Classic & Vintage - Crank options-1972 Raleigh International

So, I am trying to find some Nuovo Record 175mm cranks for my 1972 Raleigh and I dont see them too often on Ebay in that size...if spring comes around and I still havent found any I am wondering what might be a good modern available crank to use instead...something chrome and shiny and somewhat retro looking? Also, if anyone has suggestions on where to look other than ebay please let me know. I have seen single Nuovo or Super Record crank arms on Ebay occasionally...if I dont care about a matching crankset would that be a way to go...i.e...will I be able to find a left crank arm if I buy a right one?

Thanks for any suggestions...Im sure I will have a few other questions when I start putting everything together.

I wouldn't go buying single arms...you never know when the match will pop up..maybe never (or just in an alternate universe)

Look for vintage Stonglight or TA cranks also...they can be even nicer than Nuovo Record and wouldn't be outta place on an early Raleigh International. They should also work with a Nuovo Record bottom bracket.

A little eBay tip for Campy Nuovo record cranks: a lot of people don't know that their cranks are Nuovo Record and simply put "Campagnolo cranks" or "strada" in the listing. These should go cheaper than the "Super Nuovo Record pre-date code NOS" bling hype.

BTW... I have vintage '72 Lyotard steel racing pedals in great shape that would work nicely with a Raleigh Pro/International. $40.

Any particular reason you have to have 175mm cranks?

Yes, do consider Stronglight, TA, and even Nervar. Sugino and Ofmega have both made cranksets which look very much like Campagnolo, but avoid first-generation Sugino Mighty Compes, which have too little material around the pedal eye. (I know this from painful experience ... .)

Any particular reason you have to have 175mm cranks?

Well, Im 6'2" and riding a ~62cm frame...and the longer cranks give me better leverage...especially on longer rides when my nice smooth spin starts to fizzle out...I think I also like them on the hills to pull(push?) my 220lbs or beer muslce up to the top. I have shorter cranks on my track bike(Mexican made Carabela...sweet chrome lugs) but I think thats also because its made for the Velodrome and much higher cadence.

Others that are spitting images of the campy NR include some Zeus (but maybe even pricier than Campy?) and Galli. I have a Galli crank that you could not tell the difference except looking at the name on the arm.

Might try looking for Sugino on ebay as well, cheap alternative. I have some NR 180 arms if you really need them!

So, I am trying to find some Nuovo Record 175mm cranks for my 1972 Raleigh and I dont see them too often on Ebay in that size...if spring comes around and I still havent found any I am wondering what might be a good modern available crank to use instead...something chrome and shiny and somewhat retro looking? Also, if anyone has suggestions on where to look other than ebay please let me know. I have seen single Nuovo or Super Record crank arms on Ebay occasionally...if I dont care about a matching crankset would that be a way to go...i.e...will I be able to find a left crank arm if I buy a right one?

Thanks for any suggestions...Im sure I will have a few other questions when I start putting everything together.

I have a Shimano 600 (Ultegra) on my Super Course. It looks retro enough, and it fits the bike well.

Well, Im 6'2" and riding a ~62cm frame...and the longer cranks give me better leverage...especially on longer rides when my nice smooth spin starts to fizzle out...I think I also like them on the hills to pull(push?) my 220lbs or beer muslce up to the top. I have shorter cranks on my track bike(Mexican made Carabela...sweet chrome lugs) but I think thats also because its made for the Velodrome and much higher cadence.

If that is what you are comfortable with, then that is what you need. I wrote an initial response questioning your choice, but looked at some sources before posting it. There are a lot of different formulas for suitable crank length. I am familiar with the accepted logic for crank length. But it seems to me it comes down to whatever you are comfortable with. I had thought originally you were needlessly limiting your choices.

Might try looking for Sugino on ebay as well, cheap alternative. I have some NR 180 arms if you really need them!

I've got a nice Sugino double with maroon painted panel indents that I just took off of a Nishiki International. The crank arms are 170mm, though. PM me if interested


If that is what you are comfortable with, then that is what you need. I wrote an initial response questioning your choice, but looked at some sources before posting it. There are a lot of different formulas for suitable crank length. I am familiar with the accepted logic for crank length. But it seems to me it comes down to whatever you are comfortable with. I had thought originally you were needlessly limiting your choices.

Yeah - crank length is a funny thing....... :D

I'm 5'11" and I used to ride 170's, and my current bike has 175's. Don't know if I can really tell a definitive difference, as the respective bikes they were on are totally different machines. The 175's ride nice and are comfortable over the course of all-day excursions, so I'm good with them.

I second your opinion - whatever you're comfortable with!

Yes, do consider Stronglight, TA, and even Nervar. Sugino and Ofmega have both made cranksets which look very much like Campagnolo, but avoid first-generation Sugino Mighty Compes, which have too little material around the pedal eye. (I know this from painful experience ... .)

Yes, I have snapped a cheap 80's non brand crank arms right in half(with me out of the saddle of course...crash) so I am trying avoid the cheaper stuff and look for good forged one piece cranks...something that can handle 220lbs. I have spotted some Nervar cranks before...are these French? Are they good cranks? Also, I have been waiting to find a crank to figure out what bottom bracket I will need...will most these cranks be able to work with standard square taper bottom brackets? I currently have a modern sealed until installed...Im assuming I will have to replace to match whatever crank I find. Is there a standard size bottom bracket width that works with Vintage cranks like these listed above?

As a 6'4" guy, I can relate to the need for 175's.

Check out Shimano 600 arabesque (pre-'84) and also Dura Ace from that era. Until the Shimano 105 and 600 lines went more to an aero look in '85 or so, it seems to me that Shimano was trying real hard to look Campy-ish. The arabesque stuff shows up on eBay preetty regularly ...

Is there different crank arm pedal threading that I need to worry about...most of the cranks I am seeing dont even have this listed...the few that I have seen listed are 9/16" x 20tpi. This appears to me the modern standard but I am not sure about 70's and early 80's cranks.

I guess it ultimatly depends on how much you want them but what do you think a average price for used 175mm Nuovo or Super record crankset on ebay? Should I be able to get a set with chainrings for $100.

One more question...what are my options for bottom brackets for Record cranks? Will modern sealed units work if it is the right spindle length(what size do I need anyway?) or should I try and get original campy unit?

If you're not too picky about details you can find 'em reasonable. I picked up a set of 175 non-dated NR's for less than $45 incl shipping off eBay - but no caps, and the rings were Specialized SR copies in good shape (no webbing like the correct date NR) - you wouldn't know from a distance, and the chainring bolts were not Campy, either. Since I ride the bike I wouldn't want to use up real Campy rings anyway. And to go along with earlier search comments, use a wildcard (*) search. eg. camp* - finds campy, campagnolo, campagnola, and other misspellings.

Well, Im 6'2" and riding a ~62cm frame...and the longer cranks give me better leverage...

That's an illusion. See: http://sheldonbrown.com/cranks

Sheldon "165" Brown

Also, about your bottom bracket. Depends. Assuming you find a correct crankset - if you use a no-lip Campy front derailleur (pre '77), then the spec'd spindle length was 112mm. From post-lipped '77, it's 114.5mm (most call it 115mm). Use of the shorter spindle with the lipped derailleur = rubbing the backside of your early crankset. Correct Campy units sell for anywhere from $25 and up on eBay, just bid cheap on a lot of them 'til you buy one. I've had to grind out interference in the middle of my older BB housings to install sealed units, but it can be done. Look for Campy/ISO taper, not Shimano/JIS.

I think these would be perfect for it if you're willing to settle for 170's after reading what Sheldon had to say on the subject of crank length:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180079919799&rd=1&rd=1