I'm thinking of picking up a set of Super Record cranks to replace the Mavic pista crank on my bike, simply because all of the other bits are Campy. I'll probably file down the inner ring steps on the spider just because.

I'm wondering will I regret changing my Mavic cranks out for the Campy ones. I've heard of cracking, etc. Can anyone with Campy crank experience chime in as to how they feel, etc.

Here is a pic of the crankset I'm looking to pick up for $100:

Thanks

I've seen pictures of broken ones, but I've been riding them since '72 without experiencing any problems...

Thanks. Anyone have any experience with Mavic cranks?

They are great cranks but they can develop hairline cracks and then break completely. There is a common fix if they have not already started to crack. At the arm on both sides where it transitions to the spider the edge is very sharp and acts as a stress riser. You can use a narrow round file and round out that area and it will prevent cracking. I have even seen cranks that do have fine hairline cracks there saved by filing past them and making the profile rounder.

The Mavic cranks are nice but are in fact a copy of the Campagnolo cranks and were not made by Mavic but for them (by Gipiemme if I remember correctly).

Thanks vjp, that's pretty much the info I found after doing some additional searching.

Here's a pic of my Mavic cranks for reference, I can't find any info on them, though I have seen the fluted version I think you referenced:



They only have a provision for a single chainring & are really nice. Don't mind the dust cap. That's a Campy 50t chainring, I think they're 144bcd. The bolts are Gipiemme.

The Mavic's you have are pretty nice and I do not really see a point in replacing them.

I'm assuming you are looking a 170mm Campy Strada's because you do not want to spend the money for 165 Pista's? I think the only advantage would be if you use a Pista (1/8th) or Nuovo Record (3/32) chain-ring with the lower webbing. These are and stronger and straighter than the Super Record type rings, and work better for a fixed gear.

As for breaking, it happens. But when you are filing off the inner ring mounts, go one step further and file smooth all the sharp edges and radius on the the spider. This will go a long way in preventing cracks starting.

I've run Campy Strada cranks converted like this on my FG's which see lots of Winter miles and I've never had a problem with cracking or breaking.

Cracks typically develop (if they develop) where material has an edge, scratch, or sudden section change. Your Mavic's look smoother and more consistent in shape than the Campy NR or SR crank arms. Given that the "beefiness" (cross-sections and alloy strength) are the same as for a Campy NR or SR design, I'd think you have less tendency for fatigue failures than with the Campy designs.

Road Fan

Just what I needed to hear. Something about the allure of the Campy crankset. Otis I do want 170s but do not want to shell out $300+ for pistas.

The Mavics are really nice but I thought since all my other parts are Campy I might as well.

I have a set of the Mavic Super Record copies, I think they are "SSC"? Anyway, they are beautiful cranks, would not consider campy any better.

Leave the Mavic's on, the pedals are MKS, so why fret?

I have cracked one left early 1990s Campag. Veloce crank at the spindle eye.

Even if you file off the inner land for the small chainring, the crank will still say strada, and not pista, on the inside. If the land bothers you the stamping will, too. Maybe someday you'll want to sell 'em and they'll sell better if you don't make 'em look like pistas.

Picked up the Campy set, there's really nothing special about them over the Mavics so I'm going to sell them. Thanks all for your comments/suggestions.

I have a set of Mavic cranks where teh left crank has a crack emanating from the spindle hole. Has been for years but I continue to ride it. On all the over 100 Campagnolo equipped bikes that I own or have owned, I have never had one show a crack.

YMMV

In order for the inner lands to clear my chainstay I would have had to file them off and then it would still have been a tight squeeze, and this is with the Campy bb. I decided to just throw them on eBay & they were sold in a few hours.

Thanks.

Does anyone use thin copper washers between the pedal spindle and the crank? Jobst Brandt has written (I think) that it can help prevent fretting and consequent cracking out through the spindle hole. But Campagnolo says not to put anything between pedal and crank because the forces will then not be distributed properly. I've used washers for over 20 years on all our singles and tandems and have never cracked a crank ("hard" but strictly non-competitive riding) but I don't know whether this is because of the washers or in spite of them. Sort of like throwing salt over your shoulder to keep away the rabid elephants?

(I have the tingling sense that this could start or rekindle a flame war, so please be gentle!)

Probably not a bad idea to use a thin washer. I was impressed how nasty the crank surface was on my campy cranks when I recently replaced the pedals.

i wouldnt "swap out" those Mavics you have for the campagnolo super Records .
T

I'm not, thanks to this thread & actually holding Campy cranks in my hands. I will change out the chainring tho (bought the one on the top right) which should make me happy



Fortunately, it wasn't $100 out the window as the Campy cranks sold on eBay within a couple of hours.