How complicated is it to replace a crankset?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 480
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist / Cervelo P3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How complicated is it to replace a crankset?
The extent of my mechanical skills and experience has been to change tires, replace / remove chains, and change rear cassettes. I have an FSA compact crank & BB on one of my bikes and I would like to put powercranks on there periodically for training, returning to the compact for non-trainer riding.
How complicated a task is this, and what tools will I need?
Thanks,
How complicated a task is this, and what tools will I need?
Thanks,
__________________
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
#2
Batteries not included.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: podunk, FL
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Well, it sorta depends which type of FSA compact cranks you have... there are some with the semi-integrated MegaExo BB, and others that use the ISIS style.
If you have the integrated style BB, it'd be a huge PITA since you'd have to completely remove the BB, put a standard BB style in, and then attach the Powercranks, and make sure to get everything back in adjustment again. And then do the reverse to switch back. Can't really give you a more specific answer, since the tools involved depend on what sort of replacement BB you choose, in addition to the special spanner wrench for the MegaExo.
If you have the ISIS type, you've lucked out and all you need is an allen wrench to remove the bolts, pull the cranks off, put the new ones on and put the bolts back in. (That is, of course, assuming that you buy the Powercranks with the right style to match the existing ISIS BB.)
If you have the integrated style BB, it'd be a huge PITA since you'd have to completely remove the BB, put a standard BB style in, and then attach the Powercranks, and make sure to get everything back in adjustment again. And then do the reverse to switch back. Can't really give you a more specific answer, since the tools involved depend on what sort of replacement BB you choose, in addition to the special spanner wrench for the MegaExo.
If you have the ISIS type, you've lucked out and all you need is an allen wrench to remove the bolts, pull the cranks off, put the new ones on and put the bolts back in. (That is, of course, assuming that you buy the Powercranks with the right style to match the existing ISIS BB.)
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 77
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When my cranks went to hell last year I replaced the entire BB and crankset without much trouble. The tutorials on the Park Tool website are super-detailed and got me through the job perfectly (had never done it before). Took me a couple hours but I wanted to make sure I got it right the first time around, I'm sure you could actually do it in an hour or so if you wanted to.
It might take some time to do everything, but it's not exceptionally difficult - it'd be a somewhat similar type of job to the cassette/hub so if you can handle that it shouldn't be a major pain.
--Illah
It might take some time to do everything, but it's not exceptionally difficult - it'd be a somewhat similar type of job to the cassette/hub so if you can handle that it shouldn't be a major pain.
--Illah
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 480
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist / Cervelo P3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's an ISIS BB, so it looks like I've lucked out.
__________________
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 480
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist / Cervelo P3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Illah
When my cranks went to hell last year I replaced the entire BB and crankset without much trouble. The tutorials on the Park Tool website are super-detailed and got me through the job perfectly (had never done it before). Took me a couple hours but I wanted to make sure I got it right the first time around, I'm sure you could actually do it in an hour or so if you wanted to.
It might take some time to do everything, but it's not exceptionally difficult - it'd be a somewhat similar type of job to the cassette/hub so if you can handle that it shouldn't be a major pain.
--Illah
It might take some time to do everything, but it's not exceptionally difficult - it'd be a somewhat similar type of job to the cassette/hub so if you can handle that it shouldn't be a major pain.
--Illah
__________________
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
2007 QR Lucero
2005 Cervelo Soloist
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Newcastle Australia
Posts: 1,185
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by chrisesposito
I'm not sure I knew that Park Tools had videos; I'll have to look at this one. Thanks.
they aren't, its a written tutorial with really good pictures that actually help.