Originally Posted by
SkinGriz
Other than changing crank arms and sealed bearings, what is better about more modern cranks?
Sincere question.
They have less friction so they turn easier. They are made with better materials and more precise process, so they last longer.
Seriously, I have overhauled dozens of these where the cups were misaligned, the ball bearings stopped rolling and started dragging, which caused the ball retainers to disintegrate, which caused the balls to gouge new out-of-alignment tracks in the bearing cups. Granted it was a cheap replacement, but there was so much slow, draggy, squeaky, miserable riding just to get there.