or forge. Every contour is intentional; material is exactly where it needs to be and absent where it isn’t needed. For example, there is very little material that extends past the pedal spindle, making for less contact with the ground, rocks, roots, and everything we tend to subject to our crank arms.
Compatibility and Future Proofing
Atherton wanted to make a crankset that wears in, not out. If you only had one mountain bike, they set out to create the last crankset that you would have to buy for it. Titanium is a stellar material for this, as it is pretty much corrosion-proof and quite durable. To start, these things are exceptionally strong, having met all of the requirements for downhill certification. It’s no surprise, given that Rachel and Gee Atherton are behind the brand.
Chainrings interface with the crankset via the 8-bolt standard. It works, it’s going to be around for a while, and it doesn’t require any special lockring tools. Different spindle lengths can be selected at checkout to match the chainline of whatever MTB is going to be wearing this crankset. Please note, this is not a gravel or road bike crankset. The captive crank uses 8 mm hex key, making trailside fixes easier. It also features a self-extracting design, something that is pretty much ubiquitous across all modern cranksets. The bearing preload adjustment ring is made of aluminum. There is no plastic on this premium crankset.
Made in Wales
We like to celebrate companies that manufacture their products in the country of origin. Making something in your home country is challenging. Supporting your local community, your friends, and your neighbors with livable wages and domestic pride feels even more important in the current political climate. Ignoring the human aspect of domestic manufacturing, designing and machining something under one roof makes for better quality: tight tolerances, zero compromise, and easy iteration.
Chapeaus to Atherton Bikes for what they do.
Pricing, Availability, and Warranty
At the time of posting, the A.GR.TI costs US $922.46 (£845.00). This does not reflect any import tariffs. There are three levels of finish available; the “Raw” 3D printed titanium aesthetic is included in the base price. Extra levels of finish, Burnished (+ $40.18, £30), or Tumbled (+ $67.15, £50) finishes can be specced through the crankset configurator on Aetherton’s website.
The A.GR.TI are made and finished to order. Atherton says that it will take 4-8 weeks from order for cranks to ship. Quality can’t be rushed.
See more at Atherton Bikes.
