cudak888 

First off, let me say that I don't usually dabble with French manufacturers, for I don't particularly care for their bikes or components (read: Simplex out the wazoo). However, a recent project has prompted me to look into the TA Professional crankset for it's beautiful, vintage appearance.

My knowledge on most anything from France (save for the UO-8) is very sketchy, so I present to you fine fellows here on the forum, this series of stupid questions that I need to know about the TA Professional crankset if I plan to use it on my project:

#1: I only need a single chainring for this project. I have seen TA Professionals set up with single rings for track racing - but are these crankarms made for single chainrings exclusively? In other words, was there a specific, single-ring TA Professional crankarm produced? If so, were they produced in 172.5?

#2: Do they fit English cotterless crankset BBs, or do they require those oversized BB axles?

#3: I've seen the TA Pros drilled for French-thread pedals - but not English. Were any Professionals drilled for English pedals?

#4: Did they make 48t outer chainrings for these?

Thanks for all your help!

-Kurt

number6

TA 3 pin professional cranksets were made both for road and track. Track used 1/8" thick rings. also the lands for the inner ring were absent. The track cranks used bolts vs. hollow fasteners often but not exclusively. BB taper is different from Campagnolo, axle length is different as well. crank lengths were technically avail. in a wide range, 160 to 175. Most except those sold to Raleigh had French threading, taped a pair years ago to 9/16" x 20 so I could run Campagnolo pedals. (Campagnolo did make french threaded pedals... try finding THEM!) A good crankset, they polish really bright too. Ring sizes were avail. from 48th for the outer, inner and outer are not perfectly interchangeable as the teeth are not centered on the ring. I had to run a 47t for my Junior gear limit decades ago, it worked, but the fastener heads did not fit flush with this set up. Inner went down to 38 or 40, I forget. The labels for the crank arms are often sold for as much as a "rider" crankset. Phil Wood BB is a good choice but not cheap, they make axles in many lengths and the correct taper. Thats what I fit years ago to upgrade the BB, the TA spindle is well finished but the cups are equal to B line Sugino. Be sure to get a TA crank puller, some others will fit but will not fit tight, crank damage is the result. Bolts are 15mm, same as Campagnolo. Jingle Bells.

T-Mar

I'm at length from my reference literature for a couple of weeks, but here goes:

1. Not sure. I've seen the single ring set-up too, but I'm not sure if it was a unique forging.

2. The cranks use the standard 2 degree taper and will fit any of the square, tapered spindles, though the chailine will be affected to various degrees, depending on the spindle, TA also made English threaded bottom brackets.

3. Versions with English pedal threads were available. However, if you have a French threaded version, it can be tapped to English.

4. yes 48T was available. I have a lfairly larger stock of NOS TA Pro chainrings. I think that I have a 48T. If you need one, send me a PM or e-mail after January 07. I should be home by then.

One caution. The thead for the crankset removal is different on the old TA cranksets and is not compatible with modern removers. The old double-threaded Park remover had one side threaded for TA.

FarHorizon

Hi Kurt!

Your post made me dig out the TA I had in my spares box. As to your questions:

1. I have the track TA - my ring is a track ring. My cranks are 165 mm arm, so TA probably produced a "usual range" of arm lengths, although this is just speculation on my part - I don't know for sure about the 172.5.
2. My TA looks like it fits a square-taper BB.
3. My TA may or may not be a "Professional." However, it IS fitted for 9/16" 20tpi standard pedals.
4. My TA **has** a 48 tooth track ring on it, so obviously, they are available.

I'm about to put my TA on e-Bay next week. At the price it'll sell for, you may want to watch for it just for the chainring. Otherwise, PM me and we'll see.

Good luck and I'm sure some more knowledgable poster will reply with accurate answers to your questions. Merry Christmas!

cudak888 

Thank you all very much for your responses!

From what I can see then, I shouldn't have many a problem, save for the requirement of purchasing a special TA/Stronglight crank remover.

I note that TA Pro track cranks appear commonly in 165mm, but I have noticed that anything 170 or longer appears to be nonexistent. This is my main concern at the moment: Locating a pair of track-specific arms in 170mm or 172.5mm (if it exists) with English threading.

Since the application in question would be running a single chainwheel to a Sturmey-Archer 4-speed internal-gear drive, I believe I would ultimately mount a standard 1/2 pitch chainring on the track cranks. In fact, I'm glad Number6 mentioned that the track cranksets used bolts instead of the hollow fasteners, for I would prefer the former.

T-Mar, I appriciate your offer on the chainring, and I'll certainly keep you in mind. I would probably go for it right now, if the price is right, but I don't want to jump on the chainring before I've found the crankset to fit it - hopefully, at one of the LBS, for I do not care to pay eBay prices for one.

By the way, one last question (which might have been answered already):

I'm not too familiar with the various tapers available for cotterless cranks. I do know of the common taper utilized on '80s Shimano and Suntour cranks, and I am aware that a slightly larger taper exists - for I accidentally bought one at the LBS, along with a few others of the "normal" taper.

My question is: What taper do the TA cranks have? I don't mind a different taper - my only concern is locating a BB axle (I don't usually use sealed BBs) that has both the proper taper, and the correct width for this application.

Take care,

-Kurt

cudak888 

P.S.: I don't particularly care whether it's called a "Professional" or not - just so long as it looks like this (save for the inch-pitch chainring):



...and I believe this model is called the "Professional". I'm only interested in it for it's resemblance of the cottered cranks used back in the 1940's.

-Kurt

FarHorizon

OK - Mine's DEFINITELY NOT the "Professional" if that's what your photo is. My crank has a small (2.5") diameter center flange with six bolts holding a six-armed chain ring. The arms look the same, though. I don't know WHAT mine is called. Do any of youse folks?

number6

Try:

https://www.bikespecialties.com/parts.html

Cyclo-touriste is what I think you have then

FarHorizon

I think, according to the bikespecialties site, that what I have is a "Pre-60's track crank" with FIVE bolts (not six - my bad...) and six struts on the chainwheel. Since my chainwheel is 1/8" wide, I'm sure it is the track model.

T-Mar

Don't assume that it is a track model just because of the chain width. I don't have access to my references right now, but 3/32 chain is not as old as you may think. If it's pre-1960s, it may still be a road model.

FarHorizon

There are no "cutouts" on the back side of the spider mount for a second chainring. If this were a road crank, the back would have to be recessed.

cudak888 

Make note to self: Never get the VeloFranco guys going again...

-Kurt