Miche cranksets considered harmful?

Sure, I think hollowtech 2 cranksets are stiffer than most square taper cranksets, are easier to install and remove and less effected by repeated installation and removal.

If you’re like me and too cheap to buy stuff new then square taper stuff can be a bit of a gamble for how many times has it been on and off, how carefully has it been fitted and removed each of those times, have the crank bolts been checked regularly etc where hollowtechs seem to have a bit more endurance for people with less mechanical sympathy.

No, no model number. I just compared a used one, I bought off ebay some time ago, to one I just bought new. Also seems like the whole krankarms changed their shape (a bit).

If you spot more differences, I am curious to see more pictures now.

Shimano cartridge BB with Stronglight 2000 is fine. I've used this combo on a commuter for years. (Can't comment on the miche / stronglight length but the tapers will be compatible)
It's the Square Taper Sugino 75 and Dura Ace 7600 that are odd.

I got myself some Stronglight 2000. I will report back after some usage

Many horror posts about faulty Miche Primato cranks on r/FixedGearBicycle last week got me stressed and I finally put on those Stronglight. So far I can say that chain alignment and clearance are very similar. I will report back on how they ride.

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Miche Pistard 2.0

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That'll buff out

Arseholes.

Hope no other significant damage to yourself or bike.

Is that your second miche failure?

Other was a Primato.
Was a strange one, it didn't snap, more like went soft and then sort of peeled off. So although I was in a middle of Hanger Lane gyratory going down hill with speed through traffic, it wasn't too bad.

Glad to hear you survived - The Hangar Lane Gyratory is not an attractive cycling venue under any circumstances.

If you look at 1950's continental road racing photos (as I do), it's noticeable that many pros were reluctant to adopt cotterless (ali) cranks which I believe had existed even before 1939. Perhaps they knew something?

Oh, I wasn't expecting to find this thread, but can't say I'm surprised in the slightest. For exactly this issue and also very weird nuts on their hubs that always working themselves loose and mess up bearings and axles (don't know the details, but can dig up if somebody interested) they are known in local community as «Fucking Miche» or just «fucking ones» — everyone would understand you. It's not uncommon to see messages like «swapping a pair of fucking ones for a beer, crack included as usual» in chats.

So what are my options for a replacement crankset? (Nothing Miche obvs)

Aluminium does that, think about bending a paper clip a few times.

Williams!

I've had Alpina (from Dolan) for about 2 years. Think they were just over £100 back then? BB and chainring were included if I remember right.

Going by the uneven colouration on the crack surface the crack might have started a while ago.

Tbh the alloy and heat treatment is far superior these day.

I have absolutely no doubt about that, it's just looks like Miche decided to ignore all these advancements.

Going by the uneven colouration on the crack surface the crack might have started a while ago.

I have no idea how quickly the aluminium dulls like that but it doesn't really matter, they shouldn't be cracking.

That looks like anodising rather than dulling, which, if that was the case, would mean the crack was there when those cranks were manufactured…

This thread made me go look at my spare crankset in the cupboard. It’s got this crack too…need to go look at my bike now 🫣

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My current crankset has the same cracks too. So glad I found this thread and had a good look. Scary.

Any crankset Recs?

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The redesign noted on page 5 looks like it should do the trick.