Crank arm dust caps- favorite source?
 

I'm probably getting too finicky in my creeping senilitude (is that a word?) but I like to replace the 8mm Allen screws that retain newer square-taper cranks with older-style 14mm bolts. That also means I should have dust caps to hide the bolts.

Does anyone have a favorite source for crank arm dust caps? I alternate between liking those with 2 holes for removal (like Dura-Ace 7400) and those with a hole for a 5mm Allen fitting.


I.E.:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4b11ae6236.jpg
vs,
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...063ead00ed.jpg

Funny, I just recently aquired 2 sets of the 5 mm allen wrench ones. One set came with my current bike, with early Shimano triple cranks, and the others came with a Sakae FX triple crank, on a parts bike. They’re both much sturdier than the aluminum foil type, that don’t survive removal very well. 😁😉

Favorite source? The little drawer right next to my work bench. Lots of them in there. Let me know what you need and I will look. I have metal and, of course, plastic.

Personally, I'm a fan of the "Sugino Slot." Cheap and plentiful all over the internet in several colors. And there's just something endearing about a dustcap you can unscrew with your thumbnail.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e8067da723.png

Or a dime.

I like the old Shimano 5mm allen caps. They were nicely chromed and unmarked, so they work with anything. Top left in the picture:

Self extracting crank dust cap
 

I like these and they fit my Campag Record cranks. Price on the box is a year old.
Not original, but not the price of the originals either!
They look OK unbranded.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...520e82350b.jpg

Alright then, if everyone’s gonna post pics, here are the Sakaes. 😎
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cf2a99c47.jpeg

...yes, I suspect so. I have gone in exactly the opposite direction, and I'm not looking back. Something might be gaining on me.

Depends on the bike and crank. I always leave 'em off without the right cap. They don't suffer for it, and usually look a little more badass.

I like Bespokechainrings on ebay, he has Stronglight, TA, and standard dust caps: https://www.ebay.com/usr/bespokechai...p2047675.l2559 Sometimes eBay goofs up the shipping price on him, so if it seems high be sure to ask.

Pretty nice but they're as pricey as NOS Dura-Ace!

If it weren't for the Corona virus I'd be visiting the local bike co-ops and fishing through the boxes of used parts. I miss doing that.

I always remove good condition Dust caps and put the Allen Head crank bolts on bikes I flip and now have them when I build a bike for myself. The Shop I work at had a bunch of Nos caps that I also raided, Got Sugino caps in red, black and gray.

Glenn

I don't like em. I don't use em. they let water in and don't let it out
saw too many bikes come in my shop for repair with crank bolts
rusted in place.

I also have a small stash of them that I run across every couple years. I always put them in a safe place, and then don't see them again for a good long while.

Dust caps are one of those things- you don't notice them until you're looking for them. I like the plain ones unless you have the ones that pretty clearly match- but I think it's funny when you see dust caps that came with crank sets- that don't appear to have come with crank sets. Like the black Suginos...

I like these, from that woman in Poland. Sorry pics not that great, bad lighting in my basement.
Tim


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d8b0cb57.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e265ee4a.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ffd1e080.jpeg

I like these brass self-extracting bolt caps from BlueLug Japan. Though you need to order the self-extracting bolts seperately.
*BL SELECT* brass crank cap - BlueLug.com

http://i.imgur.com/r7gtHT0h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hpFbstmh.jpg

Mismatch but still Stronglight. Recently obtained the right ones, 38 years later, from generous Duke7777 .
https://live.staticflickr.com/7401/1...b4a99fbb_c.jpgLC_Crank, on Flickr

perfect!! thank you!

Two-hole Shimano style. eBay.

Depending on the bike, I usually replace them with these.




https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ccdfff8a4.jpeg

In the 80's, my brother and I threw out a lot of crank dust caps as part of gram strategy for our bikes that we continuously modded up. I remember having a box full stuff removed from our bikes when we got them, like wheel, frame and pedal reflectors, Chainring protectors,, dork disks, cheap OEM saddles, turkey leg brake levers, even tire valve caps and...... crsnkset bolt dust covers.......
I wonder what happened to that box? I think my older brother might have thrown it out already as I think I left it in his attic in WI when I moved to CA in 1990.....:(

TA hex ones are rubbish, the metal is only a bit stronger than cheese and if they get stuck (which they do) they are a right b. to get out without damage.