Only a contemperaneous report of a rider clearly stating that the reason for sticking with steel cottered cranks was the pedals being closer together would convince me that Jan Heine is not pedalling furiously up a blind alley. Did not Stronglight make a steel cotterless set (the 49A) used by top men in the early fifties? Presumably that would have the same Q factor as the alloy version so there must be another explanation. I don't think the pros thought alloy cranks would snap on one mountain stage but I don't think they would trust them for a whole season. I guess it was the same mentality as saving your best tubs for a special race. And dont forget just how cheap the old Directeur Sportivs were. Antonin Magne bought jerseys without zips just to save a few old francs (check those pictures of Poulidor). Not the kind of guy who would be keen on equipment that might not last a season (or two). Even today when Q factor is on the agenda it is mainly an aerodynamic issue eg Graham Obree and his famous washing machine bearing bottom bracket. If the old pros cared a stuff about drag they would have sewn up their front pockets! Ray Green, Harrow, Middlesex