I'm going to start a high end build (pics to follow) and wanted to know if anyone had information on high-end aftermarket cranks that were available between, let's say 1988 and 1992.
I want to use a Shimano drivetrain, but it seems that in these years the choice was limited to the Dura Ace line, which I'm not really a fan of due to compatibility issues. That leaves the 600, which is ok but I was looking for something a little higher end. Just trying to keep the build as close to period correct as possible... and I really don't want to go Campagnolo because all my other bikes are Shimano. Any ideas on really nice aftermarket cranks from that time period?

I'm not sure I understand the problem. I can't think of anything with which a late 80's DA crank would not be compatible, that the 600 would be compatible with.

For a crank, I don't know if you will have any real adverse issues with using DA... the only compatability issue I am aware of were with cable pull on the rear derailleur, impacting indexed shifting.

However, if you are saying you are boycotting DA on principle, please don't let me get in your way...

However, Shimano 600 in 1989-1990 was a nice looking crank, and I expect mine to ride well when I ride the bike I have equipped with those cranks.

I'm a bug fan of the Mavic stuff. The 631 crank AND derailleurs (840/1 rear and 860/2 front) will all work great with non-DA stuff. I use them with 9 speed Shimano indexed downtube shifters and cassette, no problems. Little heavy, but attractive imo.

In the early 90s there were a few, or a lot, small high-end producers, like Topline, Cook Bros and TNT. They all have disappeared. I still very much like, no love, my Topline (Shimano compatible) cranks, CNC-ed, and lighter than most carbon cranks. All these small-time brands are very difficult to find now.

HA-ha! That's a good one.
I'm sure the 600's are really nice cranks. But that's like saying Ultegra.
Now, Ultegra is awesome, but it's not awesome enough for this bike. I want something higher end.
I should clarify about not going with DA: The rear end will probably be something 8/9/10 speed. Yet, I still want to use DT shifters. I didn't want to use a vintage DA crank with newer tidbits in the rear, so I was looking for a period correct aftermarket crank that would not be specific to a particular gruppo. Leaving me to do what I want with the rear. Did I just confusr you guys more?

Are those the starfish cranks?

not a fan of Cook bros, I think that's more like early 80's? Got any pics of your Toplines?

Yep, they are. They were intro'd in 1988 or 89 (my catalogs are at home...but its around then) and continued through the end of Mavic's component business. One of the things thats particularly cool is you can convert them to single speed by removing the bolt-in ring mount things, and with an additional piece (albeit a hard to find one) convert them to triples.

In the words of Homer Simpson: Mmmmm.... Starfish cranks.... aaagggghhhhh

I could not more highly recommend SunTour components.

Superbe Pro
Sprint
Cyclone

Any of those three are very high quality. They can be readily found on ebay if you are patient. If you are interested in indexed shifting you will need Suntour Accushift compatible parts. PM me if you want more details.

Here you go: https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...ranks.jpg.html

Bought them in 95, so that's definitely early 90s!

I know about the rumoured problems with cook cranks and even Topline, but mine have served me well for over 10 years now. Tune, of Germany, copied and improved on the Cook design. I believe they call their cranks 'BigFoot'. Some googling will turn them up.

Here you go (again): https://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=8

Another good crankset sold during that time were Specialized cranks. Roger

Yeah, I am still confused. I am using a Dura Ace 7402 crankset (with the original rings) with 9 speed Dura Ace casette and 9 speed front and rear derailleur. I am using friction Suntour Superbe downtube shifters.

What bike is this going on? What length of crankset is your preference? Do you want a compact crankset?

If you want the highest quality and your bike is non group specific I wouldn't rule out DA. I also wouldn't be set on the 80's either. Dura Ace can be found very easily and excellent values can be had in cranksets from the 90s and 80s.

Superbe is awesome but is rarer and you can almost forget finding 175s or 180s. In over two years of looking on ebay I have only seen one 175 and no 180s. Cyclone I guess is the same as Superbe but without the polish. Older Cyclone and Superbe come with 144 BCD while the more recent are 130 BCD.

There also some excellent Sugino cranksets. Ofmega and Stronglight are also top of the line.

If you want a compact crankset Sugino has a 110 BCD double and Campy Triomphe comes in 110 BCD.

If you don't care about a specific group and don't need the logo buy a beat up DA, Superbe, or Cyclone. They can be had for a song on ebay. Sand out the scratches, polish to mirror finish and then buy new modern chainrings with the money you saved.

Thanks for the responses.... ok, I'll try to be a little more clear:
I'm not against DA, I currently have a DA7700 crank on my Schwinn Peloton. My problem is that the 7700 is too new (intro 1996) and not period correct... wheras the DA7400 is too old (yr.1984 intro). So, I'm looking for something that is circa 1990 (when the frame was made). Looking for 172.5 but would entertain 175's. I'm not picky about 110 or 130 BCD, because I'll probably end up running compact chainrings, but compact chainrings are readily available in 130 and I like the overall look of 130 cranks because the stems are not as chunky... they're thinner and farther apart. So my 1st pick would be 130BCD. Campy is out of the question because I'll most likely be running 10spd DA downtube shifters with 10speed Shimano cassette in the back. Open pro 32h would be my wheel of choice. I know what you're thinking... why go with a vintage crank and new drivetrain parts? Because I want it to look period correct at first glance. BTW... those Bigfoots look beautiful.

OK, if what I've learned in catching up all those years while working on doing my Rossin all 7400, if you want circa 1990, wouldn't that be Dura Ace 7410 (8 speed)? Looks like decent stuff, would have picked up a crank a while back except that after the last six months of digging up parts, I decided I'm doing all 7400. Period.

Almost there, just need the crank arms and sprockets to finish it.