Retro Grouch 

Yup, they are what they are. There are no bad bicycles, there is only use other than intended.

elmore leonard

Worksman bicycles still makes their bikes in the USA. They seem to make a lot of heavy duty work bikes. I went to their web page after you posted the above and saw that they make bikes with single speed, 3 speed and 7 speed hubs now, and they still use the one piece crank. Interesting company to say the least. I really like their layback seat posts on some of their bikes. With everyone buying Chinese now, you have to wonder what their future is going to be. Maybe the strong "Buy USA" following will carry them through these difficult times. Walmart has a “Made in the USA” campaign". I wonder if they sell Workman bikes?

It's the same old story. Many people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

fietsbob

Worksman, Their market is Industrial Factories , Like Boeing, with big distances between the tool and parts rooms and the Job site.

Three wheels with a tool box on the back weighing a lot.

LesterOfPuppets

I'm surprised they didn't mention my favorite part - remove and repack with simple tools - Flat blade screwdriver and a big Crescent!

rmfnla

My first thought as well.

Channel-locks will do in a pinch...

exmechanic89

Re-pack?! I thought one piece cranks were made to be non serviceable.

Bezalel

The problem with one piece cranks is that what makes a strong crank is not the same as what makes a strong axle, leading to too much mass compared to separate cranks and axles.

Scooty Puff Jr

In the early 80's I raced BMX bikes in the ABA, I had a Race Inc. frame with Landing Gear forks, and a solid chrom-moly one piece crank. That bike went thru hell, many broken goose necks, seat posts, and wheels. Never once had an issue with the cranks, back then even good 3 piece cranks were pricey, and I would see them break often at races. When you're 13 years old, cost and strength trumped weight.

AlmostTrick

The extra pound or two of a one piece crank doesn't matter in the applications where they are used. The fact that they are not sealed from the elements is a drawback, but can be mitigated with regular cleaning/repacking, which as noted above, is easily accomplished with basic hand tools. I find properly adjusting the cones to get them "just right" to be quite an enjoyable and satisfying task.

exmechanic89

Thats a cool ride.

AlmostTrick

Thanks. I ended up selling all those parts on an even cleaner Continental frame for only $100 because I wasn't using the bike and got tired of seeing it sitting around. That person got a great deal, but to be honest it didn't cost me that much.

banana rat

I see the Bikes Direct are single piece cranks too. I've just started doing my own bike work and starting to think the single crank is not such a bad thing as I'm learning all this stuff. I ordered a sealed bearing as a replacement for my Walmart Kent Lajolla and still have not had to change it out yet. It's a 3 piece crank but has caged bearings, not a sealed unit. I've been keeping an eye on it and keep it greased and still going strong so far.

exmechanic89

I really dig the simplicity/clean look of it. Even the one piece cranks go well with the overal look of the bike. I'm gonna build something similar soon I think.

Reynolds 

I don't know if there are any high quality one piece cranks, but every one I have worked on aren't what you'd call precision equipment.

AlmostTrick

Not a great pic due to the shadows, but here's the Continental frame. The original green paint and decals were darn near perfect. Check out the lettering and pinstripes on the fork.

The "Poverty" brand one piece crank is longer than the original, (175mm, I believe) and cost me $10.



If you build something like this I'd love to see it. I kinda wish I kept this one.

AlmostTrick

^^^ True story... yet when lubed and adjusted properly they work fine.

rhenning

I also agree that one piece cranks have a place. If you want better quality parts don't buy Wald level parts. Buy BMX quality stuff or Schwinn original parts. One of my single speeds on a $10 Super Sport frame with parts from around the house. Roger

rmfnla

An interesting way to say they are too damn heavy!

At least their position on the bike helps to lower the center of gravity...

exmechanic89

Yeah that looks great, very clean build. I've put together several bikes from the frame up, too - like the '91 Trek 750 in the pic. It was Trek's 2nd to top of the line hybrid at the time, and had a fully lugged, US made True Temper frame. I got the frame for $30 and basically built it up from parts bin parts I had, so it essentially has nothing original on it except for the headset, lol. It's turned out to be a great ride, though.

I do like the way one piece cranks look on some of these vintage Schwinns, and I dont think I would change that if I was building up a frame. I'll definitely post some pics though once I get rolling.