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Before you check how tight the
chainring bolts are, it’s worth undoing
each one in turn and coating the thread
with copper-based anti-seize compound
before refitting. This prevents corrosion
and stops the bolts seizing up.
Check the crank bolts for tightness by
holding one crank absolutely still while
you try to move the other one. Test for
movement from side to side as well as
backwards and forwards. Then apply
the test to the other crank.
To tighten up the crank bolts, grasp one
crank firmly with one hand to hold the
chainset still. Then apply as much force
with a torque wrench or hexagon key as
you can with the other. Don’t forget to
tighten the other crank as well.
When you’ve tightened both crank
bolts, check that the thread of both
crank bolt covers is lightly coated with
anti-seize grease. Then tighten the
covers, where fitted, with a pin spanner
so they won’t come out while you’re
riding.
1
2
3
4
ChECking
thE CRAnks
All the power that you generate with
your legs passes through the chainset
and the bottom bracket bearings,
which means that the hexagon bolts
holding the cranks onto the bottom
bracket must be kept very tight. We
recommend using a torque wrench
but a long hexagon key will do.
You won’t be able to tighten them
enough with a standard one.
If you ever hear a creaking noise from
the bottom bracket, it may be a sign
that one or other of the crank bolts
need tightening. Don’t ride a bike
with creaking cranks or you’ll damage
them and it’ll be impossible to ever
tighten them properly again. From
time to time, it’s also worth checking
that the bolts holding the chainrings
to the cranks are tight.
Most models are fitted with a sealed
bottom bracket to prevent water
entry but eventually, the bearings will
start to wear. This causes movement
or play that will affect the gear
change and waste your energy, so
make regular checks.
Checking the
bottom bracket
To test for wear in the bottom bracket
bearings, take hold of the ends of
both cranks and try to rock them from
side to side. If only one crank seems
to move, it’s loose on the axle and the
crank bolts should be tightened up
before you ride the bike again.
On the other hand, if both cranks
move sideways the same amount, the
bottom bracket bearings have got
some play in them.
Sometimes the bearings can be
adjusted to eliminate this play but if
it’s a modern, sealed bottom bracket,
the whole thing has to be replaced. In
either case, it’s a job for your retailer.
However, depending on how much
you use your bike, it’s unlikely to need
doing for several years.
