Universal crossbow crank compatibility, explained

Products called universal cranks exist and the word means something narrower than it sounds. The Atdsetr BAR20020 describes itself as universal fit, and its compatibility claim is "most Barnett crossbow series." That is universal within Barnett, which is not the same thing.

Why cranks are brand-specific

A crank has to do three things mechanically, and each one depends on the bow's geometry:

1. Mount rigidly to the stock. The bracket pattern, bolt spacing and stock shape all differ by maker. CenterPoint's Power Draw needs a MIL-SPEC buffer tube, which is a specific stock architecture.
2. Pull the string square. The claw or hooks have to engage both sides of the string at the right spacing for that rail width.
3. Reach the right stop. Power stroke varies by bow, so the amount of cable the crank spools is bow-specific.

Get any of those wrong and the crank either does not fit, pulls unevenly, or over-draws the bow — which is a safety problem, not a performance one.

In detail

Cranks and the universal fallback

01Barnett-pattern crank at two-thirds the price

$105.99/Amazon

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Atdsetr BAR20020 Crank Cocking Device

Atdsetr

8.2/ 10

An aftermarket build of Barnett's BAR20020 crank, publishing the same 93 percent reduction and the same broad Barnett compatibility, for noticeably less money. The listing's own closing line is the honest caveat: check your model carefully before you order.

Published spec	Value
Effort reduction	93%
Type	Crank, stock-mounted
Pattern	Barnett BAR20020 replacement
Fits	Most Barnett series including Raptor, Whitetail Hunter, Ghost, Recruit
Handed	Ambidextrous
Hardware	Standard hooks and install hardware included
De-cocks	Not published

What it does well

• The same 93 percent figure as the Barnett original, for less
• Broad Barnett compatibility
• Ambidextrous with an ergonomic grip

Where it falls short

• Aftermarket, so there is no maker warranty behind the Barnett fit claim
• Compatibility needs checking model by model
• No de-cocking

Our rubric

Effort reduction

9.4

Fit range

7.4

Noise

7.0

Pack size

6.4

Value

8.8

02The best-documented effort reduction here

$149.99/Amazon

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Barnett Crank Cocking Device

Barnett

8.6/ 10

Barnett publishes two numbers that almost nobody else does: 93 percent resistance reduction, and 13 pounds of actual pull at the handle. On a 150-pound Barnett that turns an impossible draw into something you can do one-handed from a seated position. The compatibility list on the listing runs to dozens of named models, which is the other reason to pick it — you can check your bow before you buy.

Published spec	Value
Effort reduction	93%
Pull at the handle	13 lb
Type	Crank, stock-mounted
Handed	Ambidextrous
Fits	Barnett Raptor, Whitetail Hunter, Ghost, Recruit, Droptine, Wildcat and more
Hardware	Crank plus all installation hardware included
De-cocks	Not published

What it does well

• 93 percent reduction and a 13 lb handle pull, both published
• A named-model compatibility list you can check against your bow
• Ambidextrous handle
• Everything needed to install is in the box

Where it falls short

• Barnett bows only — check the list, because it is specific
• The listing does not say whether it de-cocks
• Mounts to the stock, so it stays on the bow and adds weight

Our rubric

Effort reduction

9.6

Fit range

7.8

Noise

7.4

Pack size

6.4

Value

8.2

03Cheapest real crank on the site

$58.99/Amazon

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CenterPoint Power Draw Crank

CenterPoint

8.0/ 10

70 percent effort reduction for about a third of what a Barnett crank costs, mounting to CenterPoint bows with a MIL-SPEC buffer tube. 70 percent is less than the 93 percent Barnett publishes, but on a 185-pound bow it is the difference between cannot and can.

Published spec	Value
Effort reduction	70%
Type	Crank, clip-on
Mount	MIL-SPEC buffer tube
Fits	CenterPoint bows with a MIL-SPEC buffer tube, including Amped 425 and Sniper Elite 385
Handed	Right or left
Carry	Clips off and fits in a gear bag
De-cocks	Not published

What it does well

• Cheapest published effort reduction per dollar here
• Clips off for the walk in
• Ambidextrous

Where it falls short

• 70 percent is the lowest crank figure here; a 220 lb bow still leaves 66 lb
• MIL-SPEC buffer tube bows only
• No de-cocking

Our rubric

Effort reduction

7.6

Fit range

6.4

Noise

7.0

Pack size

8.6

Value

9.4

04A crank you can take off and carry in a pocket

$249.98/Amazon

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Excalibur Charger EXT

Excalibur

8.4/ 10

12 pounds of draw effort, and a quick-detach system that lets you pull the whole crank off in seconds and put it in a pack. That is the difference that matters: most cranks live on the bow and add weight for the whole walk. Excalibur bows only — TwinStrike, Micro and Bulldog series.

Published spec	Value
Draw effort	12 lb
Type	Crank, quick-detach
Handed	Ambidextrous, detachable handle
Fits	Excalibur TwinStrike, Micro and Bulldog series
Material	High-strength aluminum alloy
Carry	Removes in seconds for pack or pocket
De-cocks	Not published

What it does well

• 12 lb of effort, among the lowest published figures here
• Quick-detach, so the weight is only on the bow when you need it
• Aluminum alloy rather than a polymer body
• Ambidextrous and the handle itself detaches

Where it falls short

• Excalibur bows only
• One of the most expensive cocking aids on the site
• Some older Excalibur models need a retrofit

Our rubric

Effort reduction

9.4

Fit range

6.8

Noise

7.6

Pack size

9.2

Value

7.0

05Cheap, universal, and kind to your rail

$16.44/Amazon

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Allen Double Handled Crossbow Cocking Rope

Allen

8.3/ 10

50 percent draw reduction, oversized handles, and the detail that earns it a place here: molded string hooks with a roller inside, so the hook does not chew the rail and the pull runs smoother. It fits most crossbow models rather than one brand.

Published spec	Value
Draw reduction	Up to 50%
Type	Rope cocker, double handle
Handles	Oversized
Hooks	Molded, with a friction-reducing roller
Fits	Most crossbow models
Rail safety	Hooks will not damage the rail
De-cocks	Not published

What it does well

• Roller hooks reduce friction and protect the rail
• Universal fit rather than brand-locked
• Oversized handles suit gloved or arthritic hands
• Cheapest branded rope cocker here

Where it falls short

• 50 percent only; this is not a crank substitute
• No published rope length
• No de-cocking

Our rubric

Effort reduction

6.8

Fit range

9.4

Noise

8.2

Pack size

9.6

Value

9.6

How to check fit properly

The mounting patterns you will encounter

The integrated-gearbox case, which catches people out

TenPoint and Wicked Ridge bows with ACUdraw, ACUdraw PRO or ACUslide already contain the winch. What you need is the crank handle that drives it. TenPoint's ACUdraw Hand Crank publishes 5 lb of cocking effort and is explicitly not compatible with ACUslide or ACUdraw De-Cock — those take a different handle.

The XTEND adjustable handle fits all ACUslide bows and includes parts to convert the square drive to a hex drive for older ACUdraw units. At full 6 in extension it also cuts effort by up to a further 45 percent, which makes it an upgrade rather than just a replacement.

What to do if your bow has no crank option

1. A rigid cocking sled rather than a rope. Same 50 percent, better string alignment. Bear's aluminum sled is the example here.
2. A longer rope, adjusted to your arm length, so the heaviest part of the pull happens in your strongest range of motion.
3. A different bow. If cocking is a genuine barrier and no aid fits, that is the honest answer. Crossbows under $1,000 lists bows with the crank built in at 5 lb.