tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post148789606614966689..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Thoughts on Fixed Gear Cranksets?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90563226761155541502011-10-02T23:12:47.959-04:002011-10-02T23:12:47.959-04:00Update: I got a good deal on a current production ...Update: I got a good deal on a current production Campagnolo track crankset, so that is what the bike is now fitted with. The only downside is that it's got a 49t chainring, so I am now waiting for a 44t replacement, which had to be special ordered. Works nicely though and looks all right : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67573623283246735722011-09-24T11:06:48.939-04:002011-09-24T11:06:48.939-04:00My best crankset to look classic is Grand Cru 50.4...My best crankset to look classic is Grand Cru 50.4bcd Crankset.<br />It's very simple style and can be used as a single speed.<br />The BB width would be around 122, it depends on your frame.Kengohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04745725657326316648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73902788334725399042011-09-23T07:07:40.432-04:002011-09-23T07:07:40.432-04:00aye, I know what you mean. it took me a bit to get...aye, I know what you mean. it took me a bit to get my last one together. Hilary seems to have full ones sometimes though, so perhaps keep a weather eye on his site and get something inexpensive in the meantime? Oh, I also bought a set of arms from him once and asked him if he had a ring, bolts and spacers that he'd sell me too, and he did - that time I got it all at once for a very reasonable price. Might be worth asking him (but only if you really fancy the 49d I suppose).<br /><br />ever block out the colt? not planning to put that on the fixed are you?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00199102554542917810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91544286291235339182011-09-23T06:39:22.139-04:002011-09-23T06:39:22.139-04:00My crankset of choice for my current single-speed ...My crankset of choice for my current single-speed build is the Condor cycles 'Legacy' chainset; a worthy classic Campagnolo Pista copy. <br /><br />http://www.condorcycles.com/Components/9734-Condor-Legacy-Chainset/flypage.tpl.htmlGrantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66098544078155242332011-09-23T02:52:39.254-04:002011-09-23T02:52:39.254-04:00You might like the Sugino Mighty Comp. It has cla...You might like the Sugino Mighty Comp. It has classic looks, is a true single/track crankset and is available in a number of lengths, in silver or black. Best of all, it has the 130 Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD). This means that you can use road chainrings on it, and that a variety of chainring sizes are available from a number of manufacturers.<br /><br />It's the crank I have on Tosca, my Mercian fixed-gear bike. You can read more about the crank here: http://www.alexscycle.com/cranks/fixed-non-njs-1-2-3-4-5-6/sugino-mighty-comp.htmlJustine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6928327742810847052011-09-22T23:50:17.376-04:002011-09-22T23:50:17.376-04:00Go with whatever satisfies your aesthetic sensibil...Go with whatever satisfies your aesthetic sensibilities and hang the cost. There are so few components on a fixed gear that unless you really have a limited amount of money or you plan on using it in a way that results in the bike being banged around a lot and/or put at a high risk for theft you might as well equip it with the good stuff. <br /><br />I used a new Campagnolo Record Track crankset, ring and bottom bracket when, two years ago, I finally built up the track frame I bought back in '96. I liked the way it looked and so far I've had no problems whatsoever with it.nowherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125582590094636085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78531509603509046622011-09-22T23:08:44.771-04:002011-09-22T23:08:44.771-04:00Well, I've been through two Moto Grand Touring...Well, I've been through two Moto Grand Tourings w/ Stronglight under $100 in the past year, those have found homes. Presently I've a 23" Grand Jubilee available, it's a little more. Not that much more. They are so available around here it does not seem worth it to ship. Anyone really interested in a '73 G.Jub all original except rubber(including snapped band front changer), fair paint, all graphics there, crazed and lightly peppered chrome (really little rust on this thing but no show bike), near-new 80 saddle, sharp points on the 52 but trivial wear on 38, second set wheels very clean Shimano/Union db/Super Champ Gentleman/English thread FW send an email to wilsontaxiatyahoodotcom.<br /><br />If the second wheels were 700 and not 27", as US Motos were sold, the rims alone would be worth more than I want for the whole thing. I can only guess Motos weren't much sold in Boston. Not Gitanes or Peugeots either? My bike is presently stored in Madison, can deliver free near Chicago. Shipping to Boston would seem silly but I will. <br /><br />When you look at NOS/NIB prices from established vendors that's another world. Among friends or at swap meets a pair of 49 arms should be $20. With new or very good ring and hardware a little more. If the arms are scarred past polishing they should be $5 or free. This stuff is not scarce. And realistically used arms are liable to breakage so they should be cheap. You're taking a chance so why should you pay?<br /><br />Check Harris and menotomy and any other recycling points for old out of fashion steel cranks. BSA, Magistroni, Duprat, Williams. They are often free. All those cranks were raced and are race-worthy. The extra weight is trivial. Bracket bearings cheap or free, always available.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25371112476540178432011-09-22T21:53:43.238-04:002011-09-22T21:53:43.238-04:00Wow. I have never seen a $100 Motobecane with Stro...Wow. I have never seen a $100 Motobecane with Stronglight cranks on it. Take me to them!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64735480211855607612011-09-22T21:49:12.286-04:002011-09-22T21:49:12.286-04:00Steel cranks. Six and three quarters inches. Lots ...Steel cranks. Six and three quarters inches. Lots and lots to choose from. Pick one w/ good chrome and a ring that fits the style of the mystery bike.<br /><br />In aluminum the Stronglight 49D. Maybe expensive if you need NIB. I still see old Motobecanes for sale all the time w/ Stronglight for under 100. The bike not the cranks. Often seems a shame to break them up but they are there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41197781562788330032011-09-22T21:34:47.084-04:002011-09-22T21:34:47.084-04:00"Nothing bad will happen and almost no one wi..."Nothing bad will happen and almost no one will notice."<br /><br />Sage words. That's why you get to be El Presidente.Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543158648103470697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72383684865720792942011-09-22T21:16:27.434-04:002011-09-22T21:16:27.434-04:00I have built several fixed gears with AL7-CNC 1/8&...I have built several fixed gears with AL7-CNC 1/8" 144 BCD cranks I got from benscycle.com. I like 144 because the larger BCD is less likely to have chainring bolts come loose: probably some science there, but this perennial fixie problem has never occurred on bikes with these cranks. Nice looking, and I believe they were very reasonably priced.Fixedgodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027930335644300820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20231553618525480312011-09-22T20:32:01.376-04:002011-09-22T20:32:01.376-04:00I have been using Sugino RD2 cranks from Velo Oran...I have been using Sugino RD2 cranks from Velo Orange although now they sell their own. I have a pretty nice nuovo record crank and some old Avocets I really like, but they are 144 bcd. The advantage to a smaller BSD is the inside spider on 144s can strike the chainstays, 130 work well for me. I like 170s because I delusively think they give a little extra leverage in the wind and up the Wyoming hills where I live. What matters to me is getting a nice chainline very close to 42 mm. A 103 BB and the RD2 usually work very well. Less friction and chain stress and unlikely to pop the chain. Just encountered this blog a few weeks ago and must say what a treat to read a well written blog and comments that are polite and well reasoned, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85033764148741727572011-09-22T20:00:30.396-04:002011-09-22T20:00:30.396-04:00It's totally fine to run a 1/8" chain on ...It's totally fine to run a 1/8" chain on a 3/32" crank. Nothing bad will happen and almost no one will notice.El Presidente de Chinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09451059216906022450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57697484755696172432011-09-22T16:04:40.375-04:002011-09-22T16:04:40.375-04:00The thicker 1/8 is less likely to flex and pop off...The thicker 1/8 is less likely to flex and pop off of a chainring mid-ride but you don't need to run a 1/8 ring to take advantage of that. Find a crank that appeals to you and just run one ring. There's no compelling reason to run a track/ss crank unless the one you like most just happens to be one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21641350119234997382011-09-22T15:19:42.395-04:002011-09-22T15:19:42.395-04:00Check out www.businesscycles.com (in Miami) for st...Check out www.businesscycles.com (in Miami) for stunning photos of track equipment. They have the Miche cranks in their photo catalogue, but no price is listed; out of stock? I do see them once in awhile in the local shops, so I assume somebody's bringing them in.<br /><br />Four hundred and ten dollars for Campagnolo Pista cranks...I'm glad I was already sitting down when I came across that!Alcyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06993507853744633357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59387859860981319082011-09-22T14:57:26.490-04:002011-09-22T14:57:26.490-04:00Have you looked on campyoldy.co.uk?Have you looked on campyoldy.co.uk?Tim Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03277034044977018254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58178374044139837582011-09-22T14:56:22.868-04:002011-09-22T14:56:22.868-04:00Go to your LBS, the one where they let you root ar...Go to your LBS, the one where they let you root around under the counters and the back rooms.<br />You'll find a nice old crank, ask him where to find the nifty old crankset and a chain ring.<br />Once you have the cool old chain ring, then buy a cog. Fixed gears are great for helping your LBS get rid of old inventory. Scott G>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58204013643433344872011-09-22T14:48:58.899-04:002011-09-22T14:48:58.899-04:00Wow, does everyone really not feel the difference ...Wow, does everyone really not feel the difference between 165mm and 170mm cranks? I'm short, so I prefer 165mm cranks, and if I try something longer I INSTANTLY feel the difference. It's not necessarily bad, but it feels totally different.<br /><br />I've always thought this Soma Hellyer crankset was really pretty, and from what I've read about it seems solid: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/hellyer-track-crankset. Only $165, too.<br /><br />Are you opposed to just getting new crank arms for your RD2 chainring? I have only one bike and it's a fixed gear with a super budget crankset (Pake cranks, which do the job), so everything sounds like an upgrade to me lol. I'd love to get the Sugino 75, and have been thinking about those Soma Hellyers for a while now, but who knows, maybe I wouldn't even feel a difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40293130297054516442011-09-22T13:41:05.795-04:002011-09-22T13:41:05.795-04:00I was in a similar situation and I just stuck an O...I was in a similar situation and I just stuck an Origin 8 on it. Voila.Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543158648103470697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9857935567448811122011-09-22T13:04:51.290-04:002011-09-22T13:04:51.290-04:00Check out Eighth Inch http://www.eighthinch.com/cr...Check out Eighth Inch http://www.eighthinch.com/cranks.html<br /><br />I have some of these cranks on a few of my bikes. They are not high end but are very nice I think.<br /><br />Also, this issue of Bicycle Times has an article - French Bred - about a build-up that used VO's Polyvalent crank sans the inner chainring.Velodoghttp://thefoxnote.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3151557779387885922011-09-22T12:59:09.358-04:002011-09-22T12:59:09.358-04:00I think that IRD crankset looks nice.
Does anyone...I think that IRD crankset looks nice.<br /><br />Does anyone know if it's 1/8" or 3/32?MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5415479142355903882011-09-22T12:51:41.652-04:002011-09-22T12:51:41.652-04:00Don't rush, take your time and find the crank ...Don't rush, take your time and find the crank you really want. It could <br />be a vintage Campy BMX or wait for the new steel Riv crank. Whatever <br />it is, you will know when you see it.<br />1/8" is not critical for strength. It is important for durability and if you<br />choose quality it can be smooooth. A bushing chain (Izumi V or KMC <br />D101) matched with any level of EAI cog can make a drive train that is <br />as silent as a belt drive.<br />Any crank can have any chainring you want. there are several custom<br />chainring manufacturers. CycleUnderground made me a 1/8" ring for<br />my long obsolete steel, Campy, 3 bolt road crank. ~$70.Calvinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15217104352426495652011-09-22T12:49:57.327-04:002011-09-22T12:49:57.327-04:00bepoq - That's the thing with those, and other...bepoq - That's the thing with those, and others in their category. You'e got to buy everything separately and it takes months and costs $$$. If someone were to offer me a complete crankset, I might go for it, but I am just not ready to go on a scavenger hunt.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4179696579288759382011-09-22T12:47:08.294-04:002011-09-22T12:47:08.294-04:00It's your money and your crank length preferen...It's your money and your crank length preference.<br />It's not like gossamer-thin 11sp chains are fragile. That's like saying one needs a set of double toe straps cinched tight on a Sunday road ride. <br />Seriously, you aren't cranking out a 2000 watt sprint.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20038275283560011492011-09-22T12:45:21.832-04:002011-09-22T12:45:21.832-04:00could I put in a vote for a Stronglight 49d? Old s...could I put in a vote for a Stronglight 49d? Old school and I think they're fantastic looking. Not cheap, but not nearly the price of the older campag, and have the advantage of polishing up without worrying about anodising. Hilary only has a NOS pair of arms on his site at the moment, so they're expensive and then you've got to fight for the rings, but he obviously gets them fairly regularly as he's a bunch of pictures of them in various states and sizes that have been sold.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00199102554542917810noreply@blogger.com