VO "cyclotouriste" cranks that can be set-up as a 46/30 double? Thanks for posting this, I was about to order a Sugino double. I think I'll hold off on that order.
I recently converted two triple chainwheel cranksets to the 50.4 bcd using double chainwheels. One was a TA the other a Sugino PX crank. I am very pleased with the result. Unless you're touring with a heavy load the double 50.4 is the way to go. 28/48 and 30/46 shift just fine.
This is one of two possible versions of the Grand Cru crank. We don't yet have the second version. That makes it hard to estimate which will be produced and when they will arrive. My best guess is early-to-mid summer.
Initially they will be sold only with 46t-30t rings. As production ramps up we'll have other rings and combinations. All will be CNC cut and, we hope, stiffer and nicer looking than TA rings.
All threading is ISO, no funny French stuff here except for the chain ring bolts. We kept those the same so you could use your old TA, Stronglight, or Nervar chain rings. Taper is JIS.
The goal is to have this crank with rings come in at under $150. The second version would be a little more expensive, but when you see it (if we can actually get it made; the tooling is more complicated) you may be amazed.
Kyle drew a dozen face designs for this crank and we unanimously agreed that the two bars and the oval looked best. The oval may get a foil sticker or it could be laser etched.
In addition to the Grand Cru crank we are working on a VO 110bcd crank in three configurations.
The cranks look great, but isn't it counter productive to make knock-offs of an already proven product? I appreciate the fact that you manufacture remakes of products that are no longer produced. I think we should support the few french manufactures left, after all most of buy products from you do to our love of french bicycles and parts. Every year there is more european manufactures closing down due to cheap outsourcing, and knock-offs. CFG
These are not knockoffs. They are simply another 50.4mm bcd cranks. No company in Europe still makes 50.4bcd cranks. TA discontinued their version 3 years ago. Stronglight, Nervar, and Sugino (Japan) discontinued their models a couple of decades ago.
I think it would look EXCELLET with a TA professional crankset-type (VO) black & silver label in the middle. It would look much cooler than a laser-etched logo. You might also make black labels to put in the other 2 flutes. A recurring revenue stream, yeah baby !!
Maybe I missed it and it was already covered, but...
Any idea of what length of BB spindle would be needed to get this type of crank (set up as a triple) to have a good chainline with a 135mm spaced 8/9/10 speed hub?
When using older triple-cranks on 135mm spaced frames with 8/9/10 wheels I often run into the problem of the longest commonly available BB spindle (127 I believe) not being long enough. I imagine the design of these cranks will take that into consideration.
I'd really love to put these cranks onto my faux-french Centurion Pro-Tour. Its the most fake french bike there ever was and these cranks would take it over the top.
On an unrelated note, are the Nitto Campee front racks with detachable pannier low-riders ever coming in?
really? i have run cranks from the 1960s to the 2000s on bikes from all of said decades, and never run out of spindle length. do your chainrings actually hit the drive side chainstay? unless they are painfully close, it should work. what set up are you using?
I just installed an old Sugino GT triple (1983, I think) on my camping bike and needed to use a 127mm spindle with a 2mm spacer. It's a little iffy shifting onto the granny sometimes -- I think it could use a few more mm in the spindle.
Have you ever installed that crank, or others like it? I guess the old Suginos are especially prone to this problem.
Will these have a bit more spacing between the crank arm and chainring than the TAs? I loved those cranks as did just about everyone, but found the tight dimension there made it pretty much unfeasible to use a modern front derailleur.
Seconding David_nj's comment in regards to width between the crank and ring. I'd also love to use these on my fiance's bike, and a little extra width goes a long way when kludging on a chainguard and fighting to get neither the crank arm or the chainring rubbing.
Remember that adding room between the arm and ring increases Q-factor, or tread. And the low tread is why so many experienced cyclists still prefer these cranks. A front derailleur with a flat outer plate, I use various Campy or FSA models, works perfectly. Chain guards are harder, but not impossible.
I second the foil sticker. Much classier than a laser etch. Replaceable as well (if you stock spares). I assume these are cold forged? Will be second model be as well? Thanks, F.C.
I noticed the new Ticino bikes by Electra in stock at a LBS, sporting very VOish racks, fenders, and 50.4mm BCD cranks. CK, you must be aware--care to comment?
Regarding the Ticino bikes by Electra, the story is that Electra ordered a bunch of VO parts, saying they were for show bikes, and then sent them to China or somewhere to be duplicated exactly. They just ripped off the designs according to several guys I know in the bike business.
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52 comments:
What about chainrings?
1.sasquatch toothpicks
2.obedience wands
3.french twizzle sticks
4.vo proto cranks
5.all of the above
NOS stronglite cranks or the new VO 50.4 bcd crank. one or the other.
in stock?
knockoff TA/Stronglight cranks?
Chris, you are cranking out the eye candy this week. First the bags, then the rando frames, now these cranks.
:)
very nice.
50.4 BCD cranks have been made by at least six manufacturers since the 1930s.
It's great that VO is continuing the tradition.
Interesting. I take it the VO logo will be features in the recessed oval on the crank arm?
What I'll be putting on the rando frame? :D
handles for fancy kitchen kabinets ?
VO "cyclotouriste" cranks that can be set-up as a 46/30 double? Thanks for posting this, I was about to order a Sugino double. I think I'll hold off on that order.
a plan coming together...
http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2008/04/rfp-for-bcd.html
I recently converted two triple chainwheel cranksets to the 50.4 bcd using double chainwheels. One was a TA the other a Sugino PX crank. I am very pleased with the result. Unless you're touring with a heavy load the double 50.4 is the way to go. 28/48 and 30/46 shift just fine.
Greetings,
They're "persuaders".
Best regards.
Chris- what will the smallest chainring sizes be, both inner and outer?
Don't do the oval thing.
will they take the irritatingly different TA crank threads, or ISO?
AWESOME!!
Marimba sticks.
Also wondering about tread? It's a beautiful design. A set has Eugene marked on it already. When will they arrive- approximately that is...
Do they come in 165mm?
This is one of two possible versions of the Grand Cru crank. We don't yet have the second version. That makes it hard to estimate which will be produced and when they will arrive. My best guess is early-to-mid summer.
Initially they will be sold only with 46t-30t rings. As production ramps up we'll have other rings and combinations. All will be CNC cut and, we hope, stiffer and nicer looking than TA rings.
All threading is ISO, no funny French stuff here except for the chain ring bolts. We kept those the same so you could use your old TA, Stronglight, or Nervar chain rings. Taper is JIS.
The goal is to have this crank with rings come in at under $150. The second version would be a little more expensive, but when you see it (if we can actually get it made; the tooling is more complicated) you may be amazed.
Kyle drew a dozen face designs for this crank and we unanimously agreed that the two bars and the oval looked best. The oval may get a foil sticker or it could be laser etched.
In addition to the Grand Cru crank we are working on a VO 110bcd crank in three configurations.
the 2nd would be:Carmina compatible??
Please keep us updated on the second version production. And thanks, Chris, for all that you do.
laser etched
Foil Sticker please!
Not sure if you've covered this, but 172.5 would be sweet! I might be riding an older set of this style already if I could find a pair.
Please make them in various lengths. I would buy a set today in 180mm (or longer?).
can I get the left crank 3mm longer? for my short leg? what about matching biopace rings? This is awesome!
The cranks look great, but isn't it counter productive to make knock-offs of an already proven product? I appreciate the fact that you manufacture remakes of products that are no longer produced. I think we should support the few french manufactures left, after all most of buy products from you do to our love of french bicycles and parts. Every year there is more european manufactures closing down due to cheap outsourcing, and knock-offs.
CFG
These are not knockoffs. They are simply another 50.4mm bcd cranks. No company in Europe still makes 50.4bcd cranks. TA discontinued their version 3 years ago. Stronglight, Nervar, and Sugino (Japan) discontinued their models a couple of decades ago.
How exciting! Can't wait to see the final product.
Will rings be available separately?
Next project: Velo Orange super CK rear derailleur????
Tent-peg drivers?
I think it would look EXCELLET with a TA professional crankset-type (VO) black & silver label in the middle. It would look much cooler than a laser-etched logo. You might also make black labels to put in the other 2 flutes. A recurring revenue stream, yeah baby !!
Maybe I missed it and it was already covered, but...
Any idea of what length of BB spindle would be needed to get this type of crank (set up as a triple) to have a good chainline with a 135mm spaced 8/9/10 speed hub?
When using older triple-cranks on 135mm spaced frames with 8/9/10 wheels I often run into the problem of the longest commonly available BB spindle (127 I believe) not being long enough. I imagine the design of these cranks will take that into consideration.
I'd really love to put these cranks onto my faux-french Centurion Pro-Tour. Its the most fake french bike there ever was and these cranks would take it over the top.
On an unrelated note, are the Nitto Campee front racks with detachable pannier low-riders ever coming in?
oh hell yeah! please make them in 165. :)
nathan:
really? i have run cranks from the 1960s to the 2000s on bikes from all of said decades, and never run out of spindle length. do your chainrings actually hit the drive side chainstay?
unless they are painfully close, it should work. what set up are you using?
Artificial Knee and Hip replacements for us old Geezers ?
They will be available in 165, 170, and 175mm.
We don't plan to restock Campee racks.
Sticker please. Laser engraving looks awful, in my opinion.
@Johnson
I just installed an old Sugino GT triple (1983, I think) on my camping bike and needed to use a 127mm spindle with a 2mm spacer. It's a little iffy shifting onto the granny sometimes -- I think it could use a few more mm in the spindle.
Have you ever installed that crank, or others like it? I guess the old Suginos are especially prone to this problem.
Would gladly buy these cranks, and prefer to not have them be chromed.
Will these have a bit more spacing between the crank arm and chainring than the TAs? I loved those cranks as did just about everyone, but found the tight dimension there made it pretty much unfeasible to use a modern front derailleur.
Seconding David_nj's comment in regards to width between the crank and ring. I'd also love to use these on my fiance's bike, and a little extra width goes a long way when kludging on a chainguard and fighting to get neither the crank arm or the chainring rubbing.
Remember that adding room between the arm and ring increases Q-factor, or tread. And the low tread is why so many experienced cyclists still prefer these cranks. A front derailleur with a flat outer plate, I use various Campy or FSA models, works perfectly. Chain guards are harder, but not impossible.
I second the foil sticker. Much classier than a laser etch. Replaceable as well (if you stock spares). I assume these are cold forged? Will be second model be as well? Thanks, F.C.
Lovely and long overdue.
I noticed the new Ticino bikes by Electra in stock at a LBS, sporting very VOish racks, fenders, and 50.4mm BCD cranks. CK, you must be aware--care to comment?
Regarding the Ticino bikes by Electra, the story is that Electra ordered a bunch of VO parts, saying they were for show bikes, and then sent them to China or somewhere to be duplicated exactly. They just ripped off the designs according to several guys I know in the bike business.
your secret model..
http://www.bikecult.com/works/chainring/bentarms.jpg
?
please carry a 1/8 track ring!
http://www.bikecult.com/works/chainring/smudgcr.jpg
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