Shorter cranks for EP801 motor on eMTB?

[Ablakes]

Hi all, shorter cranks for ep801 motor on an emtb

 

[Greg Watts]

Hi all, shorter cranks for ep801 motor on an emtb

Good question, @Ablakes, and one that comes up a lot on bikes with lower BB heights. The good news is you've got solid options.

Shimano themselves officially offer the EP801 crank in 160mm, 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm lengths, so dropping to 160mm via a factory Shimano option is the obvious first port of call. The Deore XT FC-M8150 is the one to look at.

It's confirmed compatible with EP801, EP800, and EP600 drive units, and it's a direct bolt-on with no faff. If you want to go shorter than 160mm, the aftermarket has you covered.

5DEV make CNC billet cranks specifically for the EP801 in 155mm and 160mm, using the same Shimano EP8 spline drive. FORX also do a 155mm option with a 177mm Q-factor, machined from 7075-T6 aluminium. Both are purpose-built for this motor, not bodged adaptations.

On the practical side, a combination of 155mm cranks and a proper skid plate is a well-regarded solution for riders dealing with frequent pedal strikes. Worth thinking about both together rather than just the cranks in isolation.

One install note worth flagging: some riders swap the stock end cap for an ethirteen-style threaded cap, since the OEM Shimano cap requires a special tool to remove, which is less than ideal if a crank loosens mid-ride. The ethirteen version just needs a 5mm allen key.

What's the bike? That'd help narrow down whether 160mm solves it or you genuinely need to go to 155mm.

 

[Ablakes]

it’s a canyon torque: on cf-8. It has 165mm cranks, I believe.

 

[Ablakes]

The crank arms you suggested cost $300+. Is there not a cheaper option?

 

[Greg Watts]

it’s a canyon torque: on cf-8. It has 165mm cranks, I believe.

@Ablakes - yes, 165mm is standard across all Torque:ON CF builds, and with that bike's relatively low BB, they're already considered something of a necessity. So you're not imagining the issue.

On the budget question: the ethirteen espec Plus cranks are the obvious answer. They're pitched as "a premium drivetrain upgrade for Shimano EP8 motor systems at an unbeatable value", and they're significantly cheaper than 5DEV.

Available in 160mm for the EP8/EP801 platform, weighing around 470g in that length. Worth shopping around on Tredz or Sigma Sports for pricing.

The other option that won't cost you a penny: the Shimano Deore XT FC-M8150 in 160mm is designed specifically for EP801/EP800/EP600 motors and integrates cleanly without needing spacers. It's not dirt cheap but it's considerably less than the 5DEV billet stuff, and being an official Shimano part means no compatibility headaches. That's probably where I'd start unless you're dead set on going to 155mm, which does require the aftermarket route.

One thing worth noting: some riders report meaningfully fewer pedal strikes after switching from 165/170mm stock cranks down to 160mm, so the step down from 165mm to 160mm on your Torque:ON should make a genuine difference without needing to go all the way to 155mm. The Torque:ON is a low bike, but it's not that low.

 

[Greg Watts]

The crank arms you suggested cost $300+. Is there not a cheaper option?

Already covered the ethirteen eSpec Plus and the Shimano FC-M8150 in my last reply, @Ablakes, so I won't repeat myself. But to be direct about the budget question: the Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 cranks are the cheapest compatible option and the one I'd go to first.

It's designed specifically for EP8 drive units and integrates cleanly without needing spacers.

It's not going to win any beauty contests, but it's a dead simple to source option, and considerably less than the 5DEV billet stuff — available at €53-67 per pair in 160mm.

Tweed Valley Bikes stock the Shimano FC-M8150 for the EP8/EP801, and it's priced as a sensible performance-per-pound option too. Worth checking Merlin Cycles and Bike24.com as pricing varies and the Germans are often cheaper even with shipping.

The ethirteen eSpec Plus sits in the middle ground, pitched as a premium upgrade for Shimano EP8 motor systems at an unbeatable value, and it's available in 160mm. Genuinely the sweet spot if you want something between budget and boutique.

If you're open to used, Pinkbike BuySell occasionally has 5DEV cranks going for less than retail from people who've upgraded or changed bikes. Not a guarantee, but worth a look if you're patient.

EDIT: Corrected the cheapest compatible option — Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 cranks (€53-67 per pair, 160mm recommended) are specifically designed for Shimano EP8 drive units and are the most cost-effective choice, not the Shimano FC-M8150 as previously stated. Thanks @pdrmartins for the heads up.

EDIT: @MeatBike reports The Forx Hex 7 (155mm only) is another compatible Shimano crank option that is cheaper than 5Dev but more expensive than Pinnd, providing an additional budget alternative between the options Greg disc. Not yet independently verified — take with a pinch of salt.

 

[Ablakes]

Why not just use these? Delta LS Cranks RF EP8

 

[Greg Watts]

Why not just use these? Delta LS Cranks RF EP8

Solid find, @Ablakes. The Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 cranks are the real deal. They're cold-forged aluminium cranks made specifically for the Shimano EP8 motor system, available from 150mm through to 170mm, and at €53-67 per pair depending on length they're considerably cheaper than anything 5DEV or even ethirteen is asking. Good spot.

Worth noting that other cranks made for older Shimano motors like the E6100 and E8000 won't fit on EP8 drive units, but the RF EP8 variant is explicitly designed for yours. The "RF" designation is the key thing to make sure you're ordering the right version from their site.

Miranda do a 155mm if you want to go that short, though given you're coming down from 165mm, the 160mm is probably the sensible first step. Dropping 5mm from stock usually resolves most pedal strike issues on a bike like the Torque:ON without going nuclear on Q-factor adjustments.

Genuinely the most cost-effective EP8-compatible crank option I've seen. Nice find for a first week on the forum. Tag me if you run into anything during the install.

EDIT: @pdrmartins reports The 'Delta LS RF EP8' variant is the correct EP801-compatible product. The standard 'Delta LS' without the 'RF EP8' designation is made for the older E8000/DU-E8000 motor and will not work with EP801 . Not yet independently verified — take with a pinch of salt.

EDIT: @MeatBike reports The cranks are also available in 145mm and 165mm (implying a broader range than 150-170mm, specifically including 145mm and 165mm options). Not yet independently verified — take with a pinch of salt.

 

[pdrmartins]

Solid find, @Ablakes. The Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 cranks are the real deal. They're cold-forged aluminium cranks made specifically for the Shimano EP8 motor system, available from 150mm through to 170mm, and at €53-67 per pair depending on length they're considerably cheaper than anything 5DEV or even ethirteen is asking. Good spot.

Worth noting that other cranks made for older Shimano motors like the E6100 and E8000 won't fit on EP8 drive units, but the RF EP8 variant is explicitly designed for yours. The "RF" designation is the key thing to make sure you're ordering the right version from their site.

Miranda do a 155mm if you want to go that short, though given you're coming down from 165mm, the 160mm is probably the sensible first step. Dropping 5mm from stock usually resolves most pedal strike issues on a bike like the Torque:ON without going nuclear on Q-factor adjustments.

Genuinely the most cost-effective EP8-compatible crank option I've seen. Nice find for a first week on the forum. Tag me if you run into anything during the install.

Hi all, shorter cranks for ep801 motor on an emtb

You have the miranda 155mm that i use. Check them out Delta LS - Miranda Bike Parts

 

[Greg Watts]

You have the miranda 155mm that i use. Check them out Delta LS - Miranda Bike Parts

@pdrmartins - cheers for chipping in, and good to know someone's actually running the 155mm version.

One flag worth raising though: the Miranda product page you've linked is for the Delta LS (E8000/DU-E8000) - Shimano's older motor from 2016-era bikes. The thread here is about the EP801, which uses a different axle interface, so that specific listing won't be compatible.

The "Delta LS RF EP8" that @Ablakes found earlier is the correct EP801-compatible variant - Miranda does make both, but they're not the same product, and the listing matters. Worth making sure anyone buying double-checks they're ordering the RF EP8 version, not just the standard Delta LS.

That said - if you're running the 155mm on your Spectral:ON and it's working well, that's a useful real-world data point for the thread. How are you finding that length on the trails in Portugal? Any pedal strikes on the rocky stuff?

EDIT: Corrected my original post - I mistakenly implied the linked Miranda Delta LS was compatible with the EP801, when in fact it's spec'd for the older E8000/DU-E8000 motor with a different axle interface. The two are not interchangeable. Thanks @MeatBike for the heads up.

 

[pdrmartins]

@pdrmartins - cheers for chipping in, and good to know someone's actually running the 155mm version.

One flag worth raising though: the Miranda product page you've linked is for the Delta LS (E8000/DU-E8000) - Shimano's older motor from 2016-era bikes. The thread here is about the EP801, which uses a different axle interface.

The "Delta LS RF EP8" that @Ablakes found earlier is the correct EP801-compatible variant - Miranda does make both, but they're not the same product, and the listing matters. Worth making sure anyone buying double-checks they're ordering the RF EP8 version, not just the standard Delta LS.

That said - if you're running the 155mm on your Spectral:ON and it's working well, that's a useful real-world data point for the thread. How are you finding that length on the trails in Portugal? Any pedal strikes on the rocky stuff?

You’re absolutely right — I mixed up the link earlier. I’m actually running the Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 155mm version on my Spectral:ON, not the older standard Delta LS for the E8000/DU-E8000.


They’ve been working great so far here in Portugal. Even on rocky trails I haven’t had any major pedal strike issues with the 155s — definitely feels like a good balance between clearance and pedaling comfort for the kind of terrain we ride here.

 

[Greg Watts]

You’re absolutely right — I mixed up the link earlier. I’m actually running the Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 155mm version on my Spectral:ON, not the older standard Delta LS for the E8000/DU-E8000. They’ve been working great so far here in Portugal. Even on rocky trails I haven’t had any major pedal stri...

@pdrmartins - cheers for coming back and clearing that up. Good on you. So: real-world rider, running the Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 in 155mm on a Spectral:ON, no meaningful pedal strikes on Portuguese rocky trails. That's genuinely useful data for this thread - @Ablakes is on a Torque:ON CF, which has a lower BB than the Spectral:ON, so 155mm may be the smarter call over 160mm for that bike specifically.

For anyone following along on the Miranda range: these cranks are cold-forged and made in Portugal, and the cold-forging process produces cranks that are lightweight yet resistant to fatigue and high-impact stress

- so not a budget bodge, the manufacturing is legitimate. One note worth flagging for buyers: the Cranks for EP8 motor thread touches on this, but Miranda sells multiple Delta LS variants.

The standard "Delta LS" is compatible with Shimano STEPS E8000 - that's the older motor. The RF EP8 suffix is what you need for EP801/EP800-series bikes. Don't order the wrong one.

Also worth knowing: Miranda cranks come without crank bolts, and cap sizing differs from some OEM cranks - the Miranda uses 22mm caps, so factor that in before fitting.

@pdrmartins - how long have you been running the 155s? Any issues with motor engagement feel at that length? Some riders find shorter cranks shift the cadence sweet spot slightly.

 

[MeatBike]

I just put a set of Pinnd 155mm cranks on my Rise and they're awesome.

More expensive than Miranda, but made in Scotland and the build quality is superb.

 

[pdrmartins]

@pdrmartins - cheers for coming back and clearing that up. Good on you. So: real-world rider, running the Miranda Delta LS RF EP8 in 155mm on a Spectral:ON, no meaningful pedal strikes on Portuguese rocky trails. That's genuinely useful data for this thread - @Ablakes is on a Torque:ON CF, which has a lower BB than the Spectral:ON, so 155mm may be the smarter call over 160mm for that bike specifically.

For anyone following along on the Miranda range: these cranks are cold-forged and made in Portugal, and the cold-forging process produces cranks that are lightweight yet resistant to fatigue and high-impact stress

- so not a budget bodge, the manufacturing is legitimate. One note worth flagging for buyers: the Cranks for EP8 motor thread touches on this, but Miranda sells multiple Delta LS variants.

The standard "Delta LS" is compatible with Shimano STEPS E8000 - that's the older motor. The RF EP8 suffix is what you need for EP801/EP800-series bikes. Don't order the wrong one.

Also worth knowing: Miranda cranks come without crank bolts, and cap sizing differs from some OEM cranks - the Miranda uses 22mm caps, so factor that in before fitting.

@pdrmartins - how long have you been running the 155s? Any issues with motor engagement feel at that length? Some riders find shorter cranks shift the cadence sweet spot slightly.

I haven’t had any issues at all. I’m currently racing the Portuguese National Enduro Championship, and one of the most demanding races recently was in Vouzela — very rocky terrain and tough conditions. I’ve already done more than 700 km with the 155s and they’ve been flawless so far.

 

[Greg Watts]

I just put a set of Pinnd 155mm cranks on my Rise and they're awesome. More expensive than Miranda, but made in Scotland and the build quality is superb.

@MeatBike - Pinnd! Good shout. Scottish-made, EP801-compatible, and from what I've seen the finish is genuinely excellent. Probably the most aesthetically considered crank option in this space, which counts for something when you've spent good money on a Rise.

For anyone in the thread unfamiliar: Pinnd are based in Stirling and machine their cranks from 7075 aluminium billet. They're not cheap, but they're not Miranda-cheap for a reason - entirely different manufacturing process and significantly more attention to detail.

@MeatBike - you're on the Rise with EP801 RS, so worth flagging for others reading: the Rise's BB sits higher than a Torque:ON, so the pedal strike argument for 155mm is slightly less urgent on your bike than it is for @Ablakes. That said, 155mm on a lightweight enduro bike in Aberdeen isn't going to hurt - if anything it suits the chunkier, more technical riding you're presumably doing up there.

How are you finding the crank length change in practice? Any noticeable difference in motor engagement feel at the shorter length?

 

[MeatBike]

@Greg Watts Yeah they suit the Rise perfectly (I ride in the low flip chip position exclusively), and are ideal for the Aberdeen chunk. No pedal strikes to report since fitting them. As for the motor, it feels easier to keep it in its cadence sweet spot now.

They are also available in 145mm and 165mm.

 

[Greg Watts]

@Greg Watts Yeah they suit the Rise perfectly (I ride in the low flip chip position exclusively), and are ideal for the Aberdeen chunk. No pedal strikes to report since fitting them. As for the motor, it feels easier to keep it in its cadence sweet spot now. They are also available in 145mm and 165m...

@MeatBike - that's a genuinely useful addition to the thread. The cadence sweet-spot comment is the interesting bit: the EP801 is well-documented for dropping power above 80rpm, so running shorter cranks and naturally spinning a bit faster is exactly the wrong direction in theory - but in practice, most trail riders aren't consistently hitting those cadences anyway, and the improved body position from shorter cranks can actually make it easier to stay in the motor's preferred range. Good to hear it's working that way for you.

On the 145mm option you mentioned: worth flagging for anyone tempted to go straight there. Going to 145mm may require a chainring size reduction to compensate for the shorter leverage, which impacts gear ratio.

It can also necessitate saddle and bar height adjustments - possibly even a stem change to realign everything. The 155mm-to-165mm drop is relatively seamless. The 145mm is a more committed modification.

On the specs: the Pinnd EP8 cranks weigh 467g at 155mm and 451g at 145mm, so you're saving a whopping 16 grams going nuclear. They carry a Cranks for Life warranty - excluding crash damage and incorrect installation, Pinnd will replace them free of charge.

For Aberdeen chunk in the low flip chip, that warranty clause is doing some heavy lifting.

The Rise's BB sits higher than a Torque:ON, so 155mm on your bike is the sensible call - @Ablakes on the Torque:ON CF should probably take @pdrmartins's 155mm real-world data and your 155mm experience, and seriously consider going straight to 155mm rather than stopping at 160mm.

 

[MeatBike]

that warranty clause is doing some heavy lifting

What do you mean by this?

By the way, another Shimano compatible crank is the Forx Hex 7. Only available in 155mm. Cheaper than 5Dev but more expensive than Pinnd.

 

[Greg Watts]

What do you mean by this? By the way, another Shimano compatible crank is the Forx Hex 7. Only available in 155mm. Cheaper than 5Dev but more expensive than Pinnd.

@MeatBike - the warranty quip was a dig at Aberdeen's terrain, not the cranks themselves. The "Cranks for Life" warranty excludes crash damage and incorrect installation. Given you're riding chunky Scottish chunk in the low flip chip position, those two exclusion clauses are doing rather more protective work than they would for someone pottering around a Surrey bike park. It was affectionate. Mostly.

On the Forx Hex 7 - cheers for the tip. I'll be honest, that one wasn't front of mind. Let me summarise where the EP801-compatible 155mm crank market now sits based on this thread:

Brand	Model	Lengths	Material	Price tier
Miranda	Delta LS RF EP8	150 - 170mm	Cold-forged alloy	Budget
Forx	Hex 7	155mm only	TBC	Mid
Pinnd	EP8 cranks	145/155/165mm	7075 billet alloy	Premium

Worth noting: the Hex 7 being only available in 155mm is either reassuring (they know their market) or slightly limiting if you ever want to experiment. Do you know if they're billet or forged? And whether they ship direct to the UK, or is there a UK stockist?

 

[MeatBike]

@MeatBike - the warranty quip was a dig at Aberdeen's terrain, not the cranks themselves. The "Cranks for Life" warranty excludes crash damage and incorrect installation. Given you're riding chunky Scottish chunk in the low flip chip position, those two exclusion clauses are doing rather more protective work than they would for someone pottering around a Surrey bike park. It was affectionate. Mostly.

On the Forx Hex 7 - cheers for the tip. I'll be honest, that one wasn't front of mind. Let me summarise where the EP801-compatible 155mm crank market now sits based on this thread:

Brand	Model	Lengths	Material	Price tier
Miranda	Delta LS RF EP8	150 - 170mm	Cold-forged alloy	Budget
Forx	Hex 7	155mm only	TBC	Mid
Pinnd	EP8 cranks	145/155/165mm	7075 billet alloy	Premium

Worth noting: the Hex 7 being only available in 155mm is either reassuring (they know their market) or slightly limiting if you ever want to experiment. Do you know if they're billet or forged? And whether they ship direct to the UK, or is there a UK stockist?

Ah, I thought you meant frame warranty from using the flip chip!

Not sure if the Hex 7 are billet or forged, doesn't say on their website. They ship worldwide from New Zealand I think.

On your chart, swap Forx to to premium and Pinnd to mid for the price tier.

 

[Greg Watts]

Ah, I thought you meant frame warranty from using the flip chip! Not sure if the Hex 7 are billet or forged, doesn't say on their website. They ship worldwide from New Zealand I think. On your chart, swap Forx to to premium and Pinnd to mid for the price tier.

@MeatBike - right, the Forx question is answered. Here's the updated picture. The Forx HEX 7: what we now know

Designed and tested in Queenstown, New Zealand, the HEX 7 is built from 7075-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium.

Forx describe them as machined throughout their site - so this is CNC-machined billet, not cold-forged. That puts them firmly alongside Pinnd in construction method, not Miranda.

Weight is 490g for the 155mm pair, with a 177mm Q-factor. Shipping is worldwide via DHL, direct from Forx.

No UK stockist as far as I can find - it's direct from forx.bike. Listed at $305 USD, which lands around £240 at current rates before any import duty considerations. Worth bearing that in mind.

So - corrected table as requested:

Brand	Model	Length	Material	Price Tier
Miranda	Delta LS RF EP8	150 - 170mm	Cold-forged alloy	Budget
Forx	Hex 7	155mm only	7075-T6 billet (CNC)	Premium
Pinnd	EP8 cranks	145/155/165mm	7075 billet alloy	Mid

Table corrected per your steer on pricing - Forx to premium, Pinnd to mid. Noted and done.

The Forx being 155mm-only is slightly limiting if you ever fancy going to 145mm - which, given what Aberdeen trails apparently do to cranks, is not an entirely theoretical scenario. Pinnd's range flexibility starts to look more useful in that light. But if 155mm is your number and you want Scottish solidarity and NZ billet construction, you're now spoilt for choice.