crank loose ... help

Hi !

I have a bike with Campy Record cranks. The bike has started to make a metallic click when I hit the
3 o'clock position with the right crank. I felt to see if the bottom braket might be loosening. But
it seems ok.

Might it be a loosening right crank? And if so is it just a matter of using an allen wrench on the
hex area that is visible when looking at the right crank?

Thanks for help... I am hoping to ride today and don't want to ride without fixing the problem.

John

--
http://kingjohn.freeshell.org [email protected] SDF Public Access UNIX System -
http://sdf.lonestar.org

 

John King writes:

> I have a bike with Campy Record cranks. The bike has started to make a metallic click when I hit
> the 3 o'clock position with the right crank. I felt to see if the bottom braket might be
> loosening. But it seems ok.

> Might it be a loosening right crank? And if so is it just a matter of using an allen wrench on the
> hex area that is visible when looking at the right crank?

From your description it is unclear what you are observing but bearing adjustment and loose crank
should be easily separable, assuming it is only one of these. If you grasp a one of the cranks at
the pedal end and try to wiggle it in and out, the you should feel a bit of play and the opposite
crank should move likewise if it is a loose crank bearing. If one crank can be moved in and out
while holding the other crank, it is definitely a loose crank, but by the time it is that loose the
crank is most likely damaged beyond repair.

There's more at:

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/8f.11.html

Jobst Brandt [email protected] Palo Alto CA

 

"John King" wrote:

> I have a bike with Campy Record cranks. The bike has started to make a metallic click when I hit
> the 3 o'clock position with the right crank. I felt to see if the bottom braket might be
> loosening. But it seems ok.
>
> Might it be a loosening right crank? And if so is it just a matter of using an allen wrench on the
> hex area that is visible when looking at the right crank?

Have you tried putting the bike in a stand, or just suspending it by hooks or ropes? If you only
hear the sound while riding, it could be anything from a bad saddle to a noisy pedal. The first
thing you have to do is isolate the source.

Try disengaging the chain from the chainrings. Turn the cranks and check for clicks or
roughness. With the chain disengaged, the cranks should turn very smooth and quiet, and there
should be no play.

> I am hoping to ride today and don't want to ride without fixing the problem.

Don't ride if you suspect a loose crank! If it isn't ruined already, it soon will be.

Art Harris

 

<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> John King writes:
>
> > I have a bike with Campy Record cranks. The bike has started to make a metallic click when I hit
> > the 3 o'clock position with the right crank. I felt to see if the bottom braket might be
> > loosening. But it seems ok.
>
> > Might it be a loosening right crank? And if so is it just a matter of using an allen wrench on
> > the hex area that is visible when looking at the right crank?
>
> From your description it is unclear what you are observing but bearing adjustment and loose crank
> should be easily separable, assuming it is only one of these. If you grasp a one of the cranks at
> the pedal end and try to wiggle it in and out, the you should feel a bit of play and the opposite
> crank should move likewise if it is a loose crank bearing. If one crank can be moved in and out
> while holding the other crank, it is definitely a loose crank, but by the time it is that loose
> the crank is most likely damaged beyond repair.
>
> There's more at:
>
> http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/8f.11.html
>
> Jobst Brandt [email protected] Palo Alto CA

I suggest you also check your Chain ring bolts, pedal and cleat. If you have a new cleat, now may be
a good time to replace it.

David Ornee, Western Springs, IL

 

Wayne-<< I had heard that it was a better made frame and that you had the added flexibility of
getting it customed made.

I think you heard either wrong or heard what you wanted to hear or the guy was trying to sell ya
something. Really tough to get a 'poor' ti frameset these days. All are made well, all can give a
great ride(if fit properly) from a less than $1000 Habanero to a $3000 Serotta+, Seven, e or
Litespeed.

I would say some of the best welds are from Moots...also a great ti framesets for about $2000.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

John-<< I have a bike with Campy Record cranks. The bike has started to make a metallic click when I
hit the 3 o'clock position with the right crank.

<< Might it be a loosening right crank?

Unlikely-

<< And if so is it just a matter of using an allen wrench on the hex area that is visible when
looking at the right crank?

Don't just arbitrarily tighten crank bolts!! Good way to kill the crank.

Ensure it installed correctly, to manufacturers spec, including a dry spindle. The ticking could be
many things like Chainring bolts, pedals, BB installation, but seldom a loose crank arm.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

> Don't just arbitrarily tighten crank bolts!! Good way to kill the crank.
>
> Ensure it installed correctly, to manufacturers spec, including a dry spindle.

And don't forget to throw salt over your shoulder before tightening, otherwise the dry spindle mojo
won't take.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://www.terrymorse.com/bike/

 

On Sat, 08 Feb 2003 18:21:37 GMT, "Harris" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Have you tried putting the bike in a stand, or just suspending it by hooks or ropes? If you only
>hear the sound while riding, it could be anything from a bad saddle to a noisy pedal. The first
>thing you have to do is isolate the source.

Isolating the source of a once-per-crank-revolution noise can be frustrating in the extreme. I once
chased one for a couple of weeks, then while riding my saddle suddenly tipped back. I repositioned
and tightened it and voila, the noise was gone.

Good luck!

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3