Lightweight vintage triple cranksets
#26
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I've got an Avocet triple crankset that from the thinness of the crank arms is probably pretty light. I'm missing the unobtainium inner bolts and spacers, and theoretically, it needs an IOS triple leangth bottom bracket. I've seen them go on Ebay for under a $100. I'm not an expert on old Campagnolo stuff, but I believe that some of the older double cranks where converted into triples by drilling bolt holes for the inner ring into the crank spider.
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FWIW, Stronglight made drillium 86mm BCD rings for the mod. 99 and 100 cranks; here mounted on a Sakae Ringyo Apex:
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Here is something else to consider/look for. Some of these cranks came with smaller diameter holes/bolts for the third ring. The smaller bolts can be hard to find. Both the Sakae CR and Takagi Tourney AD pictured here have the small holes. (I don't know why the pic loaded upside down)
Last edited by seypat; 07-27-21 at 06:47 AM.
#29
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#30
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It seems that nobody has mentioned the 110/74 Ritchey Logic cranks. Reputed to be very light and well-engineered (no tendency to crack). I have two pair of 180's that I'd love to trade for 175's.
Scott Peterson
Newport, OR
Scott Peterson
Newport, OR
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Another possible option is the Red Clover Components triplizer ring (forum member @jonwvara):
https://www.redclovercomponents.com/
https://www.redclovercomponents.com/
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#32
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Thank you all SO MUCH for all this info!! Love it. You given me tons of great options to ponder. I really appreciate it!
#33
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FWIW, since I’m certainly not a weight weenie, I weighed these three 110/74 cranks, all weighed as just the arms (length as noted), no rings or BB
Sugino AT, 170 arms: 480gm. BTW, I suspect 175’s would weigh the same, the pedal hole would just be 5mm farther out
Ritchey Logic (early 90’s version, made by Sugino) with “hidden fifth arm”, 175 arms: 475gm
Specialized “flag”, 170 arms: 465gm
If one is counting grams, the AT takes the longest BB at 127.5. Lots of steel there.
Might not be considered sufficiently “vintage” - wife’s custom ‘96 Erickson had a very light and pretty set with “”ball-shaped” ends at both the pedal and spindle, but the brand name escapes me. DS crank was swaged to the spider, which was a weak point, but never a problem for her. Also, the pedal threads were blind, so some pedals couldn’t be used. Photo below:
Sugino AT, 170 arms: 480gm. BTW, I suspect 175’s would weigh the same, the pedal hole would just be 5mm farther out
Ritchey Logic (early 90’s version, made by Sugino) with “hidden fifth arm”, 175 arms: 475gm
Specialized “flag”, 170 arms: 465gm
If one is counting grams, the AT takes the longest BB at 127.5. Lots of steel there.
Might not be considered sufficiently “vintage” - wife’s custom ‘96 Erickson had a very light and pretty set with “”ball-shaped” ends at both the pedal and spindle, but the brand name escapes me. DS crank was swaged to the spider, which was a weak point, but never a problem for her. Also, the pedal threads were blind, so some pedals couldn’t be used. Photo below:
I have a Sugino AT crank arm set I could use, nice to know there isn't THAT much of a difference weight wise between those, the Ritchey logic ones, and the Flag crank. I had a very, very nice Flag Crank with BB that I just sold on eBay and I was starting to feel some sellers remorse but this helped a lot haha. Wish I could keep it all, that crank definitely would have stayed in the stash
#34
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I like the Shimano 600 triple that has been suggested. Hadn't seen one before. Very attractive crank.
As a Centurion owner I appreciate a nice Centurion- gorgeous bike!
#35
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I had to have a black crank for the latest build. This one is part of the Suntour X1 MTB group. It was made by Sakae or Sugino, though. I did some weight weenieing before I got it. It beat out some of the other black cranks, including some Shimanos. All of the ID marks on the components have been blacked out with a Sharpie.
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The cranks are 170mm, but the same forging is used for 175mm, and maybe(??) for 165mm.
Steve in Peoria
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Nothing stopping you from getting a "compact" or "semi compact" double. The small chainring gets you just about as low as a triple without tracking down a wide BB, and looks much more elegant. It's also totally compatible with some rear sprockets well into the 30's with a medium cage.
I just got this from Ben's Cycle and it's well made.
ETA- They have a sweet Sugino triple for 2 bills that looks "vintage" for the most part.
Last edited by Erzulis Boat; 07-27-21 at 06:49 PM.
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Nothing stopping you from getting a "compact" or "semi compact" double. The small chainring gets you just about as low as a triple without tracking down a wide BB, and looks much more elegant. It's also totally compatible with some rear sprockets well into the 30's with a medium cage.
I just got this from Ben's Cycle and it's well made.
ETA- They have a sweet Sugino triple for 2 bills that looks "vintage" for the most part.
#39
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Another possible option is the Red Clover Components triplizer ring (forum member @jonwvara):
https://www.redclovercomponents.com/
https://www.redclovercomponents.com/
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@JohnDJohnson - What an interesting mix of parts!
Did you swap the long cage on the RD?
Were you able to use the SL spindle?
Did you swap the long cage on the RD?
Were you able to use the SL spindle?
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Among vintage aluminum square-taper triple cranks, it's hard to think of one that would be lighter than the Rene Herse design. But after RH started making whole bikes, I don't know how many of his cranks were made for the aftermarket, so perhaps that doesn't count for this thread.
(Picture snarfed from https://saarf.london/2014/12/24/rene...ur-circa-1973/ )
(Picture snarfed from https://saarf.london/2014/12/24/rene...ur-circa-1973/ )
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A suggestion for several of these vintage cranks such as the Sugino AT and “Flag” cranks: Do a bit of stress relief filing and polishing where the DS arm meets the spider, as well as frequent inspections. That spot is known to develop tiny cracks that can lead to disastrous failure. Here’s what I did to the Flag cranks posted above:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
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@JohnDJohnson - What an interesting mix of parts!
Did you swap the long cage on the RD?
Were you able to use the SL spindle?
Did you swap the long cage on the RD?
Were you able to use the SL spindle?
#45
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For a 90’s triple crank with 110-74 I would think an XTR M900 would be pretty light. Couple it to a titanium BB and your in business.
I’d guess the M950 with the spider system might be lighter, but I’m not a pure C&Ver and even I have a tough time looking at it, especially after a few years of riding.
John
I’d guess the M950 with the spider system might be lighter, but I’m not a pure C&Ver and even I have a tough time looking at it, especially after a few years of riding.
John
I don't know how much they weigh. Considering the size of my post-COVID belly... I don't care.
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I have a M900 XTR crank on my Green Superior. These are hard to find, even in OK shape, but I managed to score a NOS set with 172.5mm arms. (I have nice friends.)
I don't know how much they weigh. Considering the size of my post-COVID belly... I don't care.
I don't know how much they weigh. Considering the size of my post-COVID belly... I don't care.
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Here is something else to consider/look for. Some of these cranks came with smaller diameter holes/bolts for the third ring. The smaller bolts can be hard to find. Both the Sakae CR and Takagi Tourney AD pictured here have the small holes. (I don't know why the pic loaded upside down)
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I just weighed a pair of triples, both with rings and ring-bolts but nothing else:
Stronglight 99 28-40-52 668g
Nervar Star 38-47-54 733g
I suspect most of the difference is the Nervar having bigger rings in each position.
Stronglight 99 28-40-52 668g
Nervar Star 38-47-54 733g
I suspect most of the difference is the Nervar having bigger rings in each position.
#50
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I bought all the lightest components I could, and was happy with TA cranks. I had about 45,000 miles on them when I challenged a friend in a car to a stoplight grand prix, expecting to get across the intersection first. Instead, I gave it a well-timed jump, and found myself standing on the pavement, wearing a pedal. Fatigue got my original handlebars, too.