All biking enthusiasts face this problem at least once in their lifetime. The dreaded crank removal. While it does sound like a scary thing, it actually is pretty easy if you follow instructions. Due to many bikers opting for the wonderful Fluid Nitro bicycle model, this step-by-step instruction will use this model as an example, although the instruction may be applied to practically every other bike model. Before we start, we will explain the purpose of the bike crank and why should one remove it, in case you are a beginner or just want to learn more about the wonderful anatomical world of mountain biking. Enjoy!
Why Fluid Nitro Mountain Bike?
You are probably wondering why did we choose this particular bike as an example? The first reason is that the Fluid Nitro bike is one of the most balanced entry-level bikes one can buy. Its lightweight frame, great design that comes in various dimensions, and affordable price make this bike one of the most popular choices for bicycle enthusiasts that have just started enjoying the mountain trails.
Having said that, it is more than likely that these new bikers are in need of some maintenance tips. As such, the most common question all biking professionals get is how does one remove the crank?
What are Cranks for and How Do I Remove Them?
The cranks are part of the crankset of a bike, which are the “arms” that are located between the pedals of a bike and the chain. To sound a bit scientific, it transfers your leg movement energy into the chains, which further rotate your back wheel. Or in layman’s terms, it makes your bike move, which is the main purpose of the bike and one of the main bike parts that you need to take care of.
It is important to often check your crank, especially after mountain riding. Firstly, do an ocular assessment of your cranks. Check for any dents or other physical and visible damages. Jerk it a few times, if they do not wobble but stay firmly in place, you are good. If everything is alright, clean it all from grime and dirt with a brush or damp cloth, and your bike has been taken care of. However, if you notice that the set has been damaged, and you want to change it on your own, then follow the steps below.
Step by Step Instruction on Crank Removal
You just need the crank so you need to detach everything from it. The first step is removing the pedal, which is fairly easy. Just remove the screw that connects the arm to the pedal, and then loosen the pinch bolts. After that, just pull the pedal and it will come off.
The second step is to remove the crank’s center cap. There is a little cap that covers the bolt in the center of the crankset, after removing that cap, clean it a bit before loosening it.
The third step is to physically remove the pinch bolts, the ones that hold the arm to the pedal post and to the spindle. Usually, an Allen key is used to twist the bolts until they are loose before using a wrench to completely remove them.
The fourth step is to remove the washers that are located between the pedal post and the arm of the crank. The washer actually neutralizes the friction when the crank is turned, though not completely.
The fifth step is removing the spindle from the arm. This is a delicate step as the spindle can be easily damaged if mishandled. Proceed with care and do not tug it off, use a wrench or a key if necessary to unscrew.
The penultimate step is pulling out the arm, if everything is nice and loose, you are good to go. Gently pull one side at a time, then lift it a bit before pulling it completely off. While they are off, you can clean the parts on the bike a bit, if you wish.
The final step is putting the new stuff back into its place! You can follow the steps above but in reverse, but here is a quick guide on putting the crank back.
So the first step for putting a new or any crank back into your Fluid Nitro Mountain Bike is to put the cranks into the spindles. The best way is to place the arm pointing at the bottom and slide the first crank onto the spindle, it must be lined correctly, be cautious. If everything is lined, tighten the pinch bolt and replace the compression cap. The second step is the same, but the one pointing at the top is having a spindle slid into it. Again everything must be lined up before tightening the bolt and replacing the cap.
The third step is to screw in the bolt of the crank using a key, after which you tighten the pinch bolts and place the compression cap. The final step is reattaching the pedals to the arms, however, some beginners tighten it too much – avoid this, as it can further damage the whole crankset.
And that is it, you are ready to ride into the sunset and enjoy nature on your mountain bike.
Conclusion
All biking enthusiasts face this problem at least once in their lifetime. To be honest, it does sound frightening, but it actually is pretty easy if you follow instructions. And again, many bikers opt for the Fluid Nitro bicycle model, which is a great entry-level mountain bicycle, which is why this step-by-step instruction uses this model as an example. Keep in mind that these instructions may be applied to practically every other bike model. We hope you learned more about the purpose of the bike crank and why should one remove it, and hope that you learned more if you are a beginner or an expert in this wonderful hobby.
