Email us with your thoughts on the crankset, especially if you have one yourself.

Thanks to reader Chris Cameron, who took these photos of his crankset.

Chris also sent these comments about his impression of the new crankset:

Forgive me Tullio, for I have sinned!

The full weight of Shakespeare's "Parting is such sweet sorrow." revealed its truth to me yesterday. I can't believe I had the mythical unobtanium Record Carbon crankset in my hands a day ago yet today witnessed their return them from whence they came. I was heart-broken when I viewed the carbon's finish but more notably alarmed by the rumors of their potential for failure and questionable quality control. (Anyone who has snapped a crank arm or chain knows not to court a second serving of the full-bici-bodyslam.) The cranks I inspected are by no means worthy of the revered mark of "Campagnolo." Unfortunately it also highlights what an utter dope I am…as I fruitlessly "resisted" their purchase…but forces beyond my control (a defense I'm saving up for the inevitable meeting with my wife's divorce lawyer) made me dispense 800 USD (1,791,250.72 ITL) proving once again vanity has no shame. It wasn't until I read others' concerns at www.campyonly.com  that a very rare guest appearance by Common Sense overruled my loyalty to all-things-Vicenza.

My friendly local dealer called Campagnolo USA to find out why there was such a disparity in finish with the Record Carbon crank and their lust-worthy Record Carbon siblings. Campagnolo USA responded the resin needed to be different from the other Record Carbon components; evidently the torque placed on the cranks requires a more "elastic" resin-type to keep the surface from cracking…hence their "different finish characteristics." They also commented the arms' "flashing" (the excess material that seeps from where the mold's halves meet creating a seam) was not smoothed out as it is part of their structural integrity. Additionally, the Campagnolo arms do not have the aid of an internal-alloy-skeleton-construction like some of the other manufacturers; this may limit Campagnolo's ability to produce a glossy surface like FSA, and others. When compared to Record Carbon's relatively static siblings evidenced in the brake levers, seat posts, and derailleur parallelogram, the finish is dull, uneven, and saddled with a grungy, pitted surface. Even the silk-screened "Record" on the arms was water-color-thin and poorly applied. They looked "totally garage". ("Tutto dilettante"?)

I should also note a serial number is applied to the back of both arms. The numbers on mine did not match. My shop wasn't sure if the numbers were intended to be mates, but manufacturing experience tells me they usually are.

Needless to say, I was a little nervous about mounting the cranks on my new De Rosa King and worrying about "the boys" taking impromptu batting practice with Ugo's carbon fiber Milanoville Slugger should they fail under load. As much as it pains me to say I won't get the (some say "hollow") satisfaction of Full-Wanker-Boy-coffee-shop-poser upgrade and vapidly saying things like, "Oh, those old things?"…and hope 2003 brings a better execution. 

(I should note that my photos would lead you to believe I am Leona Helmsly's personal photographer after my cosmetic criticisms. Believe me, the cranks look a lot better in my photos than in the flesh. Note the area on the drive-side crank above the bottom bracket bolt hole to see an example of the "Apian Way Acne…Roman Road Rash…")

Dejectedly yours,
Chris
Redmond, WA" 

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