It all started a few years ago when a friend of mine, Chuck Carroll, posted on an idea on VintageBMX.com about bringing the Profile Racing BMX ‘box-style’ crank set back from the 1980s.  What a cool idea it was - not only were the classic Profile box cranks better looking than the current issue, they would really help us collectors finish our classic bikes with these extremely difficult to find crank sets - or better yet, build a modern BMX race or street bike with these classic high performance cranks.

:: Profile retro ‘box’ cranks with chain ring spider - click on image to enlarge ::

What are Profile box cranks?  They are the original crank design from Profile Racing, introduced in 1979.  The arms are box-shaped, rather than the current round, tubular-style which I think is very plain looking.  Profile’s design was revolutionary at the time, featuring an interference-fit 48-spline mount that’s still used today and remains a popular standard in BMX cranks.

Edd Ferri at Planet BMX is a dealer for Profile Racing, and he started the ball rolling on what would be a nearly 1.5-year project to bring this classic, yet still modern crank set back and available for the current generation of BMX riders.  It was a long process and Profile came through using the original tooling (which had to be restored) and actual hardware manufacturer that was used over 20 years ago.

:: All retro crank sets are stamped with their production number - click on image to enlarge ::

The new retro box cranks feature the same foil decal and aluminum chain ring spider as the originals.  The only visual identifier on  the new retro box cranks from the original run of them in the 1980s is a serial number stamped on the inside of one of the crank arms.  Keen observers will note that the chain ring spider Profile logo is now CNC’d instead of stamped like it used to be.  It’s important to understand that these cranks are true to the originals in every way - same tooling, same factory, and same hardware. These are not knockoffs - they are USA-made and reborn originals.

:: Profile magazine ad from 1984 - click on image to enlarge ::

Production is limited to 500 crank sets - 400 sets in 180mm and 100 sets in 175mm sizes.  Profile Racing is keeping the first 25 crank sets, and I was lucky enough to get numbers 026 and 028 for myself.  The retro crank set includes the following:

• Crank arms -available in 175mm or 180mm lengths
• Bottom bracket - available in American or Euro sizes
• Retro 110-BCD chain ring spider -  the set can also be used with any modern sprocket
• Decals - extra crank arm foil decals and Profile Racing wing decals
• Free retro t-shirt coupon

The questions are, did Profile accomplish their goal with this product and are these cranks up to the quality of the best show bikes as well as built to the standards of modern race bikes?  To answer both with one word - absolutely.

:: Retro 110 BCD chain ring spider is included - click on image to enlarge ::

Not only did Profile live up to its reputation for quality and precision with these crank sets, but the chrome is surprisingly good - unlike their standard crank sets, the retro box cranks are show-chromed, using the triple-plating process.  Welds are as clean as I’ve come to expect from Profile, and these cranks could handle racing and freestyle use.

The retro box cranks are also lighter than the modern Profile racing cranks, which begs the question - will the box cranks be stiffer as well?  I aim to find out and report back.

If you want a set, head over to Planet BMX, but order quickly - with the buzz this product is creating, they will sell out quickly.

Related Links:

• Planet BMX
• Profile Racing