Rusty- I’ve gone generic/sub-$200 enough times that I’ve learned my lesson. My multiple unbrandeds, my somas, and now my IRD’s have all bent way more after small single tumbles than my ‘84 SR “Signature”’s did in the rather big wreck + a ton of small prior tumbles. Plus, all of the cheapos had significant heel-wear after under 1k miles whereas the SR’s have over 30k and only light surface marks. The heel-wear on the IRD Campy lookalikes is embarrassing- I’m glad that I bent them this summer and so so sad that I spent more than $40 on them.



Also done with used gear. Completely done. I’m not spending over $0.30 on cranks whose crash history is unknown. I’m not 20 anymore and snapping a used crank wouldn’t be a tenth as funny as it used to be (“whoah check out how strongs I is! Yeah, it probably had a hairline fracture before I bolted it on.”)



I have already spent at least $2k on cranks alone in the last decade (forget about all of the wheelsets, framesets, saddles, bars... Jesus, I’ve probably put in enough cash in this hobby/MoT in the last 20 years that, had I saved it, I could be buying a spanking new BMW M2 or a used 991 with cash), $300 more ain’t gonna hurt.





Regarding shims vs staggered cranks, as mentioned in the OP, I discussed this with an Orthopedic Surgeon of 20 years and a sports Physical Therapist of 15 years. Both agreed that 1) shimming/stacking insoles would only be worthwhile if it were a t/fibia difference 2) 165+175 is better than 165+165 or 175+175, and 165+172.5/167.5+175 is best- as mentioned- due to rotational diameter.



Because of the tendency of most LBS’ distributors to only stock some sizes/drillings/etc., I assume I’m not going to be able to get 167.5s and Person with a Long Right Leg won’t be able to get 172.5s, I’m in a temporary theoretical compromise of 165&170/175 until I chat with my LBS guy.



I am going to fire off an email to Sugino to see if they can be of any assistance, but since RG won’t despite appearing to physically be able to, I’m really not going to bother to cross my fingers on that.