Shimano 105 Crank Specifications

Shimano Cycling produces a range of component groups for road and mountain bicycles. Among the road bicycle offerings is the company's 105 group. This group is third to the top in the component quality hierarchy, only behind Dura Ace at first and Ultegra at second. The 105 line of components uses the unique Shimano Integrated System, or SIS. The 105 cranks are available in two or three chainring configurations as well as compact or long versions.

  1. Two and Three Rings

    • The 105 cranks attach to the chainrings off the center spline. For hill climbing and touring, Shimano equips the 105 line with a three-ring option. The three-ring ratio is 50-39-30T on the FC-5703 105 crankset. This translates to a 50 toothed large chainring, a 39 toothed center ring and a 30 toothed small chain ring.

      The two ring offerings include a 50-34T, designed for hill climbing with a 50 toothed large ring and a 34 toothed small. Also in the 105 crank lineup is the 53-39T, a sprinter setup with a 53 toothed large ring and a 39 toothed small. The two ring cranks are the FC-5750 and the FC-5700, respectively.

    Length

    • The Shimano 105 series of cranks is available in various arm lengths. Arm length is measured in millimeters and the arms are the large metal pieces to which the pedals attach. Shimano offers the 105 cranks in 165, 170, 172.5, 175mm lengths.

    Spindle and Bottom Bracket Compatibility

    • The cranks attach into a spindle set off the bottom bracket, a cylinder that allows the pedals and cranks to spin, through the center of the frame. The 105 cranks are designed to set into the SM-BB5700 bottom bracket and use a 43.5mm chain line---the extension of the chain to the rear cassette/sprocket. The 105 is compatible with 10 speed cassettes.