I find this extraodinary!

Mel-UK

In another thread, I was looking to fix a broken crank (my fault) on my wife’s 2006 Dolce Elite. It’s a triple (50/39/30) with 165mm crank (and it has to be 165mm, because of toe overlap). After an exhaustive search by my local shop (a Specialized dealer), who have been trying hard on my behalf, it turns out to be impossible to replace! Specialized cannot supply the original (a Sugino), and although a Tiagra would be an ideal alternative, Madison (the Shimano importers) say they are unavailable (even though they are listed on the Shimano site). An exhaustive search of the web confirms that a 165mm triple is next to impossible to get hold of! Actually, I have found one by Stronglight (which my bike shop found too) that might be OK, but I have read reports that it does not shift that cleanly (anyone have experience of a Stronglight triple?). However, I find it extraordinary that a damaged part on a popular (and current) bike by a big-name manufacturer cannot be fixed. Can you imagine if car manufacturers were not able to supply spare parts for their cars? Why should bikes be different?

Anybody any ideas? My wife’s stuck with a new-ish bike she can’t use! I’ve suggested a compact double, but not unreasonably, she wants the same setup that she’s used to.

Mel

Steve928

However, I find it extraordinary that a damaged part on a popular (and current) bike by a big-name manufacturer cannot be fixed

I bought my wife a Specialized Dolce Elite recently too - sounds exactly the same with a Sugino Direct Drive external BB chainset. It came with a duff bottom bracket: the installer had broken one of the plastic top hat seals that also form the interface between crank axle and BB bearing, so there was lateral play in the BB.

Specialized couldn't source a replacement Sugino BB either! Luckily the (internet) bike shop found out that a Shimano 105 BB would work and sent me one of those, but it was a full 3 weeks before a brand new Spesh bike could be used. I agree, it does seem rather strange..

mea00csf

Unable to help, but when i had my bikefit i came out as requiring a 165 crank. I was told that from looking at me i was probably only just requiring the 165 crank that the programme suggested but that due to the scarcity i'd be better off trying 170 cranks to see if they felt ok and if they do go for those. seems crazy to me considering the whole push from manufacturers with WSD etc that these smaller components aren't considered part of the standard range, at 5'4" i'm not that tiny to be such a supposedly freaky size!!

Blonde

RE: Stronglight - yes they are not the lightest or prettiest things, but are very good value for money. I had a strong light triple for several years and did several SR series (200, 300, 400, 600km audax events) using it and never had any problems with shifting - using either Shimano STIs or bar end shifters. Just make sure the existing front mech matches the curve of the new chain set- and the set has the same number of teeth etc - if not you can still make it work but you will need to adjust the position of the mech on the down tube to get it spot on.

cougie

You say you've broken the crank ? Drive side or LH ?

Must be drive side I guess or any 165mm crank would do ?

Speak to StJohn Cycles - they specialise in odd bits. They may have something ?

Monty Dog

Spa Cycles in Harrogate have plenty of triple cranks in 165mm listed - some of them Stronglight, which in certain models are re-branded Sugino ones.

avdave

SJS are definately worth contacting, 165 cranks are an option on their bikes. Also do a search for Highpath engineering. They make just about anything you could ever need in terms of cranks. They also have an easy to use calculator for working out recommended crank length.

maddog 2

Thorn do 165mm triples - see SJS

Mrs maddog uses one. It's a 110mm BCD so she runs 26/36/46.

short cranks have always been thin on the ground - just supply and demand.

maddog 2

Mel-UK wrote:

IAn exhaustive search of the web confirms that a 165mm triple is next to impossible to get hold of!

I found this in about a minute

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Thor ... y-1672.htm

cougie

I'm a frickin' geeeenius i tell theee.

And SJS always seem very happy to talk to you about their kit. V knowledgeable.

Mel-UK

Cougie; actually, it’s non-drive side, but only a Sugino crank will fit (or am I wrong). Is it possible to source just a crank from somewhere?

Blonde; what model Stronglight do you have, and is OK for 9-speed.

Others; Yes thanks, I’ve looked at Spa Cycles and SJS and I see options if I build up the chainset myself (i.e. using the Thorn). I’ve no experience of doing this though and worry that I might end up with the wrong sizes, or incompatible parts, but it’s a way out. I guess was hoping for the lazy way out and buying an assembled chainset.

By the way, it’s more that I really want to spend, but I have found that a 52/42/30,165mm Shimano Ultegra Hollowtech chainset is available, but it’s described as 10-speed. Would it work on the Dolce, which is 9-speed?

Thanks again for the useful feedback

Mel

aracer

If you don't mind going back to older, (but arguably more reliable) technology, CRC have an older 165 Tiagra triple to fit on a square taper bottom bracket. Only £35, and a decent BB to go with that (which will probably last a lot longer than the external bearings) is only £14.

Mel-UK

aracer: thanks, this looks promising!

I can do basic bike maintenance, but I’ve never messed with a bottom bracket before. So please permit me some dumb questions:

How easy is this type of bracket to fit?
Are there any sizing issues I need to be aware of?
Do I need special tools to remove the current external bearings?
The old chainset was 50/39/30. Will the front derailleur (Shimano Tiagra) work OK with a 52/42/30?
Will I need spacers to get the correct chain alignment?
Finally, do you think my wife will notice the change in gear ratios?

acorn_user

I would go for a Stronglight Impact triple. It shifts fine. If you really want top notch shifting, you could swap out the chainrings for swankier ones. The finish it lovely. It's basically a Sugino XD, which is another great crank. Another option would be a TA crank. The Alize is gorgeous, and the Vega and Carmina are very flexible.

FYI, the Stronglight rings are fully 9 speed compatible. That's what my wife is running.

The crank you have looks like a direct drive Sugino RD. Nice crank. Why not try using the Shimano bb, or a Stronglight one? (I think Stronglight are using Suginos new Direct Drive BB system too).
http://www.zefal.com/stronglight/page.p ... tivlinktri
http://www.suginoltd.co.jp/directdrive_ ... 0rdxdd%20e

Mel-UK

Acorn - yes, It's a Sugino direct drive.

Thanks for the very useful advice everybody. I now have a few leads to follow. My bike shop can source a Stronglight, so maybe that's the way to go. Also, I can get them to fit it, which is a real bonus.

cheers

Mel

Steve928

BTW Mel, how did you break the crank? Did you over-tighten the 2 pinch bolts?