[CR]Now: Breaking Cranks Was: Desperately seeking C Record

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 10:24:22 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
Cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <F174MmJJXFhLWCACNTf0000def5@hotmail.com> <053301c1a687$576c36b0$efddfea9@mooshome>
Subject: [CR]Now: Breaking Cranks Was: Desperately seeking C Record

I have posted this site in the past, but maybe it would be a good time for a revisit?

http://pardo.net/pardo/bike/pic/fail/FAIL-001.html

Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California

Jerry & Liz Moos wrote:
>
> We've had this discussion before in terms of the risk of riding old aluminum
> components, including frames. I'm of the "dare devil" school who rides them
> and doesn't worry much about it. I should qualify this by saying that I do
> inspect parts frequently, especially those with a reputation for breaking,
> like Campy cranks and AVA bars and stems. Old parts do definitely fail (of
> course so do new ones), but a given rider will experience only a few such
> failures in a lifetime, and in the vast majority of cases a crack will be
> noticed on a pre-ride or post-ride inspection before any effect is felt.
> Even when a component cracks during a ride, it usually just causes excessive
> flex in the part, which calls for riding home at a slower pace which
> minimizes stress on the cracked component. Usually the very worst that
> happens is that one has a long walk home. Of course, one hears horror
> stories of crank arms breaking completely off during a furious sprint, or
> bars or brakes failing suddenly on a 60 mph descent, but I believe such
> occurrences are extemely rare. I've never been injured or even come close
> due to a component other than tires failing. I would say at least 95% of
> bicycle injuries are caused by careless motorists, unexpected road surface
> hazards, or the carelessness of the cyclist himself, including failure to
> have proper lights at night. Of the 5% caused by equipment, nearly all are
> because of grossly negligent maintenance, like nonfunctioning brakes, or by
> a tire blowing out at a dangerous moment. The chance of being injured by
> the failure of a component other than tires is, in my opinion, not much
> greater than that of being struck by lightning. Other than diligent
> inspection of parts, I refuse to be worried about.
>
> As to Campy cranks specifically, many develop tiny cracks, some of which you
> almost need a magnifying glass to see, but this relaively infrequently
> causes any noticeable effect on performance, let alone the crank breaking
> entirely apart. Though I prefer French or Zeus equipment, I have had
> several bikes with Campy NR/SR cranks. The only NR crank I've ever had to
> replace was on my 1968 Allegro Special, and that crack was not at the
> spider, or even on the right arm. I noticed on a post-ride inspection that
> the left crank pedal hole was cracked all the way through, and promply
> replaced it with no harm done (except to my budget).
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry "I don't ride in lightning storms" Moos
> Houston, TX
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Robb" <px10le@hotmail.com>
> To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 9:32 AM
> Subject: [CR]Desperately seeking C Record
>
> > Greeting fellow list members,
> > I am looking for a C Record crankset to replace the Super Record version
> on
> > one of my bikes. I just can't seem to put away the fear that it is going
> to
> > break off on me the next time I sprint for the city limit sign or stomp up
> a
> > steep hill. I did file them at the radius where cracks usually occur and
> > check them religiously but the doubt persists. Plus I'm getting to that
> age
> > where a 42 just doesn't cut it anymore. So if any of you have such a crank
> > in 172.5 and suitable for a daily rider please respond to me off the list.
> > Thanks very much,
> > Jim Robb
> > Granada Hills, CA