redoak

Would like info on the steps Cannondale (Cannondale's contractor) uses to produce the Hollowgram crank arms. For this thread, not interested in the other components that make up the Hollowgram cranks.
What I know or at least what I "think I know".
- billet alloy milled out to create (2) clam shell halves per arm
- these clam shells are bonded together using some sort of epoxy resin
- arms are black or silver anodized
Of most interest, I would like to know if the (2) halves are bonded and THEN anodized or..........the (2) halves are anodized and then bonded together.
No I'm not launching a crank arm to compete with Cannondale. I'm considering anodizing some black Hollowgrams that have multiple shoe rubs. My searches have turned up numerous cyclists claiming they anodized Hollowgrams with no ill effects on the epoxy resin used by Cannondale. Some claim to have anodized their cranks (3) to (4) years back and they are still going strong.
And yes, I know what Cannondale would say about this type of behavior.
There are industry reps in this Forum. There are retailer / distributor types in this Forum who state they have Cannondale employees' ph. numbers. Give those Cannondale buddies a ring and lets see if we can get the REAL scoop.

emveezee

I hear that once you anodize them, and then scuff them again, the earth's air will ignite, burning the whole planet to a crisp. Better though than a crank arm with a scuff. So gauche.

abstractform20

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muckymucky

vids or it didnt happen

Bob Dopolina 

We are in Chinese New Year Holidays.

No phone calls until 31 Jan.

Painful Chafe

This thread confuses and scares me a little.

carpediemracing 

Did you call Cannondale?

WhyFi

Why would you do that when you can get the straight dope from BF?

Bob Dopolina 

Honestly, I doubt anyone is going to tell you anything about manufacturing methods.

The people I know (who work in Product Development) will have to contact Procurement to find out who the vendor is and then, unless they already have contact with that vendor, probably won't be able to even ask the vendor what the procedure is.

Even if they do ask the vendor will ask why guys in Product Development want to know...and so it goes.

DGlenday

Yah - PLEASE break long posts into paragraphs, separated by a blank line...

...like this.

I won't read a long, unbroken post, and I think that's true of at least half of the BF members.

Bob Ross

If you haven't already you might want to post this same question over here:
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/cannondale/
That (sub-)forum seems to be frequented by a couple of dealers with a seemingly inside scoop on many things Cannondale. They might not be able to circumvent the red tape that Bob Dopolina described, but it'd be worth a shot.

carpediemracing 

I think a call to customer service, "Hi, I've worn off the anodization off my SI crankarms, is it safe to re-anodize?" would work pretty well.

Manufacturing process, maybe not so much.

Bob Dopolina 

It's certainly worth a phone call.

roadwarrior

No. You are not allowed to know these things unless you deal with the retail public. There is a price to pay here and some pay dearly to learn industry secrets.

Besides, if you were told, you know what would happen next, right?

redoak

Ever since the total assimilation by DOREL the Tech dept. in Bedford has never been the same. The best guy there was moved 'UP'. His co-worker left and went back to college. The gentleman answering the phones now doesn't really get the 'customer' part of customer service. And yes, that tech line is for consumers and dealers alike.

Simply asking if I can re-anodize would never fly. I would be asking if I could take a retail consumer product to an unauthorized, non-certified repair center to have it refurbished. If Cannondale agreed and then the product failed resulting in injury, they would be totally exposed. No company in the world would sign on to that.

It occurred to me, the best way for Cannondale to ensure a uniform finish across the (2) halves (clam shells), would be to join them 'before' they are anodized. Anodizing them separately and then joining them could be problematic as far as the finish goes.
It also occurred to me, I can simply ask a Cannondale tech what color the inside of a black Hollowgram crank is. Those guys are always cutting up warrantied parts. The color of the inside of a black Hollowgram will give me my answer.

Bdop, when the CNY is over I would appreciate a phone call to your colleagues. It's always good to have (2) sources.

I <3 Robots

Have you actually tried calling? They were pretty helpful when I called looking for a bearing size.

Anodizing does not involve anything "mechanical"...correct? Its bathed in a solution of some kind with a current running through it. I don't see how it can fail in that process.

WhyFi

Man, are you reaching for excuses. People answer questions all of the time without it being either an implicit or explicit assumption of liability should unauthorized work result in a failure. Do people in your world sign waivers before each conversation?

Lexi01

Could just buy some new cranks?

redoak

I've called before. I'm calling tomorrow with my specific question.
The anodizing process involves (2) basic steps. First the part is 'etched'. That is basically an acid bath. It removes all surface impurities and opens up the surface so it can accept the dye in the second step.
Second step is the actual anodizing. Part is in a chemical bath. Current is applied through the part and throughout the bath and a dye is added.
The acid bath step is the part that has caused concern for people wanting to re-anodize their cranks. They are concerned the acid will attack the epoxy resin.

For those wanting to fully explain anodizing..................feel free.

redoak

Bike shop mechanics and sales guys/ gals hand out plenty of advise and helpful tips. And I'm glad they do. It's one of the best ways to learn more about cycling. Corporate types, Cannondale / DOREL tow the party line. Read a Cannondale Owner's Manual and the Owner's Manual Supplements. You probably have. They are heavily edited by lawyers. They stop just short of telling consumers, "if you ride this bike, at some point it will fail and you will die. And tell your heirs to NOT call us."

I <3 Robots

I've read about the acid bath. There has been posts on Weight Weenies with guys that have anodized their Si's with no issues.

redoak

I tracked down (2) guys from W Weenies that state they have anodized Hollowgrams with NO problems. I'm just looking for more facts, more real world experiences. And I'm very curious as to how Cannondale makes them in the first place.

zigmeister

I think the method they are hollowed out is wrong you state.

Bob Dopolina 

Just finished up a skype chat:

The cranks are machined from 2000 billet, bonded then anodized.

The issue is removing the current ano. The stripping process is VERY aggressive so you would need to be VERY mindful during the process.

Then etch and ano.

Ah yeah...your warranty will be voided...

Good luck.

redoak

Bob, your willingness to follow up and help the community is most appreciated.
You're a 'stand up guy' in a world cluttered with 'sit down people'.
Now on to something much more important. "Finding a way to export / import the CNY to the U.S." We could party from Dec 23 right through to the end of Jan!