hey guys great site. I have an older bike, 2000 gt saddleback. Nothing great and i hope to upgrade in a few months but money it tight right now. I somehow bent the chainrings on the bike. I am wanting to fix and was wondering if getting a new crankst with chainrings would be the way to go. somthing cheap. Now i have never taken a crankset apart before but i can change chains and sprockets on harleys and dirt bikes so im sure i can figure it out. It looks like im going to need a crank puller? are there different types? also how do know what will fit my bike? I know these are really basic questions but im here to learn.. thanks
noob needs help, questions on crankset replacement
- Thread starter rynb15
- Start date
If you have only bent the chainrings, you don't have to get a whole new crankset (though depending on where you get the parts, it might not be that much different in cost). If you go to your local shop, I'm sure they can give you a few options. If you are looking for a DIY deal, you might want to check ebay for chainrings. You'll have to know the tooth size you need and the BCD (bolt circle diameter). There are a few common sizes, but I couldn't say what yours might be. May want to look here to get a measurement: http://www.blackspire.com/site_assets/www.blackspire.com/images/dynamic/BCD Guide.pdf
If you aren't using the bike heavily and you just want to replace the outer ring or outer and middle, you probably won't have to take the cranks off. If you replace all of them, you will. Obviously, if you replace the crankset, you have to take them off.
Yes, there are different types of crank pullers and you'll need one to get the cranks off. It is most likely that your cranks are square taper, which means they spin on a small diameter, tapered 4 sided steel axle. I highly doubt they are something else, as long as no parts have been changed out on the bike since you got it. You might be able to see the bottom bracket spindle behind the crank, which should give an indication of the type. If you have doubts or that doesn't make sense, take it to a shop and they can tell you. But square taper is 99% sure.
There are good instructions on how to remove/install square taper cranks here:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=103
That website should also provide you with a list of tools and things you might need. Of course, any brand will work, not just Park (but they do make nice tools). Just make sure you are using metric wrenches.
Hope that helps.
If you aren't using the bike heavily and you just want to replace the outer ring or outer and middle, you probably won't have to take the cranks off. If you replace all of them, you will. Obviously, if you replace the crankset, you have to take them off.
Yes, there are different types of crank pullers and you'll need one to get the cranks off. It is most likely that your cranks are square taper, which means they spin on a small diameter, tapered 4 sided steel axle. I highly doubt they are something else, as long as no parts have been changed out on the bike since you got it. You might be able to see the bottom bracket spindle behind the crank, which should give an indication of the type. If you have doubts or that doesn't make sense, take it to a shop and they can tell you. But square taper is 99% sure.
There are good instructions on how to remove/install square taper cranks here:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=103
That website should also provide you with a list of tools and things you might need. Of course, any brand will work, not just Park (but they do make nice tools). Just make sure you are using metric wrenches.
Hope that helps.
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