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• #52
Sure, aluminium cranks can be made reliable. Too bad there are too many bad ones out there.
Steel is actually less susceptible to fatigue, though obviously not immune.
Anyway, I wouldn't mind a good quality track crankset made from steel. -
• #53
Most crank failures I've ever seen are on commuter bikes, miles, lots of starts from a standstill (torque transfer at its highest for an average joe or julie type rider), salt, sweat, salt and water combined on alloy is a bad thing, pedal strikes cause a lot of damage (to ride as well!).
MTB its been from clatting a composite crank/pedal strike maximus and ripped the threaded insert out of them.
Road pretty much only 'common' failure I see is 105/Ult HT2 coming apart at the weld/joint, again I think more from salt + water getting in there and causing the alloys to break down into dust.
Exactly. There's no reason not to choose alu cranks. Choose alu cranks that aren't shit.