Rocking crankset

Artoi said:

After nearly 7000km, I've just noticed the cranks on my road bike have
this rocking movement when I pull it by the ends. It's a Campag Veloce
triple setup from 2005-06 era.

Before taking it out for service or self-service. I wonder what are the
possible causes and specific areas I should look at?

I understand this setup has a cartridge BB which does not offer any
bearing adjustments. If so, excluding any loosening of the crank bolts,
can such a BB wear out over that mileage? The bike has been kept indoors
and has been ridden only a handful of times in the rain over the last 12
months.

Any comments?
--

If the crank bolts have loosened up the the point of the cranks rocking
and you've ridden the bike at all in this state its a good chance you've
ruined the cranks...

But to me it sounds like the BB has worn out.

Cheers

Joel

--
Human Powered Cycles | High quality servicing and repairs
[email hidden] | Affordable second hand bikes
(03) 9029 6504 | Bicycle reuse centre
www.humanpowered.com.au | Mechanical and on-road training and instruction

Artoi said:

After nearly 7000km, I've just noticed the cranks on my road bike have
this rocking movement when I pull it by the ends. It's a Campag Veloce
triple setup from 2005-06 era.

Before taking it out for service or self-service. I wonder what are the
possible causes and specific areas I should look at?

I understand this setup has a cartridge BB which does not offer any
bearing adjustments. If so, excluding any loosening of the crank bolts,
can such a BB wear out over that mileage?

Yes it can. Check to make sure the BB cups are tight. If so, bearings
cooked, need a new BB.

The bike has been kept indoors

Quoted message said:

and has been ridden only a handful of times in the rain over the last 12
months.

Any comments?
--

In article <[email hidden]>,

Joel Mayes said:

If the crank bolts have loosened up the the point of the cranks rocking
and you've ridden the bike at all in this state its a good chance you've
ruined the cranks...

But to me it sounds like the BB has worn out.

Thanks all. I've now checked and it appear that the crank bolts are all
tight and the BB cups are not obviously loose. As you say, it's probably
the BB cartridge that's gone. Disappointed that it hasn't even given a
year or 10,000km of service. Isn't that a bit poor? Would this be
covered by the one year warranty that came with the bike? Any suggestion
of a more durable BB cartridge?

Looking at the tools required to do this job, apart from regular allen
keys etc, seems a crank extractor and a special cup tool is needed.
--

Artoi said:

Thanks all. I've now checked and it appear that the crank bolts are all
tight and the BB cups are not obviously loose. As you say, it's probably
the BB cartridge that's gone. Disappointed that it hasn't even given a
year or 10,000km of service. Isn't that a bit poor?

I would think so. Was it used in particularly bad conditions (e.g.
underwater)? I've got 20,000 miles (32,000km) on an Athena cartridge,
but that bike only goes out when it's dry. My rainbike has another
Athena (should be similar to your Veloce), and I think that's had over
7000km and no wobbles yet.

BTW, I'm trying to figure out if I can non-destructively removed the
seals on the rainbike Athena BB so I can regrease; it's sounding a bit
rusty in there. Anybody know?

Would this be

Quoted message said:

covered by the one year warranty that came with the bike? Any suggestion
of a more durable BB cartridge?

I'm surprised the one you had wasn't more durable. If you're inside the
one-year, I'd sure try to claim warranty replacement. 7000km shouldn't
be considered normal wear (if not used for touring the bottom of your
swimming pool).

Quoted message said:

Looking at the tools required to do this job, apart from regular allen
keys etc, seems a crank extractor and a special cup tool is needed.

Sounds right. Good luck,

Mark J.

Artoi said:

After nearly 7000km, I've just noticed the cranks on my road bike have
this rocking movement when I pull it by the ends. It's a Campag Veloce
triple setup from 2005-06 era.

Before taking it out for service or self-service. I wonder what are the
possible causes and specific areas I should look at?

I understand this setup has a cartridge BB which does not offer any
bearing adjustments. If so, excluding any loosening of the crank bolts,
can such a BB wear out over that mileage? The bike has been kept indoors
and has been ridden only a handful of times in the rain over the last 12
months.

Worst case is a new BB which is not expensive.

OTOH is the play is only slight and neither affects front shift response
nor drives you nuts with noise it may not be an urgent problem.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Artoi said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Joel Mayes said:

If the crank bolts have loosened up the the point of the cranks rocking
and you've ridden the bike at all in this state its a good chance you've
ruined the cranks...

Quoted message said:

But to me it sounds like the BB has worn out.

Thanks all. I've now checked and it appear that the crank bolts are all
tight and the BB cups are not obviously loose. As you say, it's probably
the BB cartridge that's gone. Disappointed that it hasn't even given a
year or 10,000km of service. Isn't that a bit poor? Would this be
covered by the one year warranty that came with the bike? Any suggestion
of a more durable BB cartridge?

Looking at the tools required to do this job, apart from regular allen
keys etc, seems a crank extractor and a special cup tool is needed.
--

Campagnolo should warranty it if w/i 3 years of purchase, not use. BUT
get a Centaur one as a replacement. 3 brearings, like the design of
Record and Chorus. More expensive but a better BB as well. Available
in 111 and 115mm lengths.