mwandaw

My wife and I bought a 1999 Cannondale RT1000 about six months ago. We have it working pretty well for us, but I don't like the standard 170mm captain's cranks. I am used to 172.5 or 175mm cranks, and the RT's 170mm cranks make me feel like I'm riding a little kid's bike.

I believe the bottom bracket is a "square taper" type. Here's a picture. (It's not our bike, but just like it).



I haven't found any Shimano "square taper" captain's cranks online. The new Shimano and FSA cranks seem to use a different bottom bracket. Sugino cranks seem to be readily available through Amazon and eBay. I have also checked on da Vinci cranks.

<> How do the Sugino cranks compare to the da Vinci cranks?

<> Are there any other options?

The captain's timing chain ring and bottom bracket are just fine, so I am just looking for cranks.

Thanks!

ksisler

OP; Since you have a c'Dale, recommend looking on their site for spindle specifics of what it was shipped with or call them... But don't assume it hasn't been changed out for some other brand (sound familar?). Also, the required spindle lenght is more confined by the crankset more than the bike.

On the side; Several sets of cranks and complete cranksets were on ebay for the last 2 weeks or so. Some cheap, some scary spenduful. A few were tandem specific listings. You may need to get each side separately as they are sometimes listed that way. It may be cheaper to buy a complete crankset than just the cranks themselves. Just search on Shimano +tandem +crank and dig around from there. As long as both your front cranks match the bottom bracket type that fits your frame then there is no shame to having square taper on the rear and octalink or isis on the front (no one will care or notice).

To your question; I can't tell if it is square taper or something else. If you remove the mounting bolt cover or take the picture from the back side of the crank... we could see one way or the other.

Basically a tandem's front spindle length is dependent on the NDS spindle length that just happens to have been installed on the rear. No real science to it from my experience.

If you need new BB's; Once you have confirmed yours is square taper, then get on ebay and search on this string; Shimano +square +bottom. Real Shimano ones were running about $6-12 each, but look for those with the NDS cup in metal instead of in plastic. Given how cheap they are; I would suggest just getting a 118mm and see if its too long or too short. They run from about 110mm through 129mm or so. ebay price is about the same regardless of length. Haven't seen any marked as tandem specific, but once you have it all sorted, you would want to buy a full spare anyway incase it wears out or breaks 5-10 from now..

DubT

I have a set of 175 mm long FSA Gossamer cranks that only have a few miles on them and would sell them for $100 plus shipping. Shortly after I bought them I got a good deal on a new set of Shimano cranks and have the old cranks in a box. The package contains the complete assembly, bottom bracket cups etc. Pictures available upon request.

Wayne
wthais@mchsi.com

WheelsNT

We have a Cannondale about that same vintage with what look to be those same cranks. They are square taper. They're basically the same as the 105 cranks from that vintage, just with the pedal holes threaded for tandem use.

tandem rider

There is a Truvativ Elita Tandem crankset in 175 captain and 170 stoker on tandemmag classified.

hup

I have a set of Sugino Fuse 500 cranks, square taper, 175mm that I'm not using. I actually went from these to 170mm ... I'm somewhat vertically challenged. I would be happy to send you pics if you want.

Henry

dwmckee

If anyone is interested, I have a new set of Specialites TA Captain cranks in 170 mm. They are beautiful, extremely well made and very light. Never installed... Sorry they are not longer...

Philly Tandem

I have a few pairs of brand-new (NOS) Shimano Deore DX MT-60 captain's cranks available. They are 175mm, properly drilled for tandem use (pedals), take square-taper BBs, and include a new 38t Shimano timing ring (110 bcd). I'll sell for $25 a set, shipping additional. These are really nice, high-quality forged cranks. PM me here or e-mail brian (at) brianwasson (dot) com.