Crank arm snapped

"anern" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My crank arm just snapped in the middle of the road - anybody had this
happen to them before, I could have easily got splatted. It's an Omega,
looks like a funny alloy, which is clearly visable through the now

available

Quoted message said:

cross section.

Any thoughts ?

Hmmm.

Is this an "Omega" bicycle? If so, see this webpage:

http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-78-78040.html

which says that Huffy Corp has recalled varous brands of bicycles (including
"Omega"😉 for crank failures much like that which you have described.

Or is this an "Ofmega" crank?

Quoted message said:

"anern" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My crank arm just snapped in the middle of the road - anybody had this
happen to them before, I could have easily got splatted. It's an Omega,
looks like a funny alloy, which is clearly visable through the now

available

Quoted message said:

cross section.

jtaylor said:

Is this an "Omega" bicycle? If so, see this webpage:
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-78-78040.html
which says that Huffy Corp has recalled varous brands of bicycles (including
"Omega"😉 for crank failures much like that which you have described.
Or is this an "Ofmega" crank?

More likely an Italian OFMEGA crank, a second-tier supplier.
Also likley if there are a few years/miles/impacts on the thing.

Aluminum cranks break. As do stems and bars. Riders should
periodically inspect for cracks because although the report
usually includes the word 'suddenly' the cracks are aften
visible for quite awhile before a catastrophic failure.

This isn't to bash Ofmega or the rider. It is not an
uncommon event at all, across brands, for older equipment.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi wrote -

Quoted message said:

Aluminum cranks break. As do stems and bars. Riders should periodically
inspect for cracks because although the report usually includes the word
'suddenly' the cracks are aften visible for quite awhile before a
catastrophic failure.

After 3 years hard use snapped a LH Shimano Ultegra crank at the foot of a
short steep driveway
when I had just got out of the saddle to try and sprint up the steep rise.
Sheered about 5cm out
from the centre of the crank.

Foot went down on that side, said hello to Mr Pavement and scraped my elbow
but the real pain was a pedestrian looking at
me as a real goose - Not a Good Look Lance.

Anyhow, it impressed my lbs guy and Shimano supplied a new crankset (not
sure why they only supply
both sides as an indivisable supply item?). I had thought a crank was
unlikely ever to fail.

Whilst I had probably ground the pedal on that side once or twice at speed
and probably bumped that pedals into a curb
at least once I would have classified my use as within normal tolerances -
but that was with me at 107kg.

Still haven't broken a stem or a fork and not anxious to do either given
their significance - I think they are the only bike bits I have not broken
over long use.

But Andrew M's right - parts do fail and regular cleaning checking and
replacing anything critical which is suspect on the bike is cheap insurance

best, Andrew