For the bottom line of cranks, I find these Shimano steel/aluminum interesting. Amazing when one thinks about it. The steel stampings and ramps, the perfect cut notches and then how they fasten it all together. Considered low end of course but the assembly weight isn't too far from full alloy triples.


This was on a 1993 Schwinn ATB I recently picked up from Goodwill ($6.99 - for the entire bike).