Projekt 1919 Is the Latest Component Brand to Offer High End Square Taper Cranks

Projekt 1919, a new consumer-facing division, has emerged from a collaboration between a co-founder of 5DEV and a 107-year-old component brand. Their inaugural product offering is a line of high-end square taper cranks, aiming to reintroduce this classic interface to the modern, performance-oriented market. This move signals a strategic pivot for the established, yet previously unmentioned, component manufacturer, leveraging contemporary design expertise.

This development is notable given the cycling industry's relentless march towards integrated, often proprietary, crankset designs. Square taper, largely relegated to entry-level or vintage builds, is an unexpected choice for a "high-end" launch. The involvement of a 5DEV co-founder, known for their precision-machined components, suggests a focus on quality and aesthetics rather than outright weight savings or stiffness, potentially targeting a niche of discerning riders valuing durability and a classic aesthetic.

One might wonder if this is a genuine revival or simply a well-machined anachronism. Regardless, it's a bold play, proving that even in an industry obsessed with the new, there's still a market for the meticulously re-engineered old.