Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
These cheap Racework carbon cranksets from AliExpress have been failing, but what’s the problem, and is there an alternative?
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off
(automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Lightweight carbon cranksets are generally VERY expensive, but earlier this year a Chinese company called Racework produced their N1 crankset. It’s a lightweight carbon crankset, at a REALLY great price, and I bought one from their store on AliExpress as soon as I could.
I fitted it to my Chinese carbon road bike, but after 1000 miles, problems started to show. The steel inserts used to help lift the chain onto the big chainring started falling out, and reports of the carbon arms cracking were coming to light.
In this episode, I'll cover these issues, show you if Racework have addressed them, and also provide a fantastic alternative from a brand called RIRO.
RIRO Carbon crankset:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDrRn3P
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:23 – Carbon crank arms cracking
02:52 – Racework chainring isues
06:36 – Siroko sponsor
07:50 – Riro carbon crankset
10:52 – Considerations & caveats
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
These cheap Racework carbon cranksets from AliExpress have been failing, but what’s the problem, and is there an alternative?
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off
(automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Lightweight carbon cranksets are generally VERY expensive, but earlier this year a Chinese company called Racework produced their N1 crankset. It’s a lightweight carbon crankset, at a REALLY great price, and I bought one from their store on AliExpress as soon as I could.
I fitted it to my Chinese carbon road bike, but after 1000 miles, problems started to show. The steel inserts used to help lift the chain onto the big chainring started falling out, and reports of the carbon arms cracking were coming to light.
In this episode, I'll cover these issues, show you if Racework have addressed them, and also provide a fantastic alternative from a brand called RIRO.
RIRO Carbon crankset:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDrRn3P
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:23 – Carbon crank arms cracking
02:52 – Racework chainring isues
06:36 – Siroko sponsor
07:50 – Riro carbon crankset
10:52 – Considerations & caveats
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
