Bicycle Mechanics - 2nd Failure Cannondale SI Hollowgram Crank

Riding a Cannondale R5000 all DA and I keep having issues with the SI cranks coming apart. About 2 years ago Cannondale replaced the original cranks because of the same problem. Now two years later, the same problem.. Cranks are cracking at the seams. I'm not that hard on them and there is probably less than 5000 miles on them.

Hard to accept spending $400+ on new cranksarms every two years as normal. Guess I have to go on down to the LBS an hour away and see what they say. They are technically out of warranty so I may have to spend the bucks only to probably see them break a third time. It may be time to switch to different crankset.

I've never had crank arms fail on any other type of crankset except Cannondale SI's. And now two times.

Attached are pics of the problem.

Anybody else having this problem? SI Hollowgram are not all they say if they come apart regularly.

I'd immediately contact Cannondale and ask for a warranty replacement or a different model crank. These are obviously a defective design and Cannondale has to be aware of the problem.

I emailed the pics to cannondale and received a reply indicating that the cranks are out of warranty after 1 year and I have to work through a dealer to take up the issue. Dealer that I purchased from is out of business and the next closest dealer is an hour away.

Seems kind of crazy to have to replace $400-$500 crankarms every two years. Is this to be expected?

Seems kind of crazy to have to replace $400-$500 crankarms every two years. Is this to be expected?

My $30 shimano cranks don't even do that. Completely unacceptable. Expensive does not necessarily mean durable however.

Seems kind of crazy to have to replace $400-$500 crankarms every two years. Is this to be expected?
No, of course not. Cranks should last decades. Why do you think they sell replacement chainrings :)

Seriously, I've and my friends/family have gotten 30,000+ miles on several cranks with no problems whatsoever. They were still in good, usable condition when "retired" as part of an upgrade.

Maybe it's time to cut your losses and buy a Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra, or even a 105 crank and bottom bracket and be done with it.

I'd immediately contact Cannondale and ask for a warranty replacement or a different model crank. These are obviously a defective design and Cannondale has to be aware of the problem.

+1.

I'd contact them again. They will still send you to your nearest dealer again but, at least they should contact that dealer and send the replacement part to them AND have them install it to be certain that is was done correctly.

Based on what you've described I'm sure the people at Crank n' Fail have seen this before. (Old joke, I know, but I couldn't help myself:eek:)

Based on what you've described I'm sure the people at Crank n' Fail have seen this before. (Old joke, I know, but I couldn't help myself:eek:)
Actually the "old joke" was Crack 'n Fail, not Crank, and it referred to their first thin wall frame's tendency to crack, not to their cranks but the legacy lives on. :p

Actually the "old joke" was Crack 'n Fail, not Crank, and it referred to their first thin wall frame's tendency to crack, not to their cranks but the legacy lives on. :p

Yeah, actually that was a pun on the old joke. ;)

I sold them in the late 80's and early 90's and remember several of their frames cracking, especially around the seat collar.

Time for an upgrade...Go for a Sugino Square taper compact setup. It will be heavier but probably won't self destruct. Hell my Shimano 600 cranks from the local dumps are still taking plenty of abuse.

Yeah, actually that was a pun on the old joke. ;)

I sold them in the late 80's and early 90's and remember several of their frames cracking, especially around the seat collar.

I was sure you knew the original joke. My comment was for the benefit of our younger(!) readers. Heh, heh. :p