Old 01-14-23, 11:01 PM
  #20  
Sorcerer
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It wasn't until eBay where I have purchased some crank arms that loosened, and one that cracked open around the taper.

I sort of attribute this to the adage: You get what you pay for.

However, I have bikes with used cranks from eBay on them, mostly White Industries, that I ride hard on a regular basis.

Anyway, used stuff, and pre-owned, is a bit of crap shoot.

That said, until I bought cranks on eBay, I was in the install them tight, and after a ride or two only snug up the crank bolts until they stay on (below threshold) thereafter, using only a 7" long spanner (Park tool).

This is how I was taught from an old Schwinn bikes shop when I was a kid. I never questioned it.

The paradigm seemed to be that the crank bolt wrench handle length would prevent over-torque.

[ I was at the same time told not to grease the tapers.]

Then one day I had the experience of a creak that wouldn't go away, and as a last resort I retorqued the cranks, and voila, the creak went away. It was a single speed.

At the moment I am lost in the fog on the matter. After some recent related experience with PF30 bottom brackets I have become a firm believer in torque wrench usage.

Love square taper stuff as much as I love 27.2 seat tubes.

I'm no expert on this matter. This is my experience.
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