A little TA info
 

I've been doing some hunting for a TA crank extractor today and learned some neat stuff I'd like to share.

First off: Mel Pinto Imports - http://www.melpintoimports.com/ he carries the full current line of VAR tools including the double sided VAR TA/Standard crank extractor.

Second: Rene Herse Bicycles....the owner, Mike is really an awesome guy. Eager to help, like to talk bike stuff...a good place to call and order from if you have questions. Also if you don't see something you need on their website just call. They're very helpful.

Third: In talking to Mike he mentioned that TA is gearing up right now as we speak to do a fresh run of Cyclotouriste cranksets. They will be very close in appearance to the Anniversary Cyclotouriste cranksets they produced a few years ago. Prices will likely be insane.

Fourth: The New run of TA Cyclotouriste cranks has been slightly tweaked to give more space between the outer chainring and the inside of the crankarm. The new cranks will also have more space between the chainring and crankarm than the Velo Orange copy of the same. According to Mike, Velo Orange increased that clearance when they made their knock-off and TA has further increased that clearance with the new run of cranks.


Just some stuff I found interesting.

Nice info man. I need to stop past my friends machine shop and show him the puller I have and tell him to make me one. I'd let you borrow the one I have but it's not mine.

no worries, I think I might pick one up....northern New Jerseyans take note ;) :lol:

Wow!

Mel Pinto was recently purchased. They're trying to bring it back up to speed. Let us know if this comes true.

I didn't know TA is still around. Very cool.

actually, TA has been going continuously. They make a couple of modern cranksets and some other things.

Another thing Mike from Rene Herse mentioned was that TA has a less than stellar Quality Control dept. and that overall the Velo Orange knockoff crankset quality is probably better.

Its kinda cool talking to someone who knows that french stuff pretty well. Similar to talking to Citroyen duMonde, you get all these great french pronunciations peppered into the conversation

In any other forum, that title would have been a LOT more interesting :)