I'll admit that here is little good reason for drillium, save style. Yet it was very popular back in the day. The rational was that drilling holes in your components saved weight. Well it did, but not that much. On the other hand, it sure made your bike look fast. I had a drillium crank on my race bike. So I offer no excuse for this new drillium version of our Grand Cru 110bcd cranks other than that I want one for my own bike as do a few others here at VO.
The photo above is of the prototype. There are more holes in the version that is now in production and should reach us in late August. The first production run is small and I don't know if we'll do another. I wonder if others will like them as much as I do?
We have two other new cranks coming, one in late summer and another this winter, but we'll keep details secret for now.
Is that a single or is there another crank hiding behind those pretty holes?
ReplyDeleteIt's a 48/34 double and both rings will be drilled on the production version.
ReplyDeleteA GXP/MegaExo type crankset would be super hot. I know, it probably goes against the classic aesthetic, but it would be real nice to have a classy Velo-Orange touring crank on external bearings.
ReplyDeleteoffered as a crankset only, or are you planning on offering the rings separately? Drillium for drillium's sake is good enough.
ReplyDeleteWe might sell the rings separately eventually, if the cranks sell well.
ReplyDeleteExternal BB would increase the q-factor on our cranks and the difference in stiffness is nothing but a marketing thing. The only advantage I can see is that bigger bearings might last longer, but also cost more.
Sweet! (I'm login' me some drillium!) I'd sure love to see a 46/32 or a 46/30 option though.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
ReplyDeleteStyle may be the word used here, but I wouldm't precede it with a favorable descriptive.
Drillium is awesome. I have to urge you to consider real compact doubles. The 110mm BCD is totally mainstream now. Many of us are running 44/30 or 46/32 or similar on old 94mm BCD or other things. Your 50.4 and Compass' offerings are options, but somebody should step up and keep 94mm going.
ReplyDeleteDrillium is great!
ReplyDeleteI hope one of the new cranks gives new life to 94mm. Those of us that run a 44/30 or a 46/32 are waiting for that.
Just looking at the drillium makes me feel 35 years younger.
ReplyDeleteI thought I had finally decided to buy a grand cru 110 crank and now I need to wait to see what the new projects are going to reveal. Such is life. This may not be functional but it's fun. Makes me want to reinstall my drop bars so I can have one and have it match my levers.
ReplyDeleteSweet!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteI assume the price point will be somewhat above the standard crank, I'll have to figure out how to justify the expense to my significant other...
My first decent bike was a Peugeot PKN-10 with a beautiful Stronglight 105 bis crankset. I still have it and still love drillium. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI would assume it's a double, since there's a front derailleur
ReplyDelete"We have two other new cranks coming..." Drilled carbon fiber maybe? Kidding aside, I always loved the look of drill components.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely reminiscent of the Old Days of Campagnolo Nuovo Record equipped racing bikes in the 1970's. A cool look indeed!
ReplyDeleteIf you like Drillium/Millium Jon Williams flickr site is worth a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/54616231@N04/
Any chance you'll be offering these 110 arms on their own? I've got a special gearing option in mind that will never be the mass marketed version you'd have to offer. I hate the idea of buying the crank and rings and then also having to buy different rings. But I also understand if it's not in the cards.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I have a few bikes with Stronglight and SR Apex 86 BCD double cranksets!
ReplyDeletePlease please please please please tell me one of the new cranks is a Stronglight. 57 replica. In drillium.
ReplyDeletePls make a 34/46 available as well,
ReplyDeletecheers
Bringing back Drillium is a great retro idea. I can't tell you how many wonderful comments I get on my 170mm Gipiemme Pista crank arms and chain rings that have been, pantographed, drilled and painted by PORETTI.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/3210807573/in/set-72157612771751114
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/3210807209/in/set-72157612771751114
Now you need to bring back pantographed on your frames. May be "VO"s inside of a shield on both sides of the rear brake bridge amd on each side of the fork crowns. Also a vertical "VO" on on the seatstay caps.
This can be seen on my early 1980's custom Basso.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/sets/72157612771751114/
Pantographs on top of chromed fork crown:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/3219685542/in/set-72157612771751114
Pantographs on the rear brake bridge:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/3218836147/in/set-72157612771751114
Pantographs on the seat stay caps:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97652170@N00/3211463598/in/set-72157612771751114/
How much would this add to the cost of your frames?
I just bought a set of cranks... please sell the rings separately. different sizes would be nice too.
ReplyDelete-themilford
Stronglight link . Wow, I was reading this website above and thought of the Drillium. You refer to some websites from time to time, ever mentioned this one? TC Lotza nice bikes.
ReplyDeleteHow about the single speed 50.4 bcd chain rings - That would be real nice...
ReplyDeleteHow about the single speed chainrings?
ReplyDelete