Classic & Vintage - C-Record Engraved Cranks - What's the big deal?

I have had a couple people write to me after seeing pics of my track bike on a website and asking if I will trade my C-Record track crankset for an older Record track crankset that would be the same vintage as my bike (1970's). I probably would have traded with the first guy, but I didn't think it was worth the bother since the rest of the components on my bike are not original either and I don't really care that much. Then when another person wrote to me asking to trade cranks I started to wonder. My cranks have the engraved Campy logo which I believe was only done in the first year, 1985 or 1986? I know the earlier C-Record components are a little more desirable than the later ones but I guess I'm wondering is this really something rare, or is it just a fluke that a couple of people have written for these cranks?

I know the earlier C-Record components are a little more desirable than the later ones but I guess I'm wondering is this really something rare, or is it just a fluke that a couple of people have written for these cranks?

No fluke. The early, engraved, 1985 C-Record cranksets are extremely popular, and quite rare. My LBS has a pair of NOS first-gen crankarms - in 170, if I recall correctly - minus the rings, for $200. Much harder to find then an NR Pista crankset.

-Kurt

No fluke. The early, engraved, 1985 C-Record cranksets are extremely popular, and quite rare. My LBS has a pair of NOS first-gen crankarms - in 170, if I recall correctly - minus the rings, for $200. Much harder to find then an NR Pista crankset.

-Kurt

Thank you Kurt -- well that explains it, doesn't it? Kind of sad to think fellow track bike enthusiasts would try to rip me off like that.

Thank you Kurt -- well that explains it, doesn't it? Kind of sad to think fellow track bike enthusiasts would try to rip me off like that.

Yes, it does explain it. Now would you like to trade it for a near mint NR crankset? :D :p

Seriously though, some folks will do anything to snap that stuff up. You can foward the next inquiries to me ;)

-Kurt

I didn't realize they were that rare and in demand. I better hang onto mine. Glad I read this thread..:)
I believe both my track and road cranksets are engraved.

Edit: My 1993 Record road crankset has no engraving...

Yes, it does explain it. Now would you like to trade it for a near mint NR crankset? :D :p

Seriously though, some folks will do anything to snap that stuff up. You can foward the next inquiries to me ;)

-Kurt

Haha thanks Kurt, I'll be happy to!

My take on why the engraved version is more desirable: They can be polished to a finish approaching new, without loss of the logo. They're also ever so slighly more svelte than the later versions (they must've had a few break).

DG1

just watch ebay. C-record prices are through the roof right now!

just watch ebay. C-record prices are through the roof right now!

wow, really? do you know what track cranks would fetch?

Plus, of course, you can detail the logo in the color of your bike. Which would get you an equal measure of scorn and adulation over in SS/FG.

a quick search on ebay turned up zero C-record track cranks. There is an NOS hubset for 795 buy it now but that is insane. Super and regular record track cranks recently complete range from 120-290. In good condition I bet you could get over 300 for C-record track.

a quick search on ebay turned up zero C-record track cranks. There is an NOS hubset for 795 buy it now but that is insane. Super and regular record track cranks recently complete range from 120-290. In good condition I bet you could get over 300 for C-record track.


$795 for a pair of C-Record road hubs? That's crazy - hell, the local bike shop has a pair NOS high-flange C-Record PISTA hubs ("da-bomb" for fixie riders, from what I've heard) for $350. That's nowhere near that crazy eBay price.

-Kurt

cudak - 350? good deal. my lbs has em for 450 :/ 795 for road is obscene.

to the original poster - stop tripping. the guy you were talking to is a bikeforums regular, and one of the nicest, fairest people I know. he thought he had something you might want and you had something he wanted. thats all. besides, thats what making deals is, negotiating. if you think its unfair, negotiate a better deal for yourself, instead of slandering san francisco as "rutheless *******s" and accusing him of triyng to pull a fast one. whats wrong with someone trying to make something matching, whats so suspicious about that? he rides that thing witha a full c-record gruppo minus the cranks and was just trying to complete it. get over yourself.

Thank you Kurt -- well that explains it, doesn't it? Kind of sad to think fellow track bike enthusiasts would try to rip me off like that.

Hey hey hey

it's me the first or second guy who offer to trade your most valuable c-record crank set.
Remember this e-mail you send me this morning?

"Hey, nice try. Good thing I had the sense to be a little suspicious of someone claiming a C-Record crankset would be "correct" for his 2 year old bike. Nice to know a fellow cyclist would try to pull a fast one on me. I've heard people in San Francisco are ruthless selfish *******s. I guess I believe it.”


You don't have to but please explain why you said "fellow track bike enthusiasts would try to rip me off like that"

I saw your 74 Paramount with c-record crank set, so I asked you politely if you want to trade and have a later model on your Paramount. I have super record grouppo on my Paramount , and almost complete c-record grouppo on my Cinelli.

How could anyone be ruthless selfish *******s for trying to meet another biker and tradde some s-hit??? I wish you could have asked me nicely before you call me *******s. But hey you are one of them to call me that.

Have a great ride,

Bakabon, did you paint those rims on the cinelli? What kind are they. I love the brown on yellow!

those are just chocolate brown deep vs.

FWIW, 151 bcd campagnolo super record pista track cranks usually fetch $300 +/- $50 in a fair market.

those c-record pista cranks (once the hype for c-record stuff calms down and that niche-market gets fair again) should be fetching an average price of $320.

Quite fair trade, when comparing apples to apples.
(this data was found by looking through loads of completed auctions over the past few months on ebay, as well as taking into account what stores sell vintage stuff for and what i've seen those two cranksets go for on other forums.)

Thanks SF! perhaps this guy will learn something new today.

They are deep-v. they come in many other fun colour too.

well, I think that says about all there is to say on this topic
(unless someone wants to start quoting blue book value of Corsa Record
NOS vs 1st generation Super Record Pista NOS components.

that said, if the OP and subsequent posters have an issue take it
either to private messages or the mods/admins to try to "moderate"
it's not quite Cranky & Vintage type fare.

marty

cranky and vintage. hahaha, love it. :)

FWIW, 151 bcd campagnolo super record pista track cranks usually fetch $300 +/- $50 in a fair market.

those c-record pista cranks (once the hype for c-record stuff calms down and that niche-market gets fair again) should be fetching an average price of $320.

Quite fair trade, when comparing apples to apples.
(this data was found by looking through loads of completed auctions over the past few months on ebay, as well as taking into account what stores sell vintage stuff for and what i've seen those two cranksets go for on other forums.)

I like that "once the hype for c-record stuff calms down, should fetch..."! The point is they are more rare and desirable right now, and you really have no knowledge of what they might be worth in the future. And that guy was very sneaky about it. He made it sound like he was doing me some big favor trading me cranks that were the same vintage as the bike, and didn't mention anything about how much harder to find the C-Records are. Which is why, I'm sure, two people have asked me to trade, which is why I started wondering about these cranks and asked about it on here.

And why this guy felt the need to defend himself on here is beyond me. I am certainly not going to post about it anymore

Perhaps I should have clarified. The value of the two cranksets fluctuates around the same price range, but the C-Records are considerably more popular, and are in higher demand then the NR Pista cranksets. Funny that the C-Record prices don't surpass that of the NRs, considering the increased demand.

As for the dispute, for the benifit of the forums, please keep it private.

-Kurt

I like that "once the hype for c-record stuff calms down, should fetch..."! The point is they are more rare and desirable right now, and you really have no knowledge of what they might be worth in the future. And that guy was very sneaky about it. He made it sound like he was doing me some big favor trading me cranks that were the same vintage as the bike, and didn't mention anything about how much harder to find the C-Records are. Which is why, I'm sure, two people have asked me to trade, which is why I started wondering about these cranks and asked about it on here.

And why this guy felt the need to defend himself on here is beyond me. I am certainly not going to post about it anymore

Now you called me sneaky?? It's your dam parts. research about it. You have 3 bikes, I assumed you know a lot more than me about your things. it's not like I am infront of your door and try to take anything from your hand. If you don't want to trade then say no. Don't send me nasty e-mail.... and yes I am pissed.
This is definitely bullocks! I will definitely be more caucious when dealing with people I don't know.

Mod: sorry! I send him a private e-mail and recieve no reply.....

Am I missing something here? Neither crank is worth anything until it is put up for sale. If you need a crank to make your bike work, they both are equally valuable in getting the job done. The offered NR cranks is indeed more period correct for your frame and would therefore likely be increasing the value of the bike, so you would have to evaluate the increased value of the bike on top of the value of the sole crank.

As far as somebody ripping somebody off, does the OP not write in his blog that he got the bike at far less than market price? So, if the OP was consistent with his logic, he is an even greater rip-off artist! At least the fellows offering to trade were suggesting something period correct and close to the equivalnet value.

As for the value of the C-Record track cranks, in Europe where these cranks are far more common than here in North America, they are not highly valued at all. They can be had for less than half the price of an equivalent road version C-Record crank.