Originally Posted by
Chris_W
I've got a few more details on these cranks from the 2012 Shimano dealer catalogue that I picked up at Eurobike this week. I still can't find a product page for them on Shimano's website, so here's the info:
Weight: 1772 grams inclg. BBs (FSA's SLK tandem cranks are listed as 1787g, Gossamers are 1972g).
Lengths: 170 or 175 for captain and stoker (although the above post suggests that some importers may unfortunately not offer the 170mm captain cranks).
Chainline: Drive-side = 45mm, Non-drive = 49.9mm (FSA uses 53mm on the non-drive side).
Colour: Dark grey like the new 2012 Ultegra group. The styling and finish is just like that of the new Ultegra, but instead of having the Ultegra logo, it just says "Shimano" on each crank.
Chainring BCD: Confrimed as 130mm for non-drive and 130mm for drive-side, with a special middle ring that the inner ring attaches to with a BCD of 92mm.
I hope that many avoid these cranks if they in fact use nonstandard BCDs. Sadly they will most likely find there way into the OEM market and new tandem riders will find themselves with little options when they need or want to change rings.
I will continue to pay more for Davinci cranks that allow for stokers and captains to choose their crank length and BCD. They weigh no more than the proposed tandem crankset and give the option of purchasing bottom brackets that will outlast any FSA or Shimano BB.
The tandem manufacturers do a great job designing tandem frames for stokers in the 5 foot height range but then puts the same 170mm cranks optimized for much taller riders.