Profile Racing launched the Profile Elite AL Cranks at the 2023 USABMX Grand Nationals, it’s the next step in the evolution of cranks produced by Profile for over 40 years. It has a distinct Profile look about it, by that I mean the crank arm resemble the shape of the Profile Elite cromo crank arms and the spider has the same classic look as the existing Profile spiders but with a slight design update.

The cranks are USA made, alloy CNC machined, three piece cranks, with a massive range of colours and sizes. All in all a head-turner that’s turned the crank market on it’s head in the USA and is making waves in other regions around the world.

I’ve used cromo profile cranks for racing for decades now. I’ve never been able to find an alloy crank that felt as stiff as the Profile cranks. Until now. The Profile Elite AL cranks feel every bit as stiff as my cromo Profile Elite cranks, but have some extra benefits.

What do the Elite AL cranks bring to the table?

Let’s see

• 30mm spindle (2 lengths currently available)
• Numerous BB options
  • Outboard BSA BB30
  • BB 86-92
  • American BB
  • Mid BB
• A tapered spindle with a built in self extractor. So now the only tool you need to get your cranks on and off is an Allen key – no more special removal tools and hammers like the cromo cranks
• A preload ring for perfect adjustment
• Six sizes: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm, 177.5mm, 180mm
• Four colours: Black, Silver, Red, Blue
• Narrower Q Factor than other Profile cranks, now at 173mm, which is the same as Shimano DXR

Why a 3-piece crank and not 2-piece? I can’t answer that for Profile, but 3-piece cranks have their benefits. As we mentioned earlier there are currently two spindle widths available, which means you don’t need to change the entire crank set if you need a longer, or shorer, spindle. If anything goes wrong with your spindle you don’t need to throw the crank set away, you just replace the spindle. What about the situation where you want to change your gearing and can’t slip the chainring over the spider or the pedal? Simple, just undo and remove the drive side crank, much simpler, and quicker, than dropping both arms out.

The biggest complaint for cromo Profile cranks among racers is the Q Factor is too high. Essentially the width of the stance – the width between the outside of one crank arm to the other. Profile addressed this with the Elite AL cranks and the Q Factor is exactly the same as Shimano DXR at 173mm.

Manufacturer’s Description

Kit includes: LH & RH crank arms, 30mm axle, pedal washers, 8-pcs T20 Torx mounting screws

*** Profile Elite AL Single Chainring Spider and 30mm Bottom Brackets sold separately***

Features:

• Precision CNC 3-D surfaced machined from 2024 Billet Aluminum
• Unique heavy duty design for maximum strength
• Adjustable pre-load ring on non-drive crank arm for precise bottom bracket adjustment
• Supplied with self extractor axle bolts(8mm Hex) and caps(T60 Torx)
• For use with 30mm axle bottom brackets
• Anodized color finish
• Two year warranty

Specifications:

Q FACTORS:

• 173mm on 68mm BSA/BB86 bottom bracket
• 178mm on 73mm BSA/BB92 bottom bracket

CHAINLINE:

• 45mm (on 68mm BSA/BB86 bottom bracket with 3mm offset spider/chainwheel)
• 47.5mm (on 73mm BSA/BB92 bottom bracket with 3mm offset spider/chainwheel)

LENGTHS: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm, 177.5mm, 180mm

AXLE:

• 7075 AL
• 30mm dia. with Profile 8-Spline Taper
• M15 x 1 axle bolt threads
• Lengths:
  • 132mm(for use with 68mm BSA & BB86 bottom bracket)
  • 137mm(for use with 73mm BSA & BB92 bottom bracket)

AXLE MOUNTING INTERFACE: Profile 8-Spline Taper

SPIDER/CHAINWHEEL MOUNT: SRAM 8 Bolt (T20 Torx)

CRANK ARM MATERIAL: 2024 Billet Aluminum

WEIGHT: 725g (170mm) LH & RH crank arms with axle bolts and caps

HARDWARE: M15 x 1 steel self extractor bolts(8mm Hex) & 6Al-4v Titanium T60 Torx caps(black anodized), Stainless Steel pedal washers, 8-pcs T20 Torx mounting screws

Note: Although Elite AL BMX crank arms and axle are proprietary and can only be used in conjunction with one another, bottom bracket and spider/chainwheel are not. This means many other component manufacturer’s 30mm axle bottom brackets and SRAM 8 Bolt spiders/chainwheels are compatible with this crankset. There are plenty out there to choose from!

The Weight

The Profile Elite AL cranks (175mm) set up with the BSA 30 bottom bracket and spider weigh in at 1040 grams. For comparison the alloy Shimano DXR cranks weigh in at 969.6 grams. Not a massive difference in weight given the benefits of the Elite AL cranks, 30mm spindle, the preload ring, and of course the strength and stiffness of the crank set.

How easy are they to install?

Yes! They aren’t too different to any other 3 piece crank set, except you need to install the spider or any other SRAM 8 Bolt compatible chainwheel, fastening it down with 8 torx screws.  The interface on the 30mm spindle is a tapered 8 spline set up making it very easy to get the cranks on and lined up.

And once you have the cranks set up then it’s just a quick adjustment with the preload ring to dial them in.

You can check out the detailed installation video here.

The cranks, being alloy, do also require pedal washers to protect your crank arms.

The BSA BB33 bottom bracket did require a new tool as it’s not the same size cup as the 19 and 22 mm outboard bottom brackets.

How do they ride?

Perfect! I found the Elite AL cranks exceeded my expectations. I rode with them for a good few months before racing with them, practiced gates, focused track/skills sessions, and gave them a hiding on the backyard jumps. Not only did they not skip a beat, they felt every bit as stiff as the Profile Elite cromo cranks I have been using.

That price though…

One thing I’ve heard frequently is that they are expensive. It’s strange coming from people who don’t look to justify their carbon frames, carbon forks, carbon rims, etc. I can’t think of another crank set on the market with a 30mm spindle that gives you the flexibility with configuration options of the Elite AL cranks. It has both more size options and more colour options. Add to that a two year warranty and I’d say they are easy to justify.

Gallery

Final words

Did the Profile Elite AL cranks live up to the hype? They ticked all the boxes that are important to me and they’ll be staying on my race bike.

• Stiff ?
• Strong ?
• Reliable ?
• Look great ?
• Provide great chain alignment ?
• Provide great frame clearance ?
• Awesome ?

I would like to see more colour options for bb shells and spiders in the future, but for now I’m happy with black.

Rating 20/20

Value for money:	5/5
Weight:	5/5
Functionality:	5/5
Looks/Finish:	5/5

Comments

• I have always believed it’s better to spend more money on a quality product. The Profile Elite AL cranks are built for strength, stiffness and most importantly built to last
• While not the lightest cranks on the market, the weight of the Profile Elite AL cranks is more than acceptable given what they offer
• Profile now have a crank that’s easier to install and remove, a narrower Q factor, it’s stiff, strong and reliable. What more could you want?
• I love the look of the Elite AL cranks, and as per all Profile products the finish is second to none.

Check out www.profileracing.com for more information. Profile Racing products are distributed across Australia by ECI Imports (ecistore.com.au)

Reviewed by Shane Jenkins/bmxultra.com June 9, 2025