Lyne Components first came to our attention with their well-price Contour dropper seatpost. Since then the Cape Town based company has continued to expand their range of cycling components, to include the Pulse crankset and chainring.
The Pulse crankset is forged aluminium designed for the demands of XC and trail riding. To save weight the 6061 T6 alloy arms are carved out. The Pulse is available in two arm lengths: 170mm and 175mm. Lyne offer both a threaded BSA and PressFit bottom bracket for the crank’s 24 mm spindle.
The chainring is directly mounted to the crankset using a 3-bolt system and is compatible with SRAM direct mount cranks. The chainrings are made from 7075 T6 alloy and anodized black. They feature a narrow wide tooth pattern for chain retention. The chainrings are available for boost (3mm chainring offset) or non-boost (6mm chainring offset) chainlines. Lyne also has a direct mount double chainring cluster for two-by drivetrains.
We tested the 175 mm threaded bottom bracket variant of the Pulse cranks with a non-boost 32 tooth chainring fitted to our Transition Smuggler long term test bike.
Installation is a relatively simple five-minute job. You only need three tools: an 8 mm hex key; a bottom bracket tool, and a torx screw to attach the chainring bolts. The bottom bracket, being threaded, screws into place hassle-free. Then the cranks are held in place by a single bolt system.
Altogether the crank arms, bottom bracket, 32 tooth chainring, spacers, and some grit and grease weighed in at 830 grams. Lyne’s claimed weight is 690 grams with a 30T chainring.
Specifications:
Chainline: 49mm
Q Factor: 175mm
Material: 6061 T6
Bottom Bracket: BSA Threaded or PF92.
Length: 175mm
Speed: 9/10/11
Spindle: 22/24mm
Claimed Weight: 690g (30T)
On the trails
Truth be told, you only really pay any attention to a crank when something goes wrong. And in that sense, the Lyne was superb. The only attention it required was a half turn on the spindle bolt to silence a creak.
The Lyne cranks are sufficiently stiff with little sign of flex. The threaded bottom bracket and its bearings have held up well to general trail riding and healthy dose of winter mud.
Being on test, I did not fit boot caps and exposed the ends of the Pulse crank arms to some rock strikes, which they took on the chin and resulting in nothing more than the expected scratches.
For those that like cosmetics, the white decals on the black crank arms look polished. There is no sign of rub from shoes on crank arms, even with riding the somewhat wide Five Ten Kestrel. For those that are worried about crank arm rub or would just like to change the colour of the crank decals, Lyne offer protection stickers in a number of colours.
The chainring has been reliable with no memorable chain drops and wear (so far) being on par with other chainrings. The multi-armed design looks good and, more importantly, strong.
You might be thinking that the Pulse sounds much like any other aluminium crankset but there is one aspect that is rather extraordinary, the price. The Pulse sells for R1,699 including a bottom bracket and chainring. For a direct mount, single ring specific aluminium crank, this beats most other offerings in the market.
Final thoughts
The Lyne Pulse offers a reliable and quality crankset at a low price.
Pros
- Quality product at an affordable price
- Easy installation
Cons
- It is a crank and it worked. Not much to complain about.