Cyber Cranks Review: Classically Modern – John Watson | The Radavist | A group of individuals who share a love of cycling and the outdoors.

When Germany-based Cyber Cycles announced its Cyber Cranks a few years ago, they grabbed our attention. These modern cranks have a vintage sensibility, clearly being inspired by tubular MTB and BMX cranks. John put them through the wringer for his Sour Cowboy Cookie review and has some words about these lovely crank arms below…

Cyber Cranks Quick Hits

€480 – €515 Depending on finish
160 – 175 mm lengths (175 reviewed here)
522 g including all parts
Cyber Cranks GR – short spindle for gravel bikes
Cyber Cranks OR – longer reinforced spindle for off-road use (reviewed here)
Cyber Cranks ST – fits your square taper bottom bracket
Handmade by Stefano Agresti in Germany
Four finishes available (raw, black, nickel, or clear)
Seamless cold-drawn 4130 CrMo tube
Air-hardened to Velospec Pro standard
Integrated 24 mm spindle
SRAM 3-hole chainring mount
All other parts are CNC-machined 7075T6 Aluminum
Stainless steel wave spring
Chainline: 53 mm with 6 mm offset chainring
Q-factor: 179 mm
Chainstay width: max. 132 mm

Modern Sensibilities

Cyber Cycles might be best known for its Cross Blade fork, which it debuted back at Bespoked Dresden in 2023. Yet, the brand has a whole slew of products, bridging the gap between vintage aesthetic and modern sensibilities. Take, for instance, its Cyber Cranks. With aesthetic cues lifted from vintage MTB and BMX cranks, these cranks use a 24 mm spindle and are compatible with gravel and mountain bike riding.

They offer a 53 mm chain line, assuming a 6 mm offset 3-bolt chainring is used, and rely on a 132 mm maximum chainstay width for proper arm clearance. When I met Cyber Cranks at Bespoked Dresden and spoke to Christian Thomas, the founder, he was elated to hand off a set of these wonderful arms, with a reminder that they were not designed for “enduro” riding.

Tubing Profile

The most appealing thing about the Cyber Cranks to me, other than them being made in Germany, is the clean lines they provide. Particularly when paired with a steel frame, they just look at home. Not some bulbous, wide crank. They’re elegant, thin, and beautiful. In fact, they looked phenomenal on the Cowboy Cookie.

Downcountry Specced

I wouldn’t consider my riding style to be “enduro.” Maybe all-mountain or trail at best. Riders like me enjoy a variety of bike setups and terrain. I think what Christian was getting at was don’t send these while riding a bike park and case any gaps. Luckily for me, the biggest gap I’ll hit is usually between some rocks, and if I case any jumps, I’m more likely to bruise my ego, not bend the cranks.

Still, speccing them on the Cowboy Cookie build was a great idea. They really complement the aesthetics of the bike with its Actofive rear swingarm and a mix of black and silver components. Going against recommended protocol, I paired the cranks with a 30-tooth 3 mm offset Wheels Manufacturing chainring, but didn’t find the 3 mm offset to adversely affect shifting or chainline.

The Feel and Resilience of Steel

Compared to carbon or aluminum crankarms, the Cyber Cranks weren’t overly stiff, but I wasn’t noticeably flexing them either. I think a good litmus for crank arm comfort is that they seemingly disappear underfoot, and you really don’t think about them at all until you smash an arm on rocks. After a couple of hundred miles of use, they bear a few marks of rock rash, but overall, have remained true and straight with no issues. I did hit some drops that made me hear Christian’s voice in the back of my mind, reminding me that they’re “not forrrr endurrrro riding, Johnnnnnnnn!”

Premium Price

Like most things made in small workshops, the Cyber Cranks are a premium price, fetching around $500 USD after shipping and tariffs for the raw arms. You can expect to pay a little more if you want one of the four Cyber Cycles finishing options. Which, looking at the price of a carbon fiber MTB crankset from any number of manufacturers, isn’t that expensive.

I feel like the Cyber Cranks are a product you could throw on any number of bikes over the course of their lifespan. They’d look equally at home on a vintage MTB resto-mod, a rigid tourer, a hardtail, or a metal full-suspension bike.

My life has been dedicated to showcasing small makers’ offerings in the alt cycling and non-mainstream bike industry, and when a product nails on multiple fronts, it always feels good to show support.

One thing to note, Cyber Cycles just let me know that an “enduro” model is on the way!