Need help with info on this Campy Crank

[RkyMtn]

I believe this is a Chorus crank.

I would be very grateful if everyone could help me find out the following:

What model year is this crank:
What BB length is required. It is not 102mm, I'm thinking 111?:
Does Campy have a proprietary taper on their BB or can I use any square taper BB?:
What are the specs for the chainrings:
Would this work with a 6-7-8 speed chain?:

Thanks!

[pbarry]

That looks like early 1990's original Chorus, ISO taper, (don't use JIS taper, e.g. Shimano), not sure on the axle dimensions. Cheers

[RkyMtn]

That looks like early 1990's original Chorus, ISO taper, (don't use JIS taper, e.g. Shimano), not sure on the axle dimensions. Cheers

Thanks. Guess where I found this, pbarry? (LOL)

[Liberace]

8 or 9 speed Athena crankset

[zmudshark]

Thing is, Chorus and Athena use a different BB. The difference in the cranks is subtle. I wouldn't try to guess.

[pbarry]

8 or 9 speed Athena crankset

Of course, you're right! Forgot about Athena and just checked my Chorus--Athena has a chunkier end, with that flat area just up from the pedal threads.

[choke]

I'd go with Athena too. I'm pretty sure Chorus of that era had the self-extracting bolts. IIRC both took a 111mm BB.

The chainrings have a 135mm bolt circle.

[oliver1850]

If the dust caps are original it's Athena.

In 1991, Chorus had a different dust cap with a (6 mm ?) hex in the middle. I assume the puller threads were RH on those. By 1993 Chorus had the self extracting bolts. I assume the threads in the arms were LH, as Record was, but I haven't owned a Chorus.

Athena had the shield on the caps with pin spanner holes from at least 1991 -1993. I can check 1989 -1990 if you want.

1993 Athena used a 111 mm BB. I'd guess the older ones were the same, but the catalog doesn't say. 'Tater will know.

[Ralph]

Like above said. 111 symetrical ISO spindle. And there were some caged ball and cup BB's in those days that size. They would work fine also. 135 BCD chainrings. Plenty of 8 and 9 speed rings for it on E Bay. Aftermarket 135's also.

[RkyMtn]

In the pics, what does the 'AS' mark on the chainrings mean?

Also, does the little box with the number on the back of the crank specify the crank model? The first number is a 4 and the second could be a 1 ([41])

[oliver1850]

The little box is a date code, but I don't know the code.

I thought when I looked at the pic that you had the shield dust cap, but on 2nd look I think it has the hex in the middle which would be early Chorus.

[RkyMtn]

The crank has a hex bolt dust cap with a socket bolt underneath.

[RkyMtn]

If I end up using this, I will be using it with a 6-7-8 speed chain. Will this crank and rings work with that size of chain?

[thirdgenbird]

If I end up using this, I will be using it with a 6-7-8 speed chain. Will this crank and rings work with that size of chain?

Perfectly.

[choke]

I thought when I looked at the pic that you had the shield dust cap, but on 2nd look I think it has the hex in the middle which would be early Chorus.Or 1994 Athena, which the catalog shows with that cap. I purchased an Athena crank new in what seems to me was '93 but could have been '94 and it came with a hex dust cap.

[oldpotatoe]

Thing is, Chorus and Athena use a different BB. The difference in the cranks is subtle. I wouldn't try to guess.

Early Athena, 8s(not 9s, that was 1997 and had 'Campagnolo' on the arms), 111mm symmetrical ISO BB. Chorus and Athena of the day(1985-1994) used the same BB dimensions.

[thirdgenbird]

Early Athena, 8s(not 9s, that was 1997 and had 'Campagnolo' on the arms), 111mm symmetrical ISO BB. Chorus and Athena of the day(1985-1994) used the same BB dimensions.

As did record correct?

In 1995 chorus and record switched to the "low profile" 102 bottom bracket and everything (double) else stayed at 111mm till external bearings.

One exception seems to be record 180mm arms. For a time, these must have kept the old c-record design and bb after the newer 102 stuff was released. I have no idea how long this went on, but I have seen two sets of c-record style cranksets (complete with self extracting bolt) that use the 1995+ record branding. I own one set:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/tommasini/DSC01050.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

As did record correct?

In 1995 chorus and record switched to the "low profile" 102 bottom bracket and everything (double) else stayed at 111mm till external bearings.

One exception seems to be record 180mm arms. For a time, these must have kept the old c-record design and bb after the newer 102 stuff was released. I have no idea how long this went on, but I have seen two sets of c-record style cranksets (complete with self extracting bolt) that use the 1995+ record branding. I own one set:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/tommasini/DSC01050.jpg

That is correct.

As is the 180 cranks, after 1995, using a 111mm BB and older style C Record, higher profile crank. Think until about 1997 and 9s.

[thirdgenbird]

That is correct.

As is the 180 cranks, after 1995, using a 111mm BB and older style C Record, higher profile crank. Think until about 1997 and 9s.

Wow, thanks!

I wouldn't have guessed it that long. Several people have been confused when the see my crankset. The 10spd rings don't help. I plan to also run the newer style crank bolts. (I have a LH extractor)

[oliver1850]

Or 1994 Athena, which the catalog shows with that cap. I purchased an Athena crank new in what seems to me was '93 but could have been '94 and it came with a hex dust cap.

Catalog shows 1991-1993 Athena with the shield. 1994 Athena had the retaining bolt head exposed - this is not a dust cap. Pic is from 1994 catalog.

[oliver1850]

Athena - 1991 catalog pic and one I have here loose. I believe same from 1988 - 1993 model years.

[oliver1850]

Chorus - from 1991 catalog and one with graphite finish on my Colorado. Graphite only available on Chorus and Athena in 1991. Polished version appears to be the same from 1988 - 1991 model years. 1992 - 1994 loses the round lip around the center, and has self extracting bolts.

[oliver1850]

Record, 1988 -1994, on my Colorado II. Earlier C - Record has engraved logo that's closer to the crank center. This one's logo is worn off, but it was located about the same distance from the center as Chorus and Athena, the bottom of the shield near the middle of the working part of a 52 ring.

[john903]

All I can say is WOW, Campagnolo "made" past tense some beautiful bike parts. The pre black era (07-13?) groups are true Italian artisian craftsmanship in all the details and polishing and attention to detail. Lets just say iam never selling my 2000 Chorus 10 group. Ok the Athena 11speed silver is "ok" but nothing in looks compared to the older stuff.

thirdgenbird: Can we have a picture of the frame that crank is attached to it looks beautiful as well?

Have a great day.

[choke]

Catalog shows 1991-1993 Athena with the shield. 1994 Athena had the retaining bolt head exposed - this is not a dust cap. Pic is from 1994 catalog.I agree that does look like the bolt rather than a dust cap. I do know that my Athena crank came with a hex cap rather than a pin spanner one....maybe a running change part way through the model year...

[oliver1850]

Maybe it was Chorus in an Athena box.

[oliver1850]

.

[thirdgenbird]

thirdgenbird: Can we have a picture of the frame that crank is attached to it looks beautiful as well?

Have a great day.

I can't turn down that type of request :) the frame is a 1996 ELOS tecno.

Like you, I wanted to keep the vintage look of early 90s campy but wanted to keep to somewhat modern. I debated Athena but scrapped the plan I favor of modding earlier stuff to 10spd. On paper the build is a hodge podge, but it performs great.

This isn't the best picture, but it is the only one I have with my new white SLR saddle.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/tommasini/569F14F4-5752-4399-8902-9641702C2B20-326-00000011B8140060_zpsf77746ca.jpg

The new rims will be NOS Campagnolo tubulars (silver Seouls) I've had them for a few years now but have been procrastinating building them due to an over abundance of perfectly good clincher tires on hand.

[RkyMtn]

AWESOME! Thanks for all the info, gents!! Lovely rigs, too! That C-Record era parts are just lovely jewelry!! I wished Campy would do something that looked that sexy today.

NEXT QUESTION...

What Campy C-Record era front derailleurs were made that can handle a 6-7-8 speed chain and a 53/39 chainring setup?

And of the ones that will comply, which has the best performance?

Thanks!!!

[oldpotatoe]

AWESOME! Thanks for all the info, gents!! Lovely rigs, too! That C-Record era parts are just lovely jewelry!! I wished Campy would do something that looked that sexy today.

NEXT QUESTION...

What Campy C-Record era front derailleurs were made that can handle a 6-7-8 speed chain and a 53/39 chainring setup?

And of the ones that will comply, which has the best performance?

Thanks!!!

The C-Record front ders, IMHO, made from 1985 thru about 1992 or so, didn't work well at all. I use a modern, Record steel FD from about 2006 or 2007, using an otherwise 1988 C-Record Delta group, friction shifters, 7s freewheel.

[thirdgenbird]

I'm with OP. an 8spd-early 10spd record or chorus derailleur will look and work great.