Alright, so I'm in a bind. I have been very slowly building up my old Raleigh frame to a SS/FG. Just got a Campy BB, and need a crankset desparetely. But, at a bike swap the other day the owner of my LBS was selling some Campy crank arms for $40. They are chrome, and won't work on my Raleigh, but will DEFINITELY be perfect for a future vintage build I want to do.

Anyway, that's what I'm having trouble with, get a crankset I can use now, or get one I know will be perfect for a future build later. I feel like I would never be able to get a deal on campy arms like that again, but could be wrong. What would you do!? Just need someone to kick my butt and tell me what to do haha. Thanks guys.

Why wouldn't they work on the Raleigh?

im guessing because they are chrome. but yeah. doesn't chrome kinda go with most stuff?

$40 isn't a huge investment. Do you have a tight wallet atm? Do you have a need for a working bike right now?

Yeah I have already bought all black everything else basically for my Raleigh, so that's really the only reason. And definitely need a working bike, that's how I get around. Money is a little tight, but maybe I should just spring for it. Basically I guess what I want to know is if its as good a deal as I think it is? And if its worth putting my current build on hold for a couple weeks lol.

Are they track cranks?

THAT is the one thing I am not sure of, and could be a deal breaker. Because there are only certain BCD chain rings for track cranks correct?

If you need a working bike and this unfinished build is your only bike I would prioritize getting it in working condition. Do you have any info on the crank arms?

No worries. If you run 1/8" chain you can mix 'n' match 1/8" and 3/32" cogs and chainrings.

Depending on what they are, 40 bucks may not even be that great of a deal. But then again, I know Redding's bike market isn't too fantastic.

The only thing I know about them is that they are chrome, campy and $40, won't know anymore till I talk to him about them. Which I think I will do tomorrow, with money in hand just in case. If I get them, I will post pictures of course.

nagrom - yeah the Redding area has nothing from what I've seen for vintage bike parts, which is a real disappointment as I love vintage bikes. The fact that I even saw campy stuff here was a miracle, I did buy a campy BB from the same guy for $10, can't wait to try it.

144 is the standard BCD for track cranks, but I know some older Campy models used oddball sizes like 151.

What is the difference between:

What would you do?

and

Should I?

And by the way, WTF is a chrome campy crank?

If there are tabs on the back of the spider for installing an inner chainring, it's obviously not a track crank.

I still don't understand why you wouldn't just use them on your Raleigh, even if it's just until you get something else.

well, theyre chrome you see,

Scrod, chrome on black just does not work.

Dude man up and put them on your bike until you get omniums or something.

If that is you answer I wasn't asking you.

I think silver or polished aluminum is the preferred nomenclature.

Haha wow hadn't even thought if that, good idea.

And yeah a chrome campy crank is a crankset, brand campagnolo, of the chrome color option...

Is it a 1965 Sports? If it is or anything resembling one then you need to put the Campagnolo cranks on it before you do anything else in life. Then take pics and post here immediately.

Chrome is not a color. Chrome is a surface finishing option.

A lot of older road cranks are also 144bcd with 42/52 rings. 151bcd is really old

sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html

At any rate, if you can find a better crankset for your bike at $40, I'll be surprised.

Ah I wish, just a Raleigh Super Record.

And I agree that $40 won't get me much better, so I think I will see if it will fit and work and all that good stuff, and get it. Thanks for the help and ideas.

I guess Campagnolo did make some chromed cotterless cranks...