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What’s wrong with this BB and/or crank?

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What’s wrong with this BB and/or crank?

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Old 08-19-21, 08:25 PM
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GBK233
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What’s wrong with this BB and/or crank?

Picked up a Trek Alpha 1.5 beater bike to use with my Cycleops trainer. Bike pedals fine. Was lubing my spd pedals and noticed the gap between the crank arm and bottom bracket. Is the arm just not tightened down enough…or is there a collar or something missing?
I just ordered a crank puller and bottom bracket tool. Crank is an FSA Vero square crank.



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Old 08-19-21, 08:32 PM
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If the crank isn't loose, don't do anything. It's normal to see a gap with square-taper cranks. Old-school square-taper cranks showed a lot of spindle.
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Old 08-19-21, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
If the crank isn't loose, don't do anything. It's normal to see a gap with square-taper cranks. Old-school square-taper cranks showed a lot of spindle.
it’s def not loose. Tried to get crank loose, but zero luck…that’s why I ordered a crank puller. So dirt etc getting in that gap won’t affect BB bearings?
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Old 08-19-21, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by GBK233
it’s def not loose. Tried to get crank loose, but zero luck…that’s why I ordered a crank puller. So dirt etc getting in that gap won’t affect BB bearings?
The bottom bracket has sealed cartridge bearings, so they should be fine. It's not the crank's job to protect them.
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Old 08-19-21, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
The bottom bracket has sealed cartridge bearings, so they should be fine. It's not the crank's job to protect them.
That’s good news. Well, now I’ll have tools to service/replace the BB cartridge if/when it’s necessary. Is a cartridge setup serviceable(regreasing etc)….or do you just replace them when they start to fail?
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Old 08-19-21, 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by GBK233
That’s good news. Well, now I’ll have tools to service/replace the BB cartridge if/when it’s necessary. Is a cartridge setup serviceable(regreasing etc)….or do you just replace them when they start to fail?
Sadly, most of them are non-serviceable, but it'll be good to have all the tools you need. Hopefully, that day is far off.
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Old 08-19-21, 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Sadly, most of them are non-serviceable, but it'll be good to have all the tools you need. Hopefully, that day is far off.
From what I’ve read….the cartridges seem pretty cheap should I need to replace it.
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