Identify Your Bicycle Crank Type Using This Pictorial Comparison

Which Crank Type Do I Have?

Examine the images below, then expand the accordion bars to read about crank details. This will help you determine what crank you have, and which chainring option to purchase.

Please Note: Paint schemes and decoration will vary by manufacturer, by product level and by year of production — all you need to do is identify the shape and bolting configuration.

Standard 5-Bolt Road / CX

The word “Standard” is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to cranks. It’s called “Standard” because cranks of this configuration have been around a long time, and are still quite popular.
These cranks are made by many companies including all the big names (Shimano, Sram, FSA, RaceFace, Rotor, Suntour, etc.) and come in 2 most common configurations — 130mm BCD & 110mm BCD (also called “Compact”). A 110mm BCD crank is shown. (Note, there are other BCD’s for this configuration produced over the years, but other than Campagnolo, there are not many of significant popularity currently.)
To identify this style as “Your Crank”, compare the bolting configuration to the image; then, check the Bolt Circle Diameter.

Shimano 4-Bolt Road / CX

This unequal 4-Bolt design by Shimano is now their higher-end stape. The Dura-Ace, FC-9000, is shown here, but they come in most of the product levels like Ultegra FC-6800, 105 FC-5800 and even the Tiagra FC-4700.

All of these Shimano cranks are 110mm BCD so you don’t have to worry about which Bolt Circle Diameter.

To identify this style as “Your Crank”, compare to the image and make sure the functional parts, like bolt locations, are the same. Names and decorations may be different.

SRAM Exogram Style

Exogram is the name this crank style was originally called. Mostly it’s just Red 22 now, but it’s different from other SRAM cranks, and it needs different hardware to mount rings on it.
The thing that distinguishes this crank is the 5th bolt, hidden from view, that threads into the back of the crank arm. Other SRAM cranks have hidden bolts, but only this type has the bolt that threads into the crank arm.
Made only by SRAM, this crank is available in both 130mm & 110mm BCD.
To identify this style as “Your Crank”, compare the bolting configuration to the image; then, check the Bolt Circle Diameter.

SRAM 22, Removable Spider

These cranks, also with the 22 designation are similar to the Exogram, but different enough that they require different mounting hardware.
The thing that distinguishes this crank is the 5th bolt, hidden from view, that DOES NOT thread into the crank arm. Though it may look permenent, the spider of these cranks can come off and be replaced — convenient when you want to mount a Quarq or direct mount single, or change BCD.
Made only by SRAM, this crank is available in both 130mm & 110mm BCD.
To identify this style as “Your Crank”, compare the bolting configuration to the image; then, check the Bolt Circle Diameter.