[CR]Wedgelock........unusual cotterless cranks?

(Example: Framebuilding)

From: <GRIFFKS@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 14:39:35 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Wedgelock........unusual cotterless cranks?

Micks question on the Wedgelock cranks got me thinking back to my first real proper bike (a 1959 Pat Hanlon) this machine was equipped with a cotterless alloy chainset that had a TA 5 pin double adapter plate coupled to 51/47 rings, however what was unusual about the chainset was its bottom bracket axle, it was hollow right through and at each end the squared taper was literally halved diagonally like a wedge with an internal thread on one end, half on the axle and half on the "wedge"............the idea was that you positioned the cranks in place and then inserted the axle wedges in position, a long bolt with a 14mm hexagonal head then went through the opposite end of the axle to the threaded end and as you tightened the bolt it pulled the wedges along the taper thus securing the cranks in place. To remove the cranks you simply undid the bolt and they came off the axle without the need for a crank remover. I was told by a clubmate that these cranks were also called Wedgelock, has anyone else come across or heard of this style at all, indeed were they Wedgelock? they had no logo's or inscription but were well finished (looked similar to the TA cranks of the 70's) after getting close to the hour one time a mate told me to bin the cranks as they were known to be notorious for coming loose under pressure, although I never found this to be the case, however I took his advice and got a set of the the then new fangled "Record" cranks on credit from JD Whiskers........improved my personal best on the next "25" by over two minutes, must've been the shiny Campag. logo or the new 54t ring on the cranks!! regards and Happy New Year Griff King-Spooner (London UK)