I want to replace the slightly mangled dust caps on both of my bikes. Are they pretty much all sized the same, or are there brand / nationality differences that I should be aware of?

As long as not French, all the same thread (obscure Campy disclaimer for LH thread).

The mks caps will fit the campagnolo pedals but they are a little to long. The part that is threaded will stick out a lil creating a gap, and it will not seat properly. you can just cut the threaded part shorter and it will fit right. Did that make sense?

Are you talking Crankset Dust caps or Pedal Dust Caps....makes a bit of difference!

Oh yes, that would make a difference. Crankset dust caps.

Brand and era make a difference.

Many makers matched the Campagnolo choice, (save the mid 80's on self extracting bolts/caps) but I don't think you are inquiring about those.

TA and Stronglight both had unique sizes as did their crank arm removers.

I forget what Nervar used.

There were some variations as to internal profile shape to clear the bolt or spindle/nut.

Personally, I just go the way I did as a young racer copying what the pros did, no dust caps. I do keep them but probably have fewer pairs than I have bikes. I am surprised often at the handsome sums that are paid for some on ebay. $24. for a pair of red plastic Sugino units!?

If the cranks fit a standard Park or Pedro's crank puller, then the dust caps should be interchangeable.

Looks like, according to Sheldon Brown, there are 4.... most cranksets have a 22 mm diameter for the dustcap threads: Older T.A. had 23 mm; and Stronglight, 23.35 mm. (There's one small exception: Early Lambertcranksets were threaded 7/8-inch by 24 threads per inch.)

I'm not ashamed to admit that I once spray painted a black one silver to more closely match its partner when I broke the original.

And I've used galvanized pipe for a seatpost.

....I have overhauled enough bikes with Stronglight and TA cranks with the caps
so firmly corroded into the arms that I have mixed emotions about the originals.

I often as not, on a standard 22mm socket, replace the metal ones with some
plain generic plastic ones that end up in the parts bins at the bike co-op.


For the TA and Stronglights where the caps are either missing or unsalvageable
with appropriate drilling, Freeze off, and cursing, I often use a pair of these things
as replacement crank arm bolts.



On a personal level, I like to have something in there to protect the puller threads.