I'm not advocating a return to cottered cranks, but this post greatly exaggerates the "problems". I think it's more the result of unfamiliarity, than a legitimate technical issue. As I think back on it, I'm reminded that they probably create fewer problems than their cotterless replacements. How many cottered cranks ever needed replacement because the spindle interface (taper or spline) got distorted, and they couldn't be tightened anymore.

Back when I started in retail we sold thousands of cotter crank bikes. Unless someone took them apart we never saw any come back with loose crank issues. Ask any dealer how often he sees crank issues now.

I'm not being a retro grouch, and readily admit that we're enjoying lighter crank/BB systems today, but on my opinion, the anti-cotter posts like this one are uncalled for