Sugino RD2 Messenger Double Crankarm Set

Faulty, poorly made, dangerous

This was the stock crank on my 2009 Bianchi San Jose. I adore the bike and have put thousands of miles on it since I got it. I was riding home from work on the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River between Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR when the crank arm snapped in half as I was climbing the narrow sidewalk. The arm literally snapped in half in the middle of the crank arm. I crashed pretty hard, banged up my knee and had blood in my urine for days. I was lucky enough to not be thrown 70' down into the Columbia River or into a giant steel I-beam. This crank arm is beyond bad, it's dangerous.

To add insult to injury, Sugino has yet to respond to this issue which I contacted about immediately after it happened. It's been over 5 months now. So not only does Sugino make cheap and faulty parts, but they make no effort to address issues for their users.

Bianchi sent me to a local bike shop that took care of the problem and replaced the cranks and bottom bracket with FSA parts. They're much higher quality and I don't live in fear of it snapping beneath me.

I weigh 185lbs. and ride stock gears on the San Jose. There is no reason why the force I exert on the cranks should snap forged metal. How Sugino's quality control could be so poor is truly dismaying. I would never get another Sugino part ever. I would not allow anyone I know or care about to ride on these parts. Do not buy anything they make. Swap out any Sugino crank on your bike immediately.

I'd be happy to provide pictures of the broken part to anyone interested. My email is danielmorrisonster@gmail.com.

Pros: None.

Cons: Faulty. Poorly made. Dangerous. Zero customer service.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: February 21, 2012
Reviewed by: Daniel M.

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