One of the key geometry features of all Lenz Sport Mountain bikes is our super short chainstays. This feature helps you to loft over boulder gardens, roots, land drops cleanly, launch kickers, and maneuver through the most technical terrain you can find. This feature is what makes our 29+ mountain bikes as nimble as a 26er while cruising over the chunkiest trails around. The short chain stay does have one worthy sacrifice – chainring clearance.

All Lenz Sport mountain bikes are designed for use with 1x drivetrains. You can choose between 1×10, 1×11, or 1×12. Depending on the gearing you are looking for, you may run into some chainring clearance challenges. Don’t worry, there are options and we are going to break them down for you here. We will start by listing our recommended cranks and chainrings, and then dive into the necessary specs for other brands that we don’t generally suggest.

Sram Cranks – Sram cranks work very well on Lenz bikes.

  1. Sram GXP or Sram DUB cranks systems with the 3-bolt direct mount chainrings are the best choice.
  2. We recommend using a direct mount chainring. 3mm offset chainrings are the most ideal, but you can get a little larger of a chainring on if you use a 0mm offset chainring.
  3. Install Bottom Bracket without any BB spacers. Then use spindle spacers to micro adjust the position. The goal is to have the chainring as close to the chain stay as possible without touching. 1-2mm of clearance is fine.
  4. Install crank per instructions and you are good to go.
  5. Maximum Chainring size with 3mm offset – 26t
  6. Maximum Chainring size with 0mm offset – 30t

Race Face Cinch Cranks – These are a good choice for Lenz Bikes. Follow these instructions for set up. 

  1. Remove the sleeve from the bottom bracket. This part is virtually useless anyway, and it seems to get warped and cause extra drag. Not sure why.
  2. Install Bottom Bracket without any BB spacers. Then use spindle spacers to micro adjust the position. The goal is to have the chainring as close to the chain stay as possible without touching. 1-2mm of clearance is fine.
  3. Flip the direct mount chainring so that it’s offset outboard, which is the spec for boost spacing. That’s what’s cool about these chainrings, is that they are made to be reversed.
  4. This will bring the chainline out a bit, but that is okay with single chainring set ups. Try and use spindle spacers to adjust the chainline so it’s as close as possible to the chain stay without the crank arms hitting on either side.
  5. Install crank per instructions and you are good to go.
  6. Maximum Chainring size – 32t

Shimano Cranks – Shimano cranks are not the best choice but will work with more limited chainring options

  1. If you use a Shimano crank, you will need a BOOST spacing crank with a 28t maximum chainring.
  2. Install one BB spacer included with the bottom bracket onto the drive side.
  3. Maximum Chainring size – 28t
  4. You can still use Sram or Raceface cranks with Shimano drivetrains – so no biggie if you still want Shimano derailleurs and shifters. Just use a Sram or Raceface crank if you need bigger than a 28t chainring.