[CR] Quality in steel cranks...was RRA crankset..

(Example: History)

Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:30:05 -0500
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
To: <CoteVT@gmail.com>, <kohl57@yahoo.com>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Quality in steel cranks...was RRA crankset..


Thanks, Peter Kohler, for pointing out Alan Cote's error, that his cranks for sale (eBay 180454670191) are lower line Lenton rather than Raleigh Record Ace, and for the reference to your pictures of the actual RRA cranks http://tinyurl.com/yadkonb).

Given Alan's notes on the history of the item, I'm sure it was inadvertent. Still, for those grounded in cotterless aluminum who wonder how us old guys find some of the legacy steel so attractive, it's worthwhile to look at both pairs of cranks. I call out two differences: The first is construction. The real RRA is a forging, as used also by Magistroni, Stronglight, and others for their top-line units. Note the smooth fillet where spider joins arm. The Lenton attaches a stamped spider with a forged (or cast) crank with a splined fitting, a much less expensive manufacturing operation. The other difference is aesthetics. The RRA just plain has grace of form. slender everywhere, honoring the strength of the material and manufacturing process. The Lenton just plain looks cruder with its large circle of sheet metal surrounding the spline fitting.

One of my favorite steel cranks is the late cotterless Campagnolo 3-arm, although I think the RRA is even prettier. Personally, I think I prefer the Paramount to the RRA. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but construction methods are objective.

harvey sachs
mcLean VA