modestmouse

Can anyone tell me if there is any variation in the profile bulletproof cranks? I'm cruising the net and to me it kinda looks like some of them are more round, and some have a more square profile. It may just be poor pictures but here's what I'm looking at...

to me this looks rounder...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bulletproof-Comp...QQcmdZViewItem

and these appear more square...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bulletproof-Cran...ayphotohosting

Is it just me? I'd prefer the square profile personally.

Live2Die

those are different cranks. the rounder ones claim to be 160mm length and the others are 165mm. They are both 110 bcd and I would go with 165 as that is a typical length giving you plenty of clearance on the corners and still a decent gain ratio. But then again I wouldn't get Bulletproof cranks... for a little more money you can get thesehttps://alienbikes.com/gear.html or these https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1627 or thesehttps://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1627 all of those with chainrings and they are in my opinion much nicer cranks and if nothing else much better looking. good luck!

mihlbach

Be careful with really short BMX cranks (130-160mm)..they are intended for kids who race ultralight mini BMX bikes. Mini BMX parts usually have weight limits that are below typical adult weights. The bulletproof 160s might be fine, but they are described as "mini". I would ask about weight limits before buying.

nelzar13

i ride a set of bullet proof 165 on my track bike.....Im like 225 ish thev held up fine little curb jumping and some other little stuff slidding and ll that jazz to..they'v held up for about two years.... thats just me though they seem to work out fine for a cheap start up crank

666pack

i ran 170mm bulletproofs on my old conversion.
worked great, but the cranks are toast. the holes that the chainring holds onto are mad deformed.

mihlbach

I'm always tempted to spring for Bulletproofs for my conversion...they look nice, and would be fine for a cheapo FG/SS but I've read they have a huge Q. Anyone ever measured it?

dobber

I think it's more a matter of the picture. I've had Bulletproofs on the fixed 1x1 for several years now, no complaints. For the money you can't complain.

c0urt

the two cranks that are listed in that universal cycles link have been back ordered for over 6 months now in 1/8th

I have been riding them like a sorority girl for a while now and they have held up. but i do plan on springing for a ulteggra double when money permits

dirtyphotons

never measured, but a lot of people run the chainring on the inside of bulletproofs so they can use a standard 107mm bottom bracket and get a 42ish chainline. this will lead to a higher q factor than if you got a 102/3mm bb and ran the ring on the outside.

i've got mine on the inside and it is a little wider, but not mountain bike wide. i bet with the ring on the outside it'd be comparable to any other road crank.

modestmouse

Thanks for all the responses. I'm definitely going to take a look at the Pake crank because it's in the price range especially with the chainring and bolts added. I couldn't care less that it's 3/32. The others are for sure more than I'd like to spend.

famous amos

You shouldn't rule out older road doubles as far as quality for the money goes. There are tons of late 80s early 90s road doubles that are cheaper than track cranks and just as strong and reliable, if not more. Shimano 105s have always treated me nicely.

modestmouse

Just as an update for anyone else that is crank shopping... I just bought the Pake crank set. I DO NOT recommend buying this crank. I'm pretty pissed at just how low the quality is of it. It has casting marks all over it, an awful polish job, it's hardly concentric (not kidding). It basically looks like ass. Even the cheapest of name brand cranks are going to be better. I'm going to use it for a little while and just throw it in a river when I'm done. AAAGHH!

Also comparing it side by side with a Sugino RD, they don't look anything alike. I don't know why some people are saying they are the same thing. I'd be very careful if you're thinking of buying it for that reason. In addition, the crank is not just a re-badged double. It's actually cast as a triple with the innermost mounting holes undrilled. Also Universal Cycles lists it as being 110 BCD but I took a chainring that is known to be 130 BCD and it bolted up. Both of those things aren't complaints but just some observations I've made.

This is a case where (in my oppinion) you get less than you pay for.

Live2Die

wow that sounds like crap! My roommate has those cranks and I just took a look at them and they are nothing like what you are describing. they have a nice anodization on them with no casting marks I can find. I don't know where you got that they were re-badged RD's I've never heard anyone make that comparison. If I were you i would contact the place you purchased them or pake and ask for a new set cuz that is not at all what the ones that I am familiar with are like. keep us posted!