Make/model of this crank?
08-20-24 | 08:31 PM
#5
Tinker-er
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,607
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From: Mid-Atlantic
Bikes: 1956 Rudge; 1981 Miyata; 1994 Breezer; 1987 Raleigh Mtn Trials; 1952 R.O. Harrison; 1994 Concorde; 1949 Rotrax; 1964 A.S. Gillott; Early 60s Frejus; ~1979 RRB track; Unknown Interwar track
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
Phil
08-21-24 | 04:54 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
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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.....
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.....
Last edited by Chombi1; 08-21-24 at 04:59 AM.
08-21-24 | 08:18 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Central Florida, USA
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (7); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Trek (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Quintana Roo (1)
Often seen in 1996 in triathlons -- Topline cranks with Speedplay pedals. A fast and lightweight combination that just looks right.
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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May, Jul, Aug, Oct, 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Dec 1985; Apr 1994; May, Jun 1996; May 1997.
WTB: bicyclist May, Dec 1997: Jun-Dec 1998.
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Litespeed head badge (circa 2000)
08-21-24 | 01:28 PM
#8
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
08-21-24 | 05:48 PM
#9
Groupetto Dragon-Ass
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 1,584
From: Lostin Austin, TX
