L&M Stardrive Cranks [pic]

[markoc]

Courtesy of the bay, I'm now the proud owner of some L&M Stardrive cranks - a company I'm not too familiar with. I know they're Brit, and look really rather nice. They were bought as I'm trying to kit the P7 SS out in as much Brit kit as possible, and I do remember L&M as a brand form back in the day. Other than that I know very little.

A search on here hasn't turned up much. For the princely sum of about £30 with rings I'm happy as larry - and to be honest they may go on my XC bike rather than my SS as they look so nice. If they came from someone on here then I salute you for your good taste, and embarrasingly feel I robbed you a little as they must be worth more...

So, people of Retrobike - what do you know about L&M?

[Pics pending, after my tea!]

 

[markoc]

 

[Owen]

Nice find!

I don't remember much about them, but they were British and from what I do remember pretty decent quality. For some reason they never really took off though.. :?

I was just thinking about L&M stuff the other day when I stumbled across this site..

A selection of rings that would match your cranks:
http://www.mammoet.nl/store/catalog/index.php/cPath/132_216/sort/3a/page/4

Coloured spiders:
http://www.mammoet.nl/store/catalog/index.php/cPath/132_216/sort/3a/page/12

They are in holland I believe.. if you fancied ordering anything let me know and I'll split the postage as they have a few little bits I fancy too..

 

[was8v]

I seem to remember them being a cheaper alternative to middleburn etc when machined cranks were all the rage.

Were they made in the far east and then a UK shop sold them?

Either way they are cool for £30, just be careful with those tapers!

 

[SouthCoastRetro]

L&M were a local company to me in my area,they were made in a notorious part of town known as 'Leigh Park' (was once the biggest Council estate in Europe!).

As far as I know they turned out quality components,maybe on a par with Middleburn,in an affordable way. Good quality machining and well made tapers and threads,a good find for a great price. Well done!

 

[mrkawasaki]

I think I have a pair with a floating spaceman etched onto the arms...

Mr K

 

[S8-Tom]

L&M were a local company to me in my area,they were made in a notorious part of town known as 'Leigh Park' (was once the biggest Council estate in Europe!).

Yep, Long & Marshall. The engineering company that made them are still in a similar location but newer, larger premises. Made RC car bits too IIRC. The bloke that designed the cranks was Pete something-or-other. Eventually distribution was handled by Zoobits. Pete is now heading up Park Life, bike component company.
http://www.parklifeparts.com/
http://www.longmar.com/

I think the earlier version of this crank had a webbed pattern on the back of the arm which sometimes cracked. Latter versions had a hollowed out channel.

 

[teadrinker]

I had a lovely pair of these on my old 956. Beautifully CNC'd and anodised in a gorgeous Purple. Paid about £180 for those back on the day. Happy memories

 

[jojopunx]

blue crank

 

[David B]

Bought a pair of L&M cranks (not the DH type, far less chunky than those) from RB a couple of years back, lovely polished finish and nice CNC sculpting of the crank arms. Sadly the RH one gave up the ghost this weekend as the crank/spider interface is now completely shot
If anyone has a replacement set they're looking to flog (failing that a set of 175mm 110PCD Middleburns that fit a square taper BB would do) drop me a line. Road bike is out of action for the near future as a result

David