Just Ridin’ Along…

[Prodigal Son]

Another broken syncros part. At least it wasn´t a syncros stem failure or you would be seriously hurt.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Glad you didn’t get hurt, not nice.

I had that happen to me about 15 years ago riding an old road bike in east London, was crossing Dalston junction and SNAP! Lost control and skidded along the tarmac on my hip, narrowly missed by a car. The cranks were Ofmega, and a friend had the same thing happen with the same brand. I guess they were 30 year old aluminium but even so.

Edit: I still ride retro Suntour and Shimano cranks on my daily commuter and other bikes, no probs yet, touch wood - eek!

Retro Shimano and Suntour cranks are strong decently built parts. It´s syncros you have to be carefull about significantly so if it´s a syncros stem. Just stay away from those.

 

[ferrus]

Wow I didn’t know that about the stems. I’ve been looking forward to fitting mine after searching for ages to find a 15 degree. Damn!

 

[Imlach]

Wow I didn’t know that about the stems. I’ve been looking forward to fitting mine after searching for ages to find a 15 degree. Damn!

I used to run Syncros stems on multiple bikes, but I've seen so many examples of cracked ones and snapped ones. Though they feel burly and overbuilt, there's definitely some structural weaknesses, particularly with the cattle head. For ahead I recommend the old 25.4 Thomson Elite stem, clamps similarly to a Syncros ahead stem as well.

 

[Prodigal Son]

I used to run Syncros stems on multiple bikes, but I've seen so many examples of cracked ones and snapped ones. Though they feel burly and overbuilt, there's definitely some structural weaknesses, particularly with the cattle head. For ahead I recommend the old 25.4 Thomson Elite stem, clamps similarly to a Syncros ahead stem as well.

I go w/ the race face system or Kore. The race face is heavy which is good because stems should be solid.

 

[hamster]

Classic fatigue failure pattern - the smooth part coming from the (ill-advised) machined logo is where the crack grew slowly over time. The jagged bit is the sudden final failure caused by the overload. Nasty. Check your Syncros cranks for cracks when washing the bike. I am glad you weren't injured.

Shimano, Sugino etc. have a so much experience and testing resources. There is a reason why their cranks come out heavier.

 

[ferrus]

‘tis sadly true hamster, alas.

 

[synchronicity]

I find that just about every Syncros component fails quite dramatically. The Cattlehead is particularly prone to that, wasn't sure of cranks, as I've never had any Syncros ones. I don't really consider old Syncros proper ride worthy anymore, great for show bikes but I'd pick a retro Shimano/Sugino crank over Syncros anytime

I don't know about that. I had a thomson stem and seatpost. Both failed. The bike was just sitting there and they failed too! Not even a JRA story!
Replaced stem with syncros, ok. Handlebar = syncros ("bulk" somethingorother).

 

[FluffyChicken]

Never seen a broken syncros stem and I've seen many. Any pictures?