Forza Italia: Campagnolo Record Alloy Crankset

My neo-traditionalist inclination will be highly influental on what this bike will eventually come to be. When deciding on a crank there were a couple of important considerations. Firstly, aesthetics. The current productions of cranks are predominantly carbon...and black. The material takes off a significant number of grams, but they all look so chunky, dense and hi-tech fanboyesque. So many components these days are black. Cranks, stems, seatposts, rims, forks, handlebars. Black, black, black, black, black. One thing I love about the classic bikes is all the shiny alloy and chrome parts. Carbon fiber is excellent for a lightweight rig, but in appearance it just doesn't compare. When it comes to cranks, carbon is quite pricey as well. A fact which makes for perhaps the ultimate deal breaker. Even if carbon cranks were as affordable as alloy, I'm still not sure if I would go with them. That's how devisive the issue of black vs. metallic is with me.

On the subject of tradition Campagnolo is THE one, the component of champions for decades. And in the aesthetics department the tried and true Record crank is as smooth as they get. The design is sleek. The transition from crankarm to spider is so elegant and natural, it epitomizes my idea brilliant simplicity. In comparison, today's Shimano alloy cranks look like alien space saucers turned on their side. The detailing is Large. I'm guessing the robust Shimano design with its extra surface area is intended to be aerodynamic. If this the case, I question the amount drag reduction and its significance in my application as a recreational rider. I'm not doing any time trialing with this bike. The FSA alloy crank is guess what? Black. Specialties TA makes a nice Shimano compatible alloy crank in the same traditional fashion as Campagnolo, but it is more in price by at least a hundred dollars. This new Campagnolo Record crank I found on eBay for a song fits my ideal. Therefore I am very happy. I didn't go into this process committed to Campagnolo, but came to realize that it was the likely choice.

Another decisive factor was the consideration of what rear hub I am planning to use. I really like the Chris King Classic hub. Really like it. The circumstance one finds with this hub though is it is Shimano compatible only. That would count out a legendary Campagnolo drivetrain. Unless...I want to use a conversion cassette like the one made by American Classic. Or even a Shimano cassette with a Campagnolo crank which may seem like a crazy notion, but I've been told by a handful of riders that they have run this setup with seldom a hitch. Although I don't want to run the risk of encountering a hitch, however slight it may be. An attractive feature about Chris King is the variety of colors. Not just black or chrome, but a small rainbow to choose from. I think a set of pink hubs would look pretty sweet. Throw in a pink headset and the bike has an understated splash of color. Chris King hubs are just about some of the most expensive though. It's hard to justify forking over the extra hundred or more when there are more affordable high quality alternatives. So, the choice was made to unfortunately pass on Chris King and eventually get that beautiful Record crank.