Riders on CUES 2x trail, trekking or touring bikes who need a replacement crankset with a very low climbing gear.
The Shimano CUES FC-U4000-2 is a two-ring crankset built for the CUES family, Shimano's hard-wearing 9, 10 and 11-speed platform. This version pairs a 36T outer ring with a 22T inner, giving a genuinely low climbing gear for loaded touring, hilly commutes and steep trail climbs.
It runs on a square taper (JIS) spindle, the simple and very serviceable bottom bracket standard, and fits 68 or 73 mm threaded shells. The chainrings are riveted to the spider, and shaped teeth help keep the chain on over bumps.
With 175 mm arms, a 48.8 mm chainline and a 178 mm Q-factor, it's a like-for-like swap for many factory CUES 2x builds. The bottom bracket is sold separately.
36-22T double
A wide spread with a low 22T ring for steep or loaded climbing.
CUES compatible
Built for Shimano CUES 9, 10 and 11-speed drivetrains.
Square taper spindle
Simple, durable and easy to service.
175 mm arms
The common length for medium to larger riders on trail and touring bikes.
Crankset
Fit
CUES platform
Shimano's shared 9, 10 and 11-speed drivetrain family built around LINKGLIDE, designed for long wear life on everyday, trail and e-bikes.
Dynamic Chain Engagement+
Shaped chainring teeth that help hold the chain in place over rough ground.
Great for
Maybe not for
Needs a square taper (JIS) bottom bracket in a 68 or 73 mm threaded shell, sold separately. Retailers list a Shimano BB-UN101 with a 123 mm spindle for this crank; bring the bike in and we'll confirm the right spindle length for your frame. Use a CUES 2x front derailleur and shifter.
Check your bottom bracket first
Square taper cranks are simple, but spindle length sets your chainline. If your current crank is also CUES square taper, reuse the same bottom bracket length. Torque the fixing bolts properly and re-check them after the first ride, as square taper arms can bed in.
The world's biggest name in bike components.
Shimano was founded in Sakai, Japan in 1921 and grew into the largest maker of bicycle drivetrain components in the world.
CUES is its drivetrain family for everyday, trail and e-bike riding, designed around long wear life and shared parts across 9, 10 and 11-speed.
