Discraft Crank

Discraft Crank Review

The Crank is a very fast maximum distance driver for players with above-average speed and snap. Discraft has been "cranking" out this disc for 10 years, so there are a lot of different plastic blends in stock. The following Discraft Crank review will help determine which Crank on sale is right for you.

Discraft Crank Plastics

• Z Line: A stiff, slick, translucent, and very durable blend. Discs have a bit less turn and a stronger fade in this plastic.  
• Big Z: Virtually identical to Z Line, the Big Z has a slightly gummier hand feel and a more opaque look.
• Titanium: A very stiff blend that has maximum durability. Discs generally fly more overstable in this plastic. 
• ESP: Solid durability but with a more flexible and softer hand feel. Discs generally fly close to their posted fight numbers in ESP. 
• FLX: The Crank is produced in both Z FLX and ESP FLX. Both are very flexible and gummy versions of the regular Z and ESP blends. Discs will fly more understable in this plastic.
• CryZtal Sparkle: A sparkly version for Z plastic. 
• Pro D: Baseline plastic with excellent grip but very low durability. Good for putters and mids, but prone to extreme warping for wide-rimmed high-speed drivers. 
• X Line: X Line also has an excellent grip but with slightly more durability than Pro D. Discs will fly more understable and break in very quickly in this blend.

Discraft Crank Flight Numbers

• Speed: 13
• Glide: 5
• Turn: -2
• Fade: 2

For most players, the Crank's turn rating starts closer to a -1 or 0, and the fade rating closer to a 3. It won't produce hyzer flips and flex lines right away. Instead, it will hold the initial line and make a hard hyzer fade. Those with above-average speed and snap will get a brand-new Crank to turn and glide on long flex lines. Hyzer flips become easier as it breaks in. 

Dimensions

• Diameter: 21.1cm
• Height: 1.6cm
• Rim Depth: 1.1cm
• Rim Width: 2.4cm

LIke all discs with elite speed, the Crank has a very wide rim that players with smaller hands may find difficult to control. It does compensate for the 2.4cm rim width by having a low and aerodynamic profile. Many runs fo the Crank have a flatter top, making it especially comfortable in the forehand grip. 

History

When Discraft introduced the Crank in 2013, it joined the Nuke as the only 13-speed discs in their lineup. Along with the Nuke SS, it was developed as a more workable option in the ulta-fast category. In 2015 Discraft released the Crank SS, a more understable and beginner-friendly version of the Crank. 

Skill Level Recommendations

The extreme speed and wide rim make the Crank best suited for more experienced players. 

• Novice: Too fast and stable to fly well for newer players. 
• Intermediate: Profiles as a stable to overstable distance driver for players at this skill level. Very predictable fade with distance upside. Good for long hyzers, skip shots, and windy days. 
• Advanced: Potential workhorse in the distance driver slot. Can absorb maximum speed and torque while still maintaining a predictable fade. Perfect for long hyzer flips and flex shots. 
• Pro: Slightly understable with a lot of glide and gentle fade.