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-   -   Make/model of this crank? (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1299090-make-model-crank.html)

abdon 08-20-24 08:00 PM

Make/model of this crank?
 
Came in a bike I just picked up. It has no markings and Shimano rings.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...89ea1aae16.jpg



easyupbug 08-20-24 08:03 PM

Anything on the inside of the arms, there should be.

noobinsf 08-20-24 08:05 PM

I've seen this question enough to know that it's a Topline.

abdon 08-20-24 08:17 PM

I never noticed this brand before. Then again I'm into older bikes

PhilFo 08-20-24 08:31 PM

Are the cranks cracked at the pedal threads? These were beautiful cranks but the cracks started appearing while they were still in production. I almost got a set back in the mid 90s but a fellow mechanic had the crack problem so I chose a Kooka instead. A decade later I wound up getting a set of Toplines attached to a frameset I was buying then immediately gave them away.
Phil

Chombi1 08-21-24 04:54 AM

The Toplines look lovely in a very classic way, despite their late 80's /early 90's vintage. They look like the product of the 60's and 70's. For a 90's crankset, it's a bit odd, having a swaged connection between the drive crank arm and the spider, instead of bring forged as one piece. Maybe hecause they wanted to stay with a CNC'd spider. There are also no lands machined at the ends of the spider arms for an inner chainring, even though it was sold as a double crankset. The pedal holes are threaded blind holes (they do no go completely through); so you will have to use pedals with flats on it's spindle. So most modern pedals like Looks won't work.
I have an NOS set of the Topline crankset and I still haven't decided on what bike to put it on. I'm leaning towards installing it on my Davidson Signature, (So I will have an American crankset on an American bike,) to replace the Super Record crankset on it, but I'm not sure if it would work on the Record BB on the bike, as I think the Topline has JIS spec tapers.....
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6e14dfb0dd.jpg

SpeedofLite 08-21-24 08:18 AM

Often seen in 1996 in triathlons -- Topline cranks with Speedplay pedals. A fast and lightweight combination that just looks right.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3fb60bd41.jpg



unworthy1 08-21-24 01:28 PM


Originally Posted by Chombi1 (Post 23328105)
...it's a bit odd, having a swaged connection between the drive crank arm and the spider, instead of bring forged as one piece. Maybe hecause they wanted to stay with a CNC'd spider.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6e14dfb0dd.jpg

AFAIK the connection between DS arm and CNC'd spider is not swaged but actually threaded together (for ease of removal but something that needs to be looked after to ensure it stays tight) and secured with a press-fit stainless steel pin. IMO some LocTite is called for with both threads and pin

Chuckk 08-21-24 05:48 PM


Originally Posted by SpeedofLite (Post 23328242)
Often seen in 1996 in triathlons -- Topline cranks with Speedplay pedals. A fast and lightweight combination that just looks right.

The Tri-Guys really liked cool stuff. I need to put Speedplays on it now!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2677421bd.jpg


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