3T has been all in on 1x setups ever since they launched the Exploro adventure frameset. With the Strada 1x aero road frame, the Italian brand is showing a single chainring can be a viable option for the road with the success of the Aqua Blue Sport Pro Cycling Team. In the pursuit of further integration and aerodynamics, 3T adds the Torno crank to their line up.
The Torno, available in LTD level only, is another design by 3T’s Gerard Vrooman, paired with the engineering know-how and production capabilities of THM, who was acquired by 3T in 2016. The crankset is a full carbon affair, with narrow, elliptical shaped arms to remain aerodynamic as they spin. While most cranksets are 15-17mm wide at the pedal, the Torina is 12mm. The axle and spider are also carbon fiber and keep a narrow q-factor (142mm) to keep your legs closer to the center of the bike. The spindle is designed to work with the following bottom bracket standards: BB386EVO, BB30, Press Fit 30, Shimano Press Fit, BBright, Italian threads, and Press Road BSA. They won’t give us details about the exact layup and modulus of carbon used, but they blend unidirectional can woven carbon at different moduli to create an extremely stiff crankset that is the second lightest crank on the market, behind THM’s Clavicula SE. The Torno is limited to a rider, bike, and gear weight of 246lbs.
Speaking of the spider, it features a unique shape that locks you into 3T’s chainrings that were developed and produced by Wolf Tooth. The round ring uses Wolf Tooth’s Drop Stop narrow/wide tooth pattern to keep the chain locked on, even over the roughest terrain. Instead of transferring power at the mounting bolts and arms of the spider, like traditional crankset, the chainring matches the complete shape of the spider so the entire interface transfers power to the chain. The drive side arm and spider are kept separate, which lets the two act independently when it comes to the air passing by.
The Torno comes in three lengths, 170, 172.5, and 175mm and weighs in at 340g (crank arms, spindle, and spider in 172.5mm). Chainrings add an additional 79g for the 36t, 89g for the 40t, and 110g for the 44t. When running 3T’s 9-32 cassette, 36t chainring equivalent to 48-34 chainrings with 12-30 cassette, 40t chainring equivalent to 53/36 chainrings with 12-29 cassette, and 44t chainring equivalent to 54/36 chainring with 11-26 cassette.
At $1,260 and another $119 for the chainring, the Torno is definitely a premium crankset for those looking to get the best combination of lightweight, stiffness, and aerodynamics for their 1x setup. It is currently listed on the 3T online store, but showing out of stock for now.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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