Hairline cracks in cranks
08-19-09, 01:28 PM
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Hairline cracks in cranks
So I picked up this Bianchi Trofeo for cheap to clean up and flip, and in the disassembly/clean/reassembly I noticed 2 hairline cracks coming out from opposite corners of the square hole on in-facing side of the crank spider. These are Campagnolo Stratos cranks and I don't want to have to hunt down a new set for a flipper and don't have a decent back-up. They seem fine when they go back on and I've ridden on them without noticing any problems.
Should I worry about this or just warn the next owner and knock the asking price down a bit?
Should I worry about this or just warn the next owner and knock the asking price down a bit?
08-19-09, 01:39 PM
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I would knock it down a some and warn the next owner it is slightly dangerous but not catastrophic if they fail
08-19-09, 02:30 PM
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Sounds like the PO really overtightened those crank arms on the BB axle tapers to cause those corner cracks. Those cranks can suddenly crack through at the worst time. I'd trash them if there are definitely cracks on them, unless the buyer would sign a waver (can be done on the back of a receipt) to accept the bike "As-Is" with a description of the existing damage on the crank to be used at the owner's risk.
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08-19-09, 06:22 PM
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08-19-09, 06:34 PM
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08-19-09, 06:41 PM
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What year a size is this Trofeo and where are you flipping it? I sort of remember an issue with a crank from back in the early '80s late '70s si the bike that old?
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08-19-09, 07:38 PM
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It's a '96(+-1) and I'm in Atlanta. Even with the bad crank it's a great bike, but getting a new arm or crankset will slow me down in getting it back out the door.
08-20-09, 07:19 AM
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For Buyer to have a legal case against Seller, in the event that the crank failed and Buyer or his kin was injured, Buyer would need proof that Seller knowingly sold a bicycle in damaged, not fit to be ridden, condition. This thread proves that Seller knows about the damage and should be aware that it is potentially dangerous. The question would be, whether Buyer knows about it.
08-20-09, 07:34 AM
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I'll take a stab at it!
For Buyer to have a legal case against Seller, in the event that the crank failed and Buyer or his kin was injured, Buyer would need proof that Seller knowingly sold a bicycle in damaged, not fit to be ridden, condition. This thread proves that Seller knows about the damage and should be aware that it is potentially dangerous. The question would be, whether Buyer knows about it.
For Buyer to have a legal case against Seller, in the event that the crank failed and Buyer or his kin was injured, Buyer would need proof that Seller knowingly sold a bicycle in damaged, not fit to be ridden, condition. This thread proves that Seller knows about the damage and should be aware that it is potentially dangerous. The question would be, whether Buyer knows about it.
08-20-09, 07:45 AM
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If it were me, and I saw the cracked crankarm on a bike I was selling, I would nip the problem in the bud and pull the crankarm off and not include it in the sale.
Even if you have a buyer sign something acknowledging they are aware of the crack in the crankarm, that doesn't mean you won't have a lawsuit or other headaches if the crankarm contributes to an accident. You might win the lawsuit (I have no idea, I am not a lawyer), but is it worth the risk exposure and possible expense in defending a lawsuit?
Dan
Even if you have a buyer sign something acknowledging they are aware of the crack in the crankarm, that doesn't mean you won't have a lawsuit or other headaches if the crankarm contributes to an accident. You might win the lawsuit (I have no idea, I am not a lawyer), but is it worth the risk exposure and possible expense in defending a lawsuit?
Dan
08-20-09, 08:45 AM
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who knows what crack length will lead to rupture of those cracks. Not worth it.
08-20-09, 09:11 AM
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Thanks for the advice. Good thing someone just put a perfect replacement crankset on eBay....unless someone else out there has an 8-speed Campy crankset they want to trade for *hint hint*.
08-20-09, 09:19 AM
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I've got a first gen. chorus crankset... PM me if ebay thing falls through.
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08-20-09, 01:54 PM
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how long are the Chorus cranks?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
