Atherton launches additively manufactured titanium cranks
Atherton Bikes, based in Machynlleth, Wales, UK, has expanded its range of additively manufactured products with the introduction of the A.GR.TI crankset, produced from aerospace-grade titanium.
“Cranks are fundamentally simple components: a lever connecting your pedals to a chainring and spindle,” stated Scott Aisthorpe, Design Engineer. “But while it’s simple, they’re heavily loaded and sit directly in harm’s way, with endless opportunity for refinement and optimisation. And that’s exactly what we’ve done, from structural performance to ground clear and fit.”
The new crank arms feature an internal structure that balances strength and weight. The design combines internal engineering features with a durable exterior intended for use in demanding mountain biking conditions. The inside features ribs with hollow pockets, a lightweighting design choice, while the tip around the pedal thread is solid to offer increased durability. Likewise, the front and rear faces are closed to shed mud.
The crankset functions as a three-piece system, with two separate crank arms and an aluminium spindle, allowing it to be interchanged between trail and downhill bikes. The system’s self-extracting bolt is detachable at home, allowing users to disconnect the crank’s arms from either side of the spindle.
According to the company, the crankset has been laboratory tested and evaluated under EFBE and ISO Category 5 conditions using the same set of cranks, which reportedly reached the maximum load on the EFBE jump-load test rig.
The A.GR.TI cranks are available in multiple lengths and with three surface finishes – raw, burnished and tumbled – allowing riders to configure the components to suit their preferences.
