Kooka cranks = crap!

[OldNBroken]

I purchased a set of kooka mtn cranks when they first came out. They developed some "issues" and were exchanged for a second set under warranty. I put the replacement set on my Adroit, rode it for a summer, and then retired the girl.

I've since started riding the bike *rolls eyes*, and after 5 or 6 rides managed to split the drive side crank. I heard an odd crack at the bottom of a climb and then again a few minutes later. This is what I found.

I'm getting a bit weary of all my "retro" gear crapping out on me. So buyer beware. This stuff doesn't last.

 

[ishaw]

Sorry to see that, but I've heard that kooka cranks weren't the strongest, especially the earlier cnc ones.

 

[justbackdated]

Yep-crap back in the day.......still crap now

 

[OldNBroken]

Yep-crap back in the day.......still crap now

I'd have to agree. Most of the CNC bits from the 90's were junk, especially the ones that started with a "K". Kooka, Kore. They looked pretty, but never lasted.

Did I mention I also had a set of wheels built up with "fiber flight" carbon spokes... Yes, I was a sucker in the 90's.

 

[shogun]

Most of the sainted CNC stuff from the 90s was fragile rubbish. I think bikes with boring shimano bits will probably be the ones still ridden in a few years.

 

[Barneyballbags]

Most of the sainted CNC stuff from the 90s was fragile rubbish. I think bikes with boring shimano bits will probably be the ones still ridden in a few years.

I agree. There's a lot to be said for 'boring' kit!!

Form over function, or function over form? I know which one I'd choose, every single time

I remember buying a Parkpre Pro Image from a racer friend of mine. It came with Topline cranks which looked the absolute business.

I went through 2 sets and I'm not exactly what you'd call a heavy rider (135lb)!

 

[mechagouki]

It's a common problem with Kookas (and Cooks, Graftons and early Race Face), stick with Shimano and you'll generally be okay, although the old Deore DX cranks were a little soft.

Strangely I did have a bike in my stand one day, an old beater, that was wearing a hugely corroded set of Kookas, the pedals were seized in and the cranks looked like they had been at the bottom of a lake for years, but I checked them over carefully - no cracks!

 

[Barneyballbags]

stick with Shimano and you'll generally be okay, although the old Deore DX cranks were a little soft.

Aaaargh don't say that - got a set coming on my NOS Al Mega! :shock:

 

[andrewl]

So buyer beware. This stuff doesn't last.

I know of some sets which have been in regular use since 1995 so they aren't all bad.

 

[hamster]

That's like the small percentage of people who smoke 40 a day and live to 90. It's possible, but the odds are it won't happen.

Shimano and the other big makers really do understand the durability side. Niche makers either don't understand or make their living from people who are prepared to set the balance further towards lightness than durability.