Re: [CR]French Crank Ranking

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing:Falck)

Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 20:41:36 -0400
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: Carb7008@cs.com, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]French Crank Ranking


Jack Romans poses a difficult challenge, when he writes:

I realize that different models and/or permutations make a world of difference, but in spite of this and in general, can one place a desirability (subjective) or value (objective) ranking of relatively common models of french cranks such as Stronglight, T-A, and Nervar? As you may guess from how I posed the question, I have subjectively developed such a ranking but am unsure of the results. Has anyone compiled an objective list based on ebay sale prices?" <snip> ++++++++++++++++++ I've not tracked prices, but would offer a few random suggestions based on 40 years of using and ogling them.

1) It depends on what vintage is appropriate for a particular bike. For example, one of my favorites is the Stronglight 63, which has the graceful arm profile of the 49d, but the 10 mm bolts and circle of the 93. But, the '63 (or its predecessor with 8 mm bolts, the 57) is inappropriate for bikes of the 70s or later -- and pretty scarce, anyhow.

2) It depends on bike type. The 5-pin TA Cyclotourist and equivalent Stronglight 49d (and there was a Nervar equivalent, too, really ugly in my view) are great for touring, and even can use gracefully shaped steel single chainrings (track, etc). But for road use, it is so much easier to use 5-arm units like the Stronglight 93.

So, given all that hemming and hawing, I'll give you my own preferences, limiting it to "relatively common" units. Among both road and touring arms, I least like Nervar. The redeeming social grace is the use of Campy-treaded removers. However, the curse of the unique 128 mm BCD on the 5-arm cannot be overcome in a rational world. Also, I just find them vulgar to look at. The French version of low-end 1970s Japanese "Maxi" cranks?

Personally, I'm happier to credit the innumerable TA variants (including the "semi-cottered") with creativity than rationality. I have not been happy with TA cyclotourist rings, which do warp backwards under load, and seem to have short lives. The 3-arm to 6-bolt "Criterium" stuff could have been designed by Rube Goldberg, but apparently works well.

So, by default, I belong to the Church of Stronglight. 93 for general duty (38 tooth available), except where the 63 can be found and justified. 99s for touring (86 mm BCD). Thanks to Mike Self, I now understand that the earlier ones are prettier, because the web width matches the chainwheel's matching surface, but the later ones use "standard" removers, which is nice in case of an emergency if touring.

So, send me your tired 99s - I need a set for my early 70s Hetchins! Would trade TA or Stronglight 49d.

harvey sachs
mcLean va