Crankset fitting issues

Asked by: Alex Ramsey

Do all cranksets fit all bottom bracket?

In general terms, most cranksets can be fitted to a variety of bottom bracket shells, though much of this compatibility depends upon the availability of suitable hardware (see next section). Any incompatibilities that do arise are often related to the length and/or diameter of the crank axle.

How do I know if a cranks will fit my bike?

The two most important factors are axle diameter and crank length.

• Axle diameter: The two common axle diameters are 19mm and 22mm, so check before you buy that your bottom bracket is compatible. …
• Crank length: This is measured from the centre of the bottom bracket axle to the centre of the pedal axle.

Why do my cranks keep coming loose?

If you’ve been repeatedly riding with a loose crank arm it could be that it’s now damaged. You could try tightening with lots of torque, grease on the square taper and threadlocker (e.g. blue Loctite, but in a pinch any kind of glue works) on the threads.

What happens if you over tighten crankset?

Yes, it is possible



The bigger problem with over tightening a square taper is that crank arm can be deformed to the point where it will not stay tight. I always use a torque wrench when tigtening crank bolts to avoid over tightening.

Can I fit a 68mm bottom bracket in a 73mm shell?

You could install it, but it will shift your chainline, shift the centerline of your feet, clearance issues might arise on the non-drive side, and you might be leaving some BB shell threads exposed on the non-drive side as well.

Can I put a bigger crankset on my bike?

Yes, you can. This will make it suitable for diverse terrains and make pedaling easier. Putting a smaller chainring on your road bike isn’t a problem but you may have to change your crankset.

Will any chainring fit any crank?

You can replace the chainrings on your crankset, but not all chainrings will fit all cranks. First, different cranksets may have a different number of arms or direct-mount interfaces (connecting the cranks to the chainrings), and they may be positioned differently.

Can you use any crankset on a bike?

Cranksets are not always interchangeable. Every crank is designed to work with a specific bottom bracket. Even if the cranks use the same interface (octalink, square taper, or hollow tech), switching them between bike brands or even models of the same brand is hard.

What’s the difference between 170mm and 175mm cranks?

Macdermid found that riders reached their peak power nearly 1 second quicker on 170mm cranks than they did on 175mm cranks. That means shorter cranks give riders better acceleration, which can make a difference when passing other riders or trying to clean an obstacle.

How do you fix a wobbly crank?

Quote from video: Really make sure that you hold the pedal. And when you're tightening you want to get. This. On there as tight as you can to keep the crank garment flush with the bike.

How tight should crank arms be?

Quote from video: We put the tool in the cap. Just a couple of fingers will do us about four inch pounds. Sometimes not that much if you bring the crank arm over to the bearings.

How do you tighten a crank?

Quote from video: Now using the screwdriver tighten up the cones they it takes out the play in the cranks and secures the bearings of the correct. Place do not over tighten.

Do I need spacers on my crankset?

For all cranksets with a constant diameter spindle (30mm, 29mm DUB and 24mm), spindle spacers are used as needed to remove any side-to-side play of the crank, and to center the crank in the frame. For most installations, the included spacers will be enough to properly position the cranks in the BB.

Do I need bottom bracket spacer?

Much like GXP, you don’t need to add any spacers to the bottom bracket if you have a 73mm shell, but you will need to add a 4.5mm spacer to the right-hand side of the crank axle, unless you’re using a chain guide, in which case a 2mm spacer is required instead, along with a 2.5mm spacer on the right-hand side of the

How do I know what size bottom bracket to buy?

Quote from video:

Are all cranksets compatible?

Crankset compatibility. You can replace the chainrings on your crankset, but not all chainrings will fit all cranks. First, different cranksets may have a different number of arms or direct-mount interfaces (connecting the cranks to the chainrings), and they may be positioned differently.

How do I know if my bottom bracket is compatible?

Quote from video: Inspect inside the shell of the frame. If the frame shell is smooth on the inside it is a press fit shell. The bottom bracket is a thread together style bottom bracket which has its own video here.

How do I know what size crankset to get?

How to measure crank length? Crank length is measured from the centre of the bottom bracket axle to the centre of the pedal axle. If you’re not sure what length the cranks on your bike are, the quickest way of finding out is typically to just look at the backside of your cranks, just below the pedal axle.

Are SRAM and Shimano cranksets interchangeable?

Thus, cranks from Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo are freely interchangeable along with those from all aftermarket brands (e.g. FSA, Rotor, Praxis, etc.). And while it is preferable to match the chainrings/crankset to the transmission, there is no strict need to do so.

Will a SRAM crank fit in a Shimano bottom bracket?

Higher-end SRAM cranks demand a SRAM bottom bracket for secure installation and optimal performance. Thus, they aren’t compatible with Shimano bottom brackets. However, square taper SRAM cranks can be used with any square taper bottom bracket that would fit on the bike, including Shimano models.

Can I use a Shimano crankset with SRAM bottom bracket?

SRAM square taper bottom brackets can operate with Shimano’s square taper cranks. Thus, if the bottom bracket is compatible with the frame, you will be able to use Shimano square taper cranks. That said, the type of the crank should correspond to the bike model.