Broke a crank today......
Today, for the 2nd time in all the years I've been cycling, (23) I had a crank break on me on the road.
I was out of the saddle at the start of a small climb when it went. Luckily I managed wrestle the bike to a halt without coming off, and I looked down expecting to see a a broken chain, but no, it was the crank.
About 3 inches of it with a pedal attached were a few yards back down the road.
It was the right crank of a Shimano Ultegra triple (9 speed splined type), and had probably only done 10-15000 miles, though it was about 4 years old.
I was surprised that it broke in the middle, rather that at one of the ends as I might have expected.
I was out of the saddle at the start of a small climb when it went. Luckily I managed wrestle the bike to a halt without coming off, and I looked down expecting to see a a broken chain, but no, it was the crank.
About 3 inches of it with a pedal attached were a few yards back down the road.
It was the right crank of a Shimano Ultegra triple (9 speed splined type), and had probably only done 10-15000 miles, though it was about 4 years old.
I was surprised that it broke in the middle, rather that at one of the ends as I might have expected.
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Dave
Dave
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A couple of pics....
The metal inside is all very clean and shiny, apart from a couple of areas towards the outer edge, indicating that a small crack may have started there. I certainly hadn't noticed anything though..
Dave0 -
Dave L wrote:Today, for the 2nd time in all the years I've been cycling, (23) I had a crank break on me on the road.
I was out of the saddle at the start of a small climb when it went. Luckily I managed wrestle the bike to a halt without coming off, and I looked down expecting to see a a broken chain, but no, it was the crank.
About 3 inches of it with a pedal attached were a few yards back down the road.
It was the right crank of a Shimano Ultegra triple (9 speed splined type), and had probably only done 10-15000 miles, though it was about 4 years old.
I was surprised that it broke in the middle, rather that at one of the ends as I might have expected.
Wow, you are the man. I've never seen anything like that before. I would be
interested in your training program. Sounds like you've done a great job on your legs.
Dennis Noward0 -
Bet Shimano might be tempted to, shall we say "look kindly on you" to keep that pic off the web !!!!!!!!
Never seen the likes of that before.
Do you really need a triple?
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redddraggon wrote:Partly smooth fracture surface implies that the crank failed through fatigue. How long had you had it? Approx miles done?
Read the OP.0 -
Anton de Lacey wrote:redddraggon wrote:Partly smooth fracture surface implies that the crank failed through fatigue. How long had you had it? Approx miles done?
Read the OP.
Good point, read it a few days ago, never looked at it again. Oops0 -
Just checked my diaries and the cranks were only actually just over 3 years old, and had only done about 8600 miles. (Most of that in the last 2 years)
The bike has never been crashed or dropped, and I'm not some huge sprinter type who destroys equipment on a routine basis..
Dave0 -
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I have some Shimano 600 cranks that are 21 years old....... and my Dura Ace are 16 years old, Deore LX probably 12 years old.....
Never seen that.....you animal ! Grrrrr0 -
I have a couple of Shimano 600 cranksets of a similar vintage that I am still using.fossyant wrote:I have some Shimano 600 cranks that are 21 years old....... and my Dura Ace are 16 years old, Deore LX probably 12 years old.....
Never seen that.....you animal ! Grrrrr
The only other crank that I broke (while riding) was a Stronglight 100 which broke at the pedal hole.
I did also have to retire an old Dura-Ace crank a few years back that had started to crack at the bottom bracket end (square taper type), probably due to over tightening. At least I picked that one up early before it broke.
I'm not really an animal, honest!.
Dave0 -
The old 600 set were reputed to be one of the strongest sets, after the DA of course....0
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the old campag and shimano cranks were solid casting not hollow - heavier but sturdier. Hell the raceface cranks and BB on my MTB are lighter then just the old campag cranks on my vintage Peugot.
Bugle0
