tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post6051932031848516992..comments2024-03-18T10:19:55.782-04:00Comments on The Velo ORANGE Blog: Sugino's BestVelo Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-55135228502876160822020-08-11T01:57:45.223-04:002020-08-11T01:57:45.223-04:0012 years late on this and desperately looking for ...12 years late on this and desperately looking for a set of these!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-37858363795161088652009-07-25T02:23:24.443-04:002009-07-25T02:23:24.443-04:00i'm a little late to the conversation, but i j...i'm a little late to the conversation, but i just bought this beautiful crank set from velo orange and i'm not clear on how hard to tighten it. it would be great if you could post the recommended torque.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01769208854337019675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-53819410506673930522008-08-05T22:49:00.000-04:002008-08-05T22:49:00.000-04:00I, too, can definitely tell the difference between...I, too, can definitely tell the difference between a 172.5mm and a 170mm crank. I had 170's on a spare bike...I liked the bike, but almost never rode it becuase I had put a set of 170's that I got cheap. The pedaling circle was noticeably different. Found some 172.5's and the bike was far more rideable.<BR/><BR/>The best analogy that I can think of is this. You can walk all day long with a stride that differs very little. Now, tie your shoelaces together so that they restrict your stride by 5mm, and I'd be willing to bet that you'd spend the entire day tripping all over yourself.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I understand the economics of scale and importing a specialty item like this, but I've got to believe that you would sell many more 172.5's than 165's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-3727748127651719352008-07-31T03:41:00.000-04:002008-07-31T03:41:00.000-04:00Having experimented with a number of different cra...Having experimented with a number of different crank sizes, I've come to the conclusion that 5mm increments are very noticeable. I've settled on 160mm for rando riding and commuting and 155mm for touring (the shorter cranks make me gear down and spin - protects the knees during long days with big hills and a load).<BR/><BR/>So far, Sugino XD, Pro 5 Vis and Zephyrs are the only ones I've found in those lengths. And you don't get much competition on ebay for 160mm Pro 5 vis...Andrew Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08917065225850153006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-28206034442095295492008-07-30T21:56:00.000-04:002008-07-30T21:56:00.000-04:00"Why no 172.5? Because no can tell if a crank is 2..."Why no 172.5? Because no can tell if a crank is 2.5mm longer or shorter than the length they prefer. Try it in a blind test."<BR/><BR/>I can. Does it make a difference? - probably not. But I certainly can tell.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great looking crank.<BR/>Unfortunately the very high Q (for a road crank) will hurt it. I would buy one if the Q is 145 or less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-32403698233620748682008-07-29T11:45:00.000-04:002008-07-29T11:45:00.000-04:00Why no 172.5? Because no can tell if a crank is 2....Why no 172.5? Because no can tell if a crank is 2.5mm longer or shorter than the length they prefer. Try it in a blind test.<BR/><BR/>One of the things I have to decide is where to apply VO's resources. Do we buy a case of 150mm, or 172.5mm cranks that only a few people want, or do we apply that capital to getting a new 50mm bcd crank made? <BR/><BR/>Also, when buying components from a factory we can't just buy a few cranks. The high minimum orders sometimes require that we choose only the most popular sizes. That's why most shops buy from distributors such as QPB or J&B who will sell them just one or two cranks in each size. But those distributors don't import a lot of the components we sell.Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-37188885854785618292008-07-28T21:56:00.000-04:002008-07-28T21:56:00.000-04:00Another "Why no 172.5?"Seriously. Why no 172.5?Another "Why no 172.5?"<BR/><BR/>Seriously. Why no 172.5?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-69514366956032929892008-07-25T15:52:00.000-04:002008-07-25T15:52:00.000-04:00They seem splendid, but why no 172.5? It's a very...They seem splendid, but why no 172.5? It's a very popular size and you ought to carry it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-21408464883144328782008-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:00Does anyone know what the Q-factor is on the XD do...Does anyone know what the Q-factor is on the XD double crank? Not the new crank, the older one. Sugino's website is less than helpful. <BR/><BR/>http://www.velo-orange.com/suxddocr.html<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-39681144738771238312008-07-24T10:31:00.000-04:002008-07-24T10:31:00.000-04:00Sugino does make the XD in 160 and 152, and they a...Sugino does make the XD in 160 and 152, and they are very easy to get in Japan. The guy at my wife's LBS in Tsushima City said that the 152 is considered a child's size, and he recommends a 165 or maybe a 160 for most small women. We got a 160 for my wife (she's 5'2"), and she likes it, but doesn't feel much difference from a 165. But it does improve the proportions of her very small bicycle.Ian Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14721391514711042385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-78016858873458895162008-07-24T03:50:00.000-04:002008-07-24T03:50:00.000-04:00how about cranks for shorter riders and children? ...how about cranks for shorter riders and children? sugino makes some of it's cranks down to 152mm (xd i believe) and they are very hard to get a hold of in the US. might you carry a few of these in triples (with crown logos of course)?amabelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03180286588033946840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-22493904348408678352008-07-23T23:40:00.000-04:002008-07-23T23:40:00.000-04:00FYI: I got 128mm Q on my Ritchey Double with 103mm...FYI: I got 128mm Q on my Ritchey Double with 103mm Shimano BB. I was using a tape measure since I don't own calipers, so thats' maybe +/- 2mm?<BR/>I don't think I could handle 160.<BR/>I agree about getting 32/33 rings. I know you can do 33t, but is 32 even possible on a 110bcd?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-35508805250884259182008-07-23T21:03:00.000-04:002008-07-23T21:03:00.000-04:00I agree with the previous posters: the Q-factor is...I agree with the previous posters: the Q-factor is high. I had a Sugino X600, but I dumped them because I felt like I was straddling a horse. But there aren't many squared-tapered, silver compact cranks out there, so these new Suginos are probably the best of the lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-70422386309112899832008-07-23T20:18:00.000-04:002008-07-23T20:18:00.000-04:00That chainguard has me thinking that what would be...That chainguard has me thinking that what would be really cool to see is a 110/74 bcd crank setup as a wide range double using the chainguard as an outer ring, and 44/24 for the middle and inner rings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-10053326710664438932008-07-23T18:59:00.000-04:002008-07-23T18:59:00.000-04:00Nice! The VO product line is progressing at an as...Nice! The VO product line is progressing at an astonishing clip! I have to agree on the Q factor, though. My knees prefer a Q of 140 mm, which is obtainable with a number of Campy cranks and easily obtainable with my old Ritchey (made by Sugino) cranks. BTW, someone said that the Q of the Ritcheys was 130 mm on a 103 BB and somebody else said "not." The Q on my Ritcheys is 145 mm on a Campy 116 mm Veloce BB. On a Dura Ace 103, it'd be right about 130 mm +/- a couple mm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-62774640588770648002008-07-23T18:28:00.000-04:002008-07-23T18:28:00.000-04:00Nice!Nice!Karl Matthiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685261119475171963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-43908758951044671572008-07-23T16:49:00.000-04:002008-07-23T16:49:00.000-04:00BG, "The Way of the World" is, indeed, a terrific...BG, "The Way of the World" is, indeed, a terrific book, among my favorites.Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-3746912291676559572008-07-23T13:08:00.000-04:002008-07-23T13:08:00.000-04:00Can anyone point me to 50x36 rings or 50x38 or may...Can anyone point me to 50x36 rings or 50x38 or maybe even 52x38 that are (a) 9-10sp compatible (i.e. ramps, pins), and (b) not black? They don't necessarily have to be polished silver, like on VO's new Sugino, but simply any sort of silver that's decent looking. Oh, and BCD 110, such that it would be compatible with the Sugino Alpina. Thanks.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07606360749976387700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-88878904153752649112008-07-23T11:31:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:31:00.000-04:00Off-topic post:Since many posting here seem intell...Off-topic post:<BR/><BR/>Since many posting here seem intellectually curious, and because many of us can't afford travel abroad these days what with the beating our dollar takes overseas, I'd like to recommend a travel book I just finished rereading:<BR/><BR/>"L'Usage du Monde" aka<BR/>"The Way of the World" by author Nicolas Bouvier, with illustrations by his travel companion Thierry Vernet.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps just as Grant carries a few titles over in Walnut Creek, might Chris consider stocking the aforementioned title? I would have no doubt who would carry the best book a-n-d the best selection of hard-to-find bicycle parts for enthusiasts who don't follow the crowd. (~;Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-47097218558793912972008-07-23T11:03:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:03:00.000-04:00"If you asked knowledgeable cyclists what the very..."If you asked knowledgeable cyclists what the very best aluminum compact, 110bcd, crank set ever made was, I'll bet the majority would say it's the TA Zephyr."<BR/><BR/>I don't know if the majority would (because most cyclists didn't know it existed), but some would. The TA Zephyr certainly gets my vote. I had one on my old Rivendell. A piece of highly polished jewelry that doubled as a superb bike component was what it really was. <BR/><BR/>"The Sugino Alpina, or Cospea..would probably be a close second." <BR/><BR/>Agree, but again, most cyclists don't know it exists. Also, many cyclists today want the bling bling carbon black look. Yuck.<BR/><BR/>"Unfortunately the Zephyr was discontinued several years ago.."<BR/><BR/>Yes, a sad occurrence.<BR/><BR/>"..but various versions of the Sugino are still in production."<BR/><BR/>Yes, (and) my version of Alpina/Cospea cranksets each weigh in at about 540 grams complete. Not that any of us here are weight weenies (~;Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-49002038358425491912008-07-23T03:29:00.000-04:002008-07-23T03:29:00.000-04:00The Specialized cranks had a stress riser at the s...The Specialized cranks had a stress riser at the spider/crank arm jxn due to a sharp point that can propagate a crack. It can be be filed out in a couple minutes. I think this applies to the "flag" and the "S" models. Campy NR cranks had this problem too, as did the Suntour Microdrive XC Pros.<BR/><BR/>The Alpina looks nice although it might as well be drilled for a 74 BCD triple that you could leave off if not req'd. The Q is pretty high which is pretty std these days. The rings look great. <BR/><BR/>BTW the Q factor of the Ritchey is lower but not near 130mm.ChrisCullumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08645176987387516756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-58669312406103581292008-07-23T00:08:00.000-04:002008-07-23T00:08:00.000-04:00I just bought one of these last month and put TA r...I just bought one of these last month and put TA rings on it (50/33). I like it a lot. It could be prettier, but I like that it doesn't have a hidden chainring bolt. <BR/><BR/>If you were to stock polished chainrings, I would definitely pick some up.Ian Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14721391514711042385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-26519632465173874542008-07-22T22:17:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:17:00.000-04:00That Q is awfully high. You should have them remak...That Q is awfully high. You should have them remake the old Ritchey Logic model. Q of about 130 with a 103 BB.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-6444568376098248312008-07-22T20:11:00.000-04:002008-07-22T20:11:00.000-04:00"Except the Suntour models didn't crack! The Speci..."Except the Suntour models didn't crack! The Specialized crank was pretty but prone to cracking at the spider/arm junction."<BR/><BR/>Interesting - are you talking about the flag ones or the ones with the typically black squiggly S that seemed to have been produced shortly thereafter? Its only anecdotal on my part, but I have a couple (flag, not squiggle) that I've given pretty rough duty w/no problems. But I'll keep an eye on it.robatsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641711964135698976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-33788621042672369442008-07-22T20:01:00.000-04:002008-07-22T20:01:00.000-04:00Robatsu, I'll buy the 48/34 rings off you. That's ...Robatsu, I'll buy the 48/34 rings off you. That's the combo I'm riding now and I'd love another set of rings.<BR/><BR/>Chris, fantastic cranks, thanks for adding the cut/milled rings.<BR/><BR/>I know this may be specific to each bike, but is there a recommended minimum BB axle length for these, assuming 68mm shell?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com