Another bike question…How loose (AKA ability to spin) is the crank supposed to be. When I pedal backwards (& forwards for that matter), there seems to be a bit of resistence, def. more than with my other bike. I took the chain off to see if it was tension from the chain, and it’s not. If you spin your pedals/crank backwards with your hand, isn’t it supposed to do a few rotations before stopping? Mine turns like 1/2 a rotation then stops. Seems like when I pedal I’m working against tension. Is something too tight? Bike is 5 months old so don’t think anything is worn out. Any ideas? Thanks.
I’m interested in the answer to this. My new crank is similar to yours (maybe a bit more than 1/2 a turn though). I have been meaning to go to my LBS and question them about it but haven’t got around to it yet.
it should easily spin several rotations. i’d have some one take it out and reinstall it and check it.
I brought the bike to the shop, really good mechanic there (was Lance’s tour mechanic in the past so he knows what he’s doing), he took it apart, looked at bearings, really couldn’t figure it out, put it back together. Charged me $20 and it pretty much is the same, stiff/not spinning well. What do I do? If he can’t figure it out then who can. My bike is 5 months old only. Crap. I have a race Sunday, realize I’ve been pedaling against unnecessary resistance.
you may just need to get new bearings. you should have very little resistance, like the above poster said, several easy spins should be the norm. it could be the seating also, if your cups arent seated propperly, you will have some tension placed on the crank arms.
just a thought.
what brand and model of crank and BB?
what brand and model of crank and BB?
Shimano Ultegra SL, only used for 5 months. Maybe I can send the crank back?
I’m guessing that the bolt was put on too tight. (I’m assuming it’s an external BB.) It doesn’t take much to tighten it, about .7-1.5 Newton meters, or roughly 6-13 in-lbs. The external bottom bracket will have slightly more resistance than the internal version, but you should definitely get more than half a spin out of it. Good Luck.
not sure about sending it back. you could double check it if is truly adjusted correctly.
while very stiff, external BB cranks (unfortunately most of the ones made today) have a lot of bearing drag. that is why i use internal bearing BBs on my race bikes.