Wondering if this crankset from 1990 is still safe to use

Asked by: Ernesto Smith

How do I know if my crankset is compatible?

In most cases three-and two-piece cranksets are compatible with the same bottom brackets so long as the axle is the same diameter. They are commonly used in conjunction with the mid-style bottom bracket standard. One-piece: This is where the axle and crank arms are a single piece of steel.

How long does a crank arm last?

As long as crank arms are checked regularly for tightness they should last for years and years. I have vintage Sugino Aero Tour (AT) crank arms that I have used for over twenty-five years without any wear to the square tapers. I’ve installed and worn out four or five chain ring sets using the same crank arms.

Are all cranksets the same?

Cranks come in a range of sizes, most commonly from 165mm to 190mm, and ideal crank length is often determined by three factors: your height, your cycling discipline and your personal preferences. If you change your crank length, it will change how it feels to pedal your bike, and it may change your fit on your bike.

Can I change crankset without changing bottom bracket?

To answer your question specifically, yes cranksets require a specific bottom bracket, especially so the new offerings from SRAM and Shimano and others.

How do I know what type of crankset I have?

Print. Shimano cranks are all identified with model information above or surrounding the area on the backside of the pedal threads. For example; FC-6700/6750 = Shimano Ultegra. The crank length is often located in the same area, which is helpful to note before placing an order.

Can I put any crankset on my bike?

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.

Do cranksets wear out?

Absolutely! Just like the other parts of the bicycle, the crankset and its components are also prone to wear and tear.

When should you replace crankset?

“Rough/noisy running is the best way to tell if a chainring needs replacing,” says Chris Mckenney of SRAM. “Unless a chainring is well beyond its service life it is very difficult to see this visually; chainring teeth slowly take on the shape of a shark’s fin in use.

Why are shorter cranks better?

They allow more fluid, comfortable pedalling. They can reduce or eliminate lower back, hip and knee pain. For triathletes the transition from cycling to running becomes easier. Shorter cranks can even make your saddle comfier.

Do all cranks fit all bottom brackets?

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.

What is the difference between 50 34 and 52 36?

Basically, the 52/36 will allow 5% higher top-speed before spinning-out compared to the 50/34. (Many say that your aero-tuck and other factors are more important at those speeds anyway.) But on the hills, you’ll find the 36 to be harder to turn than the 34.

Can you mix crank arms?

generally, yes. The early days of Stages had people mixing different crank arms together, different colors sometimes, different Q factors too. This might be obvious, but just to put it here – the crank interfaces need to match, you can’t just put two different ones together.

What do crankset numbers mean?

The numbers on the chainrings simply refer to the number of teeth on each chainring. A standard road bike crankset will have the 53 and 39 tooth rings (obviously the 53 tooth ring is the large one and the 39 tooth one is the small one), while a compact crankset typically has 50 and 34 tooth rings.

What is crank old?

Crank is a pejorative term used for a person who holds an unshakable belief that most of their contemporaries consider to be false. Common synonyms for crank include crackpot and kook. A crank belief is so wildly at variance with those commonly held that it is considered ludicrous.

How tight should crank arms be?

Registered. Most square taper crank arms should be 29 ft-lbs. That is pretty darn tight. As has been mentioned, if it came loose, the crank arm is likely damaged beyond repair already and needs to be replaced.

Can you mix and match crank arms?

Back to your question, if you stick to the same type of arm and interface (like road or mountain bike), you can generally mix and match between the left and right sides. So you might have a 105 power crank arm matched with an Ultegra crank arm. Just make sure to match crank arm length and you are set. That’s the idea!

Are crank arms interchangeable?

No, cranks are not generally always interchangeable, but you probably can transplant the crank from the broken bike. First, do both bikes have 6, 7 or 8 sprockets in the rear cluster? If so, they use the same chain width and the spacing between the chainrings will be the same.

What cranks are compatible with Shimano?

In the case of Shimano, 110mm or 104mm is often used for so-called compact cranks (50T outer diameter), while 130mm is used for 53T outer diameter.

Are all Shimano crank arms compatible?

Shimano road cranks are interchangeable between other component levels that utilize the dual pinch bolt. Nearly all pinch-bolt style Shimano road cranks are able to be interchanged in equivalent lengths.

Do all cranks fit all bottom brackets?

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 what size crankset to buy?

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.