Stevan Thomas wrote
(re cottered alloy cranks)
> I believe T.A. made a set like that.
The TA 1500 is often called a cottered crank and I don't mind that terminology, but it should be pointed out that they are fundamentally different from cottered cranks in that the "cotter" (really a pinch bolt) doesn't take any of the pedaling forces. The unique pie-shaped axle-crank interface is pretty much rideable with the cotters out, except the arms can drift side-to-side.
The precision of the fit between the axle and crank is amazing - this must be one reason they stopped making them; it can't be easy to maintain such tolerances. Any cottered crank is quite crude by comparison. Loosen one allen-head bolt and the crank slides off! You don't have to take the cotter all the way out, just loosen it, if you file a little catch off the end of the axle as I did on mine. (The catch would keep the crank from falling off if the bolt were loose, but it would have to drift so far before it fell off that you would notice it in time unless you were very oblivious - and these bolts don't loosen up.)
For pictures and good explanations check out Joel Metz's site,
http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA