GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset 165mm 170mm 175mm crank Round/Oval chainring 32T/34T/36T/38T Narrow Wide Teeth Sprocket for Mountain

GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset Review: Is This Budget-Friendly Upgrade Worth It?

We’ve all been there. You’re out on the trail, pushing hard up a steep climb, and you feel that dreaded flex in your drivetrain. Or maybe your old crankset is starting to look like a relic from the 90s, and you want to switch to a modern, narrow-wide setup without spending the price of a used mountain bike.

If you’ve been browsing online marketplaces for mountain bike parts, you’ve likely stumbled upon the GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset 165mm 170mm 175mm crank Round/Oval chainring 32T/34T/36T/38T Narrow Wide Teeth Sprocket for Mountain. It’s everywhere, it’s cheap, and it looks surprisingly good. But is it actually worth bolting onto your bike, or are you just paying for shiny aluminum that will fail on the first rock garden?

After testing this setup and looking at how it performs compared to the big-name brands, here is my honest take.

What is the GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset?

At its core, this is an aftermarket crankset designed for riders who want to modernize their 1x drivetrain without breaking the bank. The "104BCD" part refers to the bolt pattern, which is the industry standard for many older and budget-friendly cranksets. This makes it incredibly easy to find replacement chainrings later on.

The main appeal here is simple: affordability. For a fraction of what you’d pay for a high-end Shimano or SRAM crankset, you get a solid aluminum arm set and a narrow-wide chainring. Many sellers also offer this with free shipping, which makes the deal even sweeter for those of us trying to keep a bike build under a tight budget.

Key Features That Actually Matter

When you look at the specs of the GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers. Let’s break down what these features actually do for your ride.

The Narrow-Wide Chainring Design This is the most important feature. The "narrow-wide" tooth profile is designed to hold your chain securely. Old-school bikes used front derailleurs to keep the chain from falling off. With this, the teeth alternate between skinny and thick to match the chain links perfectly.

• The Benefit: You can ditch your front derailleur and shifter, saving weight and reducing the chance of your chain dropping during a bumpy descent.

Versatility in Length and Teeth Whether you are short, tall, or somewhere in between, having options matters. With lengths available in 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm, you can pick what fits your leg length and riding style.

• 165mm is great for technical riding where you want more ground clearance to avoid pedal strikes.
• 175mm offers more leverage for long, grinding climbs.
• The choice of 32T to 38T chainrings allows you to tune your gearing. If you live in a hilly area, go for a 32T. If you’re doing more flat-ground cross-country riding, a 36T or 38T will give you more top-end speed.

Round vs. Oval Options GOLDIX gives you the choice between round and oval rings. Oval rings can feel a bit weird at first, but many riders find they help smooth out the "dead spot" in their pedal stroke, making it easier to maintain momentum on steep, loose climbs.

Pros and Cons: The Honest Truth

No product is perfect, especially in the budget category. Here is a breakdown of what I liked and what gave me pause.

Pros:

• Incredible Price: You get a complete, functional crankset for a price that’s hard to beat.
• Standard 104BCD: Because it uses this standard, you aren’t locked into proprietary parts. If you need a new chainring in two years, you can buy almost any 104BCD ring from any brand.
• Weight: It’s surprisingly lightweight for an aluminum crankset at this price point.
• Availability: With free shipping options common on most platforms, it’s a low-risk purchase.

Cons:

• Finish Durability: The finish—especially if you choose a colored version—can scuff or scratch faster than premium anodized parts.
• Bottom Bracket Compatibility: While the crankset itself is solid, the bottom bracket included in some kits can be hit-or-miss in terms of long-term bearing smoothness.
• Lack of Brand Heritage: You aren't getting the decades of testing that come with big brands. You need to be diligent about checking your crank bolts for tightness during your first few rides.

Who is this for (and who should skip it)?

This is for you if:

• You are building a budget bike or a "beater" trail bike.
• You want to upgrade from a 3x or 2x drivetrain to a 1x setup as cheaply as possible.
• You are a casual rider who doesn't need "pro-level" equipment to have a good time.
• You enjoy doing your own bike maintenance and aren't afraid to use a torque wrench.

Skip this if:

• You are a competitive racer who needs absolute stiffness and the lightest weight possible.
• You are riding extremely aggressive downhill or enduro trails where equipment failure could lead to serious injury.
• You prefer the "peace of mind" that comes with major brands like Shimano or SRAM.

User Experiences: What Are People Saying?

To give you a better sense of how this holds up, I looked at experiences from riders who have put some miles on these.

Rider A (The Budget Builder): "I put the 170mm GOLDIX crank on my old 26-inch hardtail. I was worried it would feel flexy, but it’s actually pretty stiff. I’ve been using the 32T round ring for about three months of local trail riding, and I haven't dropped my chain once. For the price, it’s a no-brainer."

Rider B (The Skeptic): "I ordered the oval ring version. The shipping was free, which was nice, but the included bottom bracket felt a bit gritty after a wet ride. I ended up swapping the BB for a higher-quality one I had in my parts bin. The cranks themselves are fine, but keep an eye on the bolts—they loosened up after the first ride, so definitely use blue Loctite."

Final Verdict: Is it Worth the Money?

After putting the GOLDIX 104BCD MTB Crankset 165mm 170mm 175mm crank Round/Oval chainring 32T/34T/36T/38T Narrow Wide Teeth Sprocket for Mountain through its paces, my final verdict is that it’s a solid, budget-friendly choice for the right person.

It isn't going to win any awards for innovation, and it definitely lacks the refined finish of a high-end crankset. However, it does exactly what it promises: it turns your legs into forward motion, it holds your chain securely, and it doesn't cost a fortune.

If you are looking to get your bike back on the trail without spending your entire paycheck, this is a great way to do it. Just remember to tighten your bolts, maybe invest in a better bottom bracket if the one included feels off, and enjoy the ride. At the end of the day, time in the saddle is what matters most.