Buying cranks - why so expensive...

[cyclingnolycra]

So I'd love to try some shorter cranks (165mm). Currently using 172.5mm.

But they're so expensive? Cheapest I'm seeing is about $160 for a 105 50-34 165mm chainset on aliexpress (I'm using 105 now).
What's the go with that? Aren't they just bits of metal that are machined? 165mm cranks are also uncommon on 2nd hand sites. Maybe I could get the chainset and then sell the old chainset for a few dollars...

Sorry, this is more of a whinge than anything...

[MattyK]

There's a bit more to it than a machined piece of metal. Forged arms, hollow assembly in the case of 105 and above, pressed in axle, precision machining and alignment.

But I get your point, for a mass produced part it still seems pricey. Been glancing at shorter cranks for a triathlon setup. Try finding decent <=160mm cranks at a reasonable price...

[find_bruce]

I last bought 11 speed cranks 5800 around 2 years ago for ~A$110. Now the same cranks are double that. I don't think the manufacturing costs have changed.

Shimano supplied manufacturers with parts at a major discount to wholesale parts price encourage OEM fitment. When the manufacturers had excess parts for any reason they would offload them to wriggle etc. The only difference was you didn't get the fancy retail packaging.

What I suspect is happening is that Shimano has acted to stop that practice, hence the major increase in prices

[madmacca]

So I'd love to try some shorter cranks (165mm). Currently using 172.5mm.

But they're so expensive? Cheapest I'm seeing is about $160 for a 105 50-34 165mm chainset on aliexpress (I'm using 105 now).
What's the go with that? Aren't they just bits of metal that are machined? 165mm cranks are also uncommon on 2nd hand sites. Maybe I could get the chainset and then sell the old chainset for a few dollars...

Sorry, this is more of a whinge than anything...

The expensive part is the large chainring.

[cyclingnolycra]

If the expensive part is the large chainring, why is it hard to find cranks by themselves?
(If there's a good place to buy just cranks, please enlighten me!)

The prices are almost high enough to justify getting a crank-based power meter instead!

[MattyK]

Trisled has some quite cheap 155s, if you're willing to swap to a square taper BB.