The Crankset Project

A Study in Bicycle Engineering and Design

Crank.set: noun /krangk·set/
The component of a bicycle drivetrain that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider’s legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain, which in turn drives the rear wheel.

The crankset is the centerpiece of a bicycle component group and often sets the design aesthetic for the full system. It is the largest visual element in the drivetrain and the one responsible for turning effort into speed.

The Crankset Project is an ongoing photographic archive, inspired by a lifelong fascination with bicycles, their elegant engineering and the beauty of simple systems built from complex parts.

Cranksets are where power becomes motion.

Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary

This is #7088 of approximately 15,000 grouppo's produced in 1983.

Campagnolo Super Record

This one features custom Guerciotti pantographing.

Campagnolo Super Record

This one features aftermarket rings in a 54/45 combination.

Campagnolo Super Record BMX

BMX Parts were added to the Campy line in 1980. They also made pedals and chain rings along with the cranks.

Campagnolo Super Record Track

It's 172.5mm in length and formerly belonged to Connie Carpenter-Phinney.

Campagnolo C-Record

The C-Record was first introduced in 1985. This one features Campy’s century finish which was only available in 1991 & 1992.

Campagnolo Record Track

165mm in length with a Campy 48T ring.

Campagnolo Croce d'Aune

Croce d'Aune was first introduced in 1988 with a similar design later becoming Chorus and finally Athena.

Campagnolo Record

It was first introduced in 1995 and features a hidden 5th arm.

Campagnolo Chorus

It was first introduced in 1997 and is 9 speed compatible.

**Mavic 631** The 631 was introduced in the mid-80’s and was part of the SSC and Zap groups. It was lovingly nicknamed The Starfish & The Flying Squirrel.

**Shimano Dura-Ace 7400** Introduced in 1985 it was the premier racing group of its era

**Shimano Dura-Ace GA-200** This is a first generation model produced from 1973 - 1976.

**Shimano Dura-Ace 7410** The Dura-Ace 7410 low-profile crank was introduced in 1993.

**Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7200** It was produced from 1980 -1984 and used Shimano's Dyna-Drive pedals.

**Suntour Superbe** It was introduced in 1977 and features aftermarket rings in a 52/47 combo complete with Drillium!

**Suntour Superbe Pro** It was introduced in 1981 as Suntour's top-end racing group.

**Ofmega Mistral** They were made in the 1980's and feature a proprietary angled spyder and chainrings.

**Rino Excel** This is a private-labeled version of the Cambio Rino Criterium crankset, with 'Excel' logo in place of 'Rino' on the crankarm flutes.

**FSA Carbon Pro** The Carbon Pro was introduced in the early 2000’s and features carbon fiber arms and a removable carbon fiber spider.

**Ofmega Quattro** This is a Bianchi specific version of the Ofmega Vantage

**FRM CU 2 Evolution** Italian style fully accessorized with FRM & Tiso bolts and blue TA chanirings.

**Power Cranks Basic Model** It's like trying to pedal one legged but with both legs.

**SRAM XX1 Sram’s top-end, carbon fiber mountain bike crankset designed for 1x drivetrains.**

**Campagnolo Record OR** It was introduced in 1992 and was Campy's high-end MTB grouppo at the time.

**Syncros Mountain** They were introduced in the mid 1990's.

**Campagnolo Olympus** It was introduced in 1991 and was Campy's low-end MTB grouppo at the time.

**Middleburn RS-3** It was manufactured in the mid-90's by a British company.

Studio Photography for Bicycle Components

The Crankset Project applies disciplined studio lighting and consistent composition to document bicycle cranksets as both engineering artifacts and design objects.

Featured in this series:

Vintage aluminum cranksets
Modern carbon and composite systems
Classic road and track components
Contemporary performance drivetrains
Detail studies of machining, finishes and branding

Each crankset is photographed against a neutral background to eliminate distraction and emphasize geometry, materials and craftsmanship.

Book a Cycling Product Photography Consultation

Need precise studio photography of cycling components? Rob creates crankset photography and bicycle component product photography that highlights craftsmanship, geometry and engineering detail for brands, builders and editorial teams.

Commercial photographer based in Boulder, working throughout Denver, the Front Range and nationwide.

A Study in Bicycle Engineering and Design

Studio Photography for Bicycle Components

Book a Cycling Product Photography Consultation

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