In a message dated 11/11/01 2:50:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com writes:
<< "Crank arm" is redundant. In all cases where it is used, "crank" or "arm" alone would suffice. >>
"Crank arm" is redundant, but it is unambiguous. "Crank" isn't bad, but "arm" is quite a bit ambiguous. "I broke my stem during the ride" is unambigous. But saying, "I broke my arm during the ride" is quite ambiguous. Should we send an ambulance or order a new bike part? --- And my wife wife might wonder what the heck I was doing if I told her that I broke my crank. ;-) I'll stick with "crank arm" for now, even though it's redundant.
In an attempt to put a "classic" angle on this bike language topic, how about the term "alloy". From as long as I can remember, the bike industry has used the term "alloy" to mean aluminum alloy. Well, steel is an alloy, too. Not too many iron frames going down the road! How did "alloy" come to only apply to aluminum alloy?
Glenn Fahey
Herndon, VA