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Small common parts that seem to be way overpriced

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Small common parts that seem to be way overpriced

Old 03-09-22, 10:02 AM
  #51  
wrk101
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Crank arm dust caps aren't as common as some think. At least half the vintage bikes I find are missing both dust caps, a quarter are missing.

I continue to find all my dust caps in the form of a complete bike (on the quarter that have both). Picked up a trash bike yesterday: good thumb shifters, decent Sakae crankset, and BOTH dust caps. The rest goes to the co op.

Some eBay sellers take advantage of this (one comes to mind), that part out crank sets. Dust caps auction #1. Chainring bolts, auction #2, chain rings: auctions #3, #4, and perhaps #5 (if it is a triple), crank arms auction #7.

One guy in particular will sell dust caps for about what you can buy a complete crankset with (including caps). They sucker buyers who do a search for dust cap rather than crankset.
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Old 03-09-22, 10:04 AM
  #52  
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In praise of crank dust caps.
A few years ago at the Burning Man event at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada I was riding my trusty Trek 800 Antelope around out in the deep Playa at night when I noticed my left crank arm was loose. A few seconds later the sucker fell off completely. I knew I was screwed if I couldn't find the crank spindle bolt so I spent the next 10 minutes looking around where I had stopped hoping to find it to no avail. I had to try and pedal with only the right pedal then using my feet to push and glide the half mile back to my camp. The next morning I was bummed out thinking I would spend the rest of the week walking. I reached into the saddle bag where I had thrown the crank arm and Eureka! There was the cap still in place and behind it my precious spindle nut. 10 minutes later I was back on the road, mobile again.
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Old 03-09-22, 01:24 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by Drillium Dude View Post
A pair of these currently cost $12 on ebay - all the way from Serbia:



I purchased mine for $10 from the same seller - but that was a month ago. Inflation, don't you know. Problem is, I still haven't received them in the mailbox!

My adjusting screws look naked without them. A complete pair of adjusters runs around $35-40 shipped, so this is my least-expensive option. Plus brass will look a little more bling than chrome

When they finally arrive, I'm gonna JB Weld them to the adjuster screws; I am tired of losing these things.

DD
Brass looks nice, but if you can abide chrome VO sells these pretty cheap.
https://velo-orange.com/collections/...justment-screw
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Old 03-09-22, 01:56 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by dweenk View Post
Brass looks nice, but if you can abide chrome VO sells these pretty cheap.
https://velo-orange.com/collections/...justment-screw
"Sold Out"

My issue is that only the knurled ends are missing (and the only bits that usually go missing), so buying a complete pair wasn't a consideration for me.

DD
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Old 03-09-22, 01:57 PM
  #55  
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Crank bolt dust caps on Campagnolo Nuovo Record cranks are period-incorrect.

Period.

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Old 03-09-22, 03:29 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by Fredo76 View Post
Crank bolt dust caps on Campagnolo Nuovo Record cranks are period-incorrect.

Period.

this catalog page disagrees


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Old 03-09-22, 05:23 PM
  #57  
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Campagnolo Record/SR brake lever gum hoodsCampagnolo brake cable guidesrear center pull brake cable hangers for Cinelli B and SC
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Old 03-09-22, 08:33 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by C9H13N View Post
this catalog page disagrees


Yes, but period-correct placement is in the bottom of the tool box, back at the shop.

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Old 03-09-22, 10:37 PM
  #59  
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Crankset dust caps elimination was a standard part of our "gram strategy" whenever we bought new bikes.
Unfortunately, they all went in the trash, along with tire valve caps, dork discs and CPSC mandated reflectors......
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Old 03-09-22, 11:14 PM
  #60  
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Woo-hoo - they've arrived



DD
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Old 03-10-22, 01:31 AM
  #61  
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^I bought a pair of those, too. Weeks went by and I forgot I'd ordered them. It was a pleasant surprise when I opened the envelope.

Recent sticker shock:
Sets of chainring bolts
Cable clamps (noted above), especially for French/metric tubing
T.A. bottle cages
replacement derailleur pulleys
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Old 03-10-22, 02:48 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by wrk101 View Post
One guy in particular will sell dust caps for about what you can buy a complete crankset with (including caps). They sucker buyers who do a search for dust cap rather than crankset.
I went to a swap meet for a set of Campy, any Campy. $40. I kept looking; bought a 6-pack of the modern integrated bolt/cap/seal versions for $10
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Old 03-10-22, 02:49 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by martl View Post
Campagnolo Record/SR brake lever gum hoodsCampagnolo brake cable guidesrear center pull brake cable hangers for Cinelli B and SC
Ergo I hoods.
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