Easton claims the EC90 ALX Crankset is tested as the market-leader in durability while still matching the weight of SRAM Red.
(Photo: Easton)
Published April 7, 2026 10:47AM
Easton has released the EC90 ALX, a lightweight gravel crankset the components brand claims is the most durable on the market.
The crankset is geared as an all-road or gravel crankset, and it is touted as the “new benchmark” for off-road drivetrain durability, while also saving weight. Easton claims that the crankset tested 27% stronger than its next closest competitor, which was SRAM Red XPLR, while retaining a total crankset weight of 419g for a set with 170mm cranks and a 40t chainring.
In addition to the crankset’s competitive weight and class-leading durability, the EC90 ALX offers great versatility, fitment options, and lengths. The crankset sets out to be a great addition to all groupsets and bikes, regardless of BB, groupset, or bike fit needs.
The crankset comes in 160, 165, 170, 172.5, and 175mm lengths, matching the lengths of Shimano Dura-Ace and SRAM Red cranks, with the exception of a 167.25mm option, which both of the other top-of-the-line groupsets have. The EC90 ALX also comes with two different versions of Easton’s new Lite-Spline spindle to match either Shimano road or gravel spacing. That new spindle uses shorter spines. This allows the cranks to sit closer to the bike frame, providing a sleeker design and added heel clearance.
Easton has a full set of 1x and 2x chainring configurations to match both Shimano 12s chain shapes and SRAM 12s flattop chains.
Durability in multiple directions
The strength of the EC90 ALX is gained through its unique carbon lay-up, resin, and proprietary “insert binding process” that produces an ultra-strong crank, protected by an Easton lifetime warranty.
To test the strength of the EC90 ALX against competitors, Easton applied an increasing quasistatic force to the pedal side of the crank and waited until either the crank or spindle failed. This process was repeated with top-of-the-line cranks from Shimano, SRAM, Rotor, and Praxis.
Easton’s new offering withstood a force of 5,974 N before it failed, 27% more than the field.
Yet, the durability of the product stretches in a different direction as well. The new crankset also uses a stainless steel plate about 2/3 of the way down the crank arm. This plate was added to prevent heel rub from damaging the crankset, something duck-footed riders (like the author of this story) have struggled with, especially with the added grit that comes from gravel riding. For some, this will just provide a different look for the crank, but for others, it could be a nice bonus that increases durability differently.
Broad compatibility, but limited chainring sizes
(Photo: Easton)
Since Easton does not make groupsets, the EC90 ALX is positioned to be an aftermarket option that can play with both SRAM and Shimano groupsets, as well as 1x and 2x options.
For the separate groupsets, both Shimano and SRAM have simplified things for aftermarket crank manufacturers, as both companies use the same chain for most of their gravel or all-road groupsets. Of course, they do that in very different ways, with Shimano using a traditional-looking 12s chain and SRAM employing its flat top design. Nevertheless, both are accounted for in the full slate of chainring options.
For SRAM: 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44t options.
For Shimano: 38, 40, 42, and 44t.
There is also three configurations of 2x chainrings that are compatible with GRX. Those would be 46/36, 47/32, and 46/30.
That is where some riders will find the offering from Easton a bit limited. While the crankset matches the more conventional options from SRAM and Shimano in most ways, that cap at 44t will be a deal breaker for many riders who look to ride and race gravel with 46, 48, and even 50t chainrings that are on offer from SRAM and Shimano (via Wolf Tooth).
Specs and pricing
The cranks will retail for $414.99 with the spindles sold separately for $69.99. Spacers for particular bottom brackets, like T47, are also available for an additional $25.99. See the spec sheet below for additional details: