Are there any modern cranksets that aren't goppingly awful?

[Nearholmer]

The old ones are over-styled too, just in a different style.

Bikes have always been as much about aesthetics as about function, and the particular aesthetic has simply evolved over time. If there is one common feature of bike aesthetics down the years though, it is that bikes meant to appeal to enthusiasts have always been styled so as to convey an impression of speediness, historically by looking as light and airy as possible, nowadays by looking as if they might be fitted with warp-drive.

[ANTONISH]

I like the Spa chainset - prefer the Stronglight near equivalent. I've got both.
I've never really liked threaded headsets even when there wasn't anything else available - it might be to do with me having had small frames the length of the head tube being commensurately shorter - many years of trying to find a solution - if you are offering a solution I've already tried it.
When I first saw an Aheadset I was not impressed but I've found it a great improvement in practice

I'm 82 and I'm always ready to adopt something if I think it's an improvement of what's gone before.

[Brucey]

.....though the bearings are not as durable as old style 3 piece cranksets with recessed bearings.....

you know how 'groupthink' works? Well within shimano (and far beyond) 'groupthink' appears to have made them think that trapped volumes are OK, even though a mere five minutes clear thinking might convince you otherwise. So I now believe that the best thing you can do with an 'o' ring sealed' waterproof' BB sleeve is make holes in it. With a pin perhaps. I don't think you will ever prevent condensation entirely, but the holes should allow it all to dry out again without pushing water into the bearings.

Of course, this should also prevent water etc.from being sucked into the bearings from outside..There's arguably almost no point in even having seals if there is a trapped volume behind them. The only reason the UN- series BBs didn't fail more often was (I think) that it was far less likely for the unit to suck water inside itself because of the inboard bearing placement.

[cyclop]

I can only comment on my experience of old style bearings which appear to last longer.Also,square taper cranksets are a lot cheaper than most 2 piece designs.

[pwa]

Just seen the price of 2 piece Sugino OX....... ......even used......

Yep. I'd put up with the ugliness of a GRX in preference to paying that. And whilst not as unpleasant to look at as Shimano, the Sugnio OXs are not pretty in the way that some cranksets used to be.

[jimlews]

I think that all recent bike styling is objectively ugly.
And it's not just another way of implying "fast".
Styled, but in no way stylish.
Time for Shimano, Sram & Campagnolo etc. to bin the ugly stick they have whacked their recent creations with.
A full gopp set, anyone ?

[Nearholmer]

That’s just a long way of saying that you like the old aesthetic, but not the new (so happens that I tend in the retro direction too, to some degree). What I’m not convinced it proves is that there exists an absolute scale in these things.

[scottg]

https://www.renehersecycles.com/product ... ts/cranks/
Made for the Japanese and American markets.

[pwa]

rene.jpg

https://www.renehersecycles.com/product ... ts/cranks/
Made for the Japanese and American markets.

Interestingly, those are a bit too retro for my tastes. The crank arms look like summat off a steam engine. I prefer mine more smoothed off and rounded, ala Campag circa 1990 for example.

[Glen]

There you go....

[gregoryoftours]

These don't look too bad -

https://www.templecycles.co.uk/products ... h8QAvD_BwE

I agree that most look fairly hideous these days. Rear derailleurs are the worst for this in my opinion!

[NickJP]

rene.jpg

https://www.renehersecycles.com/product ... ts/cranks/
Made for the Japanese and American markets.

Interestingly, those are a bit too retro for my tastes. The crank arms look like summat off a steam engine. I prefer mine more smoothed off and rounded, ala Campag circa 1990 for example.

The main problem with those Herse cranks is that they use a unique bolt circle with no 3rd party suppliers of chainrings, and when they're out of stock of a particular size (which seems to happen not infrequently), you're toast if you need that size of chainring.

[KettleChips]

I personally like the old Shimano cranksets but they're fairly heavy and the stock grease feels like broken glass

My solution: FSA K-force cranksets

-multiple standards Shimano, BB30, BB386EVO, Octa, SQ

-For 3rd party parts they look simple and minimalistic plus you have the last 10+ years of stock to buy

-currently got a 130 Gossamer but damn are 130's getting hard to find (3 piece shimano) was easy as pie to install

[mig]

in pure engineering terms, to take the forces involved, what would be the best shape? something that doesn't taper at all?

does the orientation a square taper 'hole' make any difference? (it did BITD when i broke a chainset side crank as the stoker of a tandem to find the replacement....er.....was differently oriented to the left hand side. bah! )

[Brucey]

in pure engineering terms, to take the forces involved, what would be the best shape? something that doesn't taper at all?....

the crank sees two main loads from the pedals;

1) a torsion load, for which a non-tapered crank is probably best.
2) a bending load. Whether a taper on the crank is a good idea or not depends on how secure you think the pedal is, I suppose.