Hope calls their machined alloy EVO crankset the “Everything Crank”, because with arm lengths now as short as 135mm all the way up to 175s, and 4 modular spindle lengths, you really could put a set of these on almost any off-road bike. But wait, Hope EVO135mm… who needs crank arms that short?
Hope thinks a number of mountain bikers who loved their already short cranks, might just want to go even shorter!
Hope EVO 135mm, ultra-short UK-machined alloy MTB cranks
Almost 5 years ago, Hope stepped up their CNC-machined alloy crankset game with the EVO, making them 19% lighter AND stiffer than the previous generation with a more refined, easier-to-install design. Then, 2 years ago they machined the EVOs down even further to just 155mm long. The idea started with shorter cranks for eMTBs to improve clearance riding technical trails, but soon even some DH & Enduro racers were sold on the increase in rider stability, quicker acceleration, improved stiffness, and even lighter weight that came as a by-product.
Hope’s R&D team then said they had tested down to 140mm. But apparently, they didn’t stop there.
Now, the EVO cranks get a 135mm option too!
So why shorter again?
Shorter 135mm EVO cranks get all of the same benefits that Hope hyped with the 155mm version, just taken to the next level. Improved stability, quicker spin-up, improved ground clearance, bigger effective gearing drive ratio, lighter weight, stiffer connection between pedal & bike.
“[M]aybe you are a downhiller for whom the existing 155mm just isn’t short enough. Maybe you want a tougher option for your child’s bike.”
Whatever your reason, a new Hope EVO 135mm crankarm simply means more options to better suit the individual needs or desires of more riders. And of course, you still get spindle lengths to fit all mountain bikes, and the full rainbow of Hope anodized aluminum colors to bring the matchy-matchy bling.
Tech details
- crankarms forged and then CNC-machined from 7150 alloy
- 30mm machined 7075 modular axles, available in 4 lengths for all BBs from 68-120mm wide
- 135, 155, 165, 170 & 175mm lengths now available
- available in black, silver, blue, red, purple & orange ano
- proprietary splined interface for direct-mount 1x chainrings or spiders
- add a spiderless 1x ring (28-32T) for 9-12sp drivetrains, or 4-arm spiders
- NOTE: shorter arms necessitate smaller rings. Hope recommends decreasing 2-teeth for each 10mm reduction in crank length, which means they probably need to start making smaller chainrings than a 28T!
- self-extracting axle-to-arm interface
- weights less than 560g, because that’s for the long 170mm arms including an axle
- 100% UK designed & manufactured, in-house in Barnoldswick, England
Hope EVO 135mm cranks – Pricing, options & availability
The UK-made CNC-machined Hope EVO cranks are now available in 135mm, plus the still short 155mm and more conventional 165, 170 & 175mm lengths. They sell for £270 / $342 / 340€ for a set of arms in the color and length of your choice, and your desired spindle, but without a chainring or spider. A spider will add £30 / $38 / 35€ or a spiderless chainring will add £55 / $70 / 65€ extra.
Get them all now through your local Hope dealer in your favorite color combinations!
