Durax Cranks - Who made them ?

[VeloFellow54]

I have spent a great deal of time researching French component manufacturers such as Huret and Verot (Stronglight). For me the finest French made cranks came from Durax. I know that they were being offered in the UK as early as 1935 (Baines catalogue) and perhaps much earlier. However, I can find nothing about the manufacturer of these cranks. Durax is a complete mystery. Surely someone out there must know the history of the maker of Durax cranks ?

 

[Mickeyspinn]

I like durax cranks too....


Some are marked a duprat......I assume this means ateliers duprat.....so workshops of duprat!
About all I know!

 

[jim haseltine]

Durax were I believe a brand name for Andre Duprat who also marketed pretty near identical cranks in the Duprat name. Made some really light cranks with hollow arms too.

 

[Mickeyspinn]

@Woz......
Some of your in-depth researching here might be good

 

[Woz]

Durax were I believe a brand name for Andre Duprat who also marketed pretty near identical cranks in the Duprat name. Made some really light cranks with hollow arms too.

https://wiki.tontonvelo.com/index.php/Liste_des_marques_D_-_E_-_F - Durax is listed as a company here making cranks, no location given.

https://wiki.tontonvelo.com/index.php/Liste_des_marques_S_-_T_-_U - Spécial Durax is listed as a company. No location given.

 

[Mickeyspinn]

https://wiki.tontonvelo.com/index.php/Liste_des_marques_D_-_E_-_F - Durax is listed as a company here making cranks, no location given.

https://wiki.tontonvelo.com/index.php/Liste_des_marques_S_-_T_-_U - Spécial Durax is listed as a company. No location given.

View attachment 657885

Full address here woz....don't know if that might help?


Read something somewhere about the company being founded 1911..wether that relates to A Duprat,durax or special durax....no idea!

 

[Imlach]

When my crank goes stiff I prefer Durex

 

[Woz]

Not much out there. Perhaps with a time line research of the cranks themselves and looking at registered legal companies would throw more up.

Could be simply A Duprat got bought up or contracted by Simplex (who made the chain rings) and branded a slightly different crank called Durax?

 

[Mickeyspinn]

Not much out there. Perhaps with a time line research of the cranks themselves and looking at registered legal companies would throw more up.

Could be simply A Duprat got bought up or contracted by Simplex (who made the chain rings) and branded a slightly different crank called Durax?

Woz.....I've always wondered just how big simplex was! They were involved in many things not just bicycle's...just like Peugeot...Renault etc manufacturing giants...I think the searching of business records and archives is key less so the the bits of old bikes we all like!

 

[Woz]

@VeloFellow54 - Expecting a large a bottle of Pernod from you. You can leave it at the Bikewrenchers Inn and I'll drink it later.