RE: [CR]Predicting Campy Crank failure

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

From: "Mark Bulgier" <mark@bulgier.net>
To: 'Ben Sanford' <B.Sanford@cox.net>, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Predicting Campy Crank failure
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 21:25:46 -0700

Ben Sanford wrote:
> Mine that broke was an undated track crank just marked
> "165 PISTA" with the 144mm bolt circle.

That would be a late model, right? I don't remember when they went to 144 for track but it was quite a few years after road went to 144. the Campy Timeline on Velo-Retro is silent on the matter unless I read it too quickly.
> The crank broke at the eye where the pedal mounted.

That's the most common location for a break, as opposed to a crack. The spider cracks are quite common but rarely result in a rider down.
> I had previously retired a 175mm SR road crank due
> to a crack at the spider.

Are you sure that right with the spider crack is too bad to be filed? Do you know what I mean, filing with a chainsaw file or needle file to the full depth of the crack or a little beyond? This has saved many a cracked Campy crank, and I've never heard of one breaking there after having been filed.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA