Classic & Vintage - Debating on whether to use this crankset or not

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hellojoben
11-14-10, 11:14 PM
well that's my bike build basically. Im right in the middle of trading with someone here with an ofmega crankset.



link to my brakeset and the attached pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41891783@N04/


things not shown
-nitto noodle bars
-gipiemme cronospecial hubs (shown but not up close, they're mounted)
-nuovo record front derailleur (rear is mounted)


well what do you guys think?


hellojoben
11-14-10, 11:15 PM
I'm sure you guys know what crankset this is, but if not it's a mavic 631.


some call it the "starfish"

mkeller234
11-14-10, 11:24 PM
Sure, why not? I've never been crazy about the style of them but they certainly are interesting.


funkflex
11-14-10, 11:27 PM
Im right in the middle of trading with someone here with an ofmega crankset.

If your trading them away, wouldn't that mean you have already decided to not use them??? Personally I think they are ugly, but its your bike so do what you like.

hellojoben
11-14-10, 11:43 PM
If your trading them away, wouldn't that mean you have already decided to not use them??? Personally I think they are ugly, but its your bike so do what you like.

true, but I'm debating on trading them; still waiting for his pictures.

With these cranks I have originality, but with the other cranks I get a more classic look.

idkidkidk

steppinthefunk
11-15-10, 12:06 AM
I've always liked the Mavic "Starfishes". But I never considered getting a set myself since I feel like they are better suited to a larger frame and I ride small (similar to your size).

hellojoben
11-15-10, 12:46 AM
I've always liked the Mavic "Starfishes". But I never considered getting a set myself since I feel like they are better suited to a larger frame and I ride small (similar to your size).

yes, I was thinking that myself. I think your comment is pushing me toward trading it! my frame is pretty small (50-51)


thanks:)

WNG
11-15-10, 01:33 AM
That's a pretty fine example of a Mavic 'Starfish'. What are you trading for? It better be pretty high end like a Mistral in prestine condition.
These Mavics are getting rare.

Chombi
11-15-10, 02:58 AM
The Mavic 631 "Starfish" crank is sort of an "aquired taste" item. I myself, a French cyclo fan am not really atrracted to it and would only consider it for an all French period build, just to complete a mid 80's to early 90's Mavic SSC group picture on a bike.
BTW, the big ring on it is not original. It should not have the triangular cutouts at the chainring bolt area....although it does make it a little bit more interesting looking with the cutouts.

Chombi

bradtx
11-15-10, 06:01 AM
hellojoben, I've always thought they were attractive. That said I think they look better on a frame with OS tubes, but what do I know?

Brad

rhm
11-15-10, 07:57 AM
These Mavics are getting rare.
All right, that's good news!:thumb:

Chombi
11-15-10, 11:42 AM
These smoothed out cranks that I think was borne out of the aero era of the mid 80's, just do not have the lasting visual impact as classic fluted cranks have had all these years.
Yes, the Mavic was a sort of exception amongst smooth cranks as it took the concept further than most, but all the smooth cranks that came afterwards kinda dulled the impact the Mavic might have had on cyclists (doesn't help that it was kinda heavy too).
Funny that I still remember how much of an impact smooth cranks of those times had on me, specially the Edco Competition. The Edco's looks impressed me so much that it was a dream component for me for some years through the mid 80's. But frankly, I now couldn't see what the big deal was with the Edco (other than it's rarity). It's still looks like a nice crank, but I might not hesistate picking an NOS Stronglight 106 over it these days.
I'm kinda struggling too with what to do with a Stronglight Delta (Stronglight's kinda aero-ish offering at that time) crank I found last year:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/BeckVFR/Picture002-6.jpg
It should make an ideal crank for my Vitus Carbone, having the CF laminate on the big ring, but Dang, it's otherwise a generally dull looking crank, even with the CF applique on it:twitchy:.....so the fluted 630 Mavic crank has gotten a reprieve and is still doing duty on the bike.

Chombi

hellojoben
11-15-10, 06:26 PM
That's a pretty fine example of a Mavic 'Starfish'. What are you trading for? It better be pretty high end like a Mistral in prestine condition.
These Mavics are getting rare.

true! i got it off that bianchi sitting in the picture. The bike had just been laying around in the garage for quite a while.
I'm guessing that the crankset was brushed up against something to make the scratch on the drive side of the crank.

haha happy they're getting rare:)

hellojoben
11-15-10, 06:29 PM
It should make an ideal crank for my Vitus Carbone, having the CF laminate on the big ring, but Dang, it's otherwise a generally dull looking crank, even with the CF applique on it:twitchy:.....so the fluted 630 Mavic crank has gotten a reprieve and is still doing duty on the bike.

Chombi

I like the dullness, that's sort of my style. I'm not really a flashy guy.

I also looked at those 630's on velobase. I really like the look of those.
lucky you have both haha