Athletes with very long or short legs in particular, who cannot cope with the standard crank lengths on offer, are looking for the right cranks. While most suppliers limit themselves to just three lengths between 170 and 175 millimetres, Spécialités T.A. covers a spectrum from 155 to 185 millimetres with its two models Carmina and Vortex. Neither the three major suppliers Campagnolo, Shimano and SRAM nor other manufacturers of tuning cranks offer this advantage. The Carmina can also be combined with four different spiders from 94 to 130 millimetre bolt circle as a double or triple crank and with chainrings from 20 to 61 teeth.
The result is a crank with almost infinite variety in terms of length and gear ratio. The Carmina model can be equipped with a power meter from Power2Max, and chainrings from 33 to 61 teeth are available for the 110-millimetre bolt circle. However, prospective customers will have to make two compromises: The two cranks each weigh around one kilo (Carmina: 962 grams, Vortex: 1,008 grams) and are only available for bearings with a square axle.
PLUS many crank arm lengths; many gear ratios
MINUS Relatively heavy; only for square bearings
Prices (exemplary)
- Carmina 172.5 mm, gradation 53/39: 399 euros
- Vortex, 172.5 mm, gradation 53/39: 265 euros
Reference/Info www.hanrahan.de
