cranks appear loose?

"marc_9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.
However over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little.
That is when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward
slightly - maybe around 2 or 3mm.
I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt, but to no avail. Found it
already tight.
Not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?
Regards
marc

Sounds more like your freewheel is not engaging correctly.
Common with cheap or heavily-used freewheels.

Can you move the cranks with your hands when pushing
each side in the opposite direction? i.e. do the cranks
feel like they are moving when you push/pull them with
your hands?

hippy

Marc_9 said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it. However
over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little. That is
when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward slightly -
maybe around 2 or 3mm. I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt, but
to no avail. Found it already tight. Not sure what else to do. Any
suggestions? Regards marc

Sounds like the bearings are the problem. If you know what you are doin
take out the cranks and have a look at the bottom bracket, otherwis
take it to your local bike shop

-

Yep, had a closer look at the rear derailuer and noticed the guide and
3rd gear weren't lined up properly. I believe I adjusted it - new to
all this. Maybe that might be the problem. Wont know until I try it
out on the road this arvo.

The bike is quite heavily used, and it is a relatively cheap mtbike.
It's an Apollo LSR 1.0 from 2002 (purchased for $380 in 2003). Tourney
gears and alum frame. I like though. I carry my 3 year old on a child
carrier to kindy several times a week. Done alot of work, and found I
made back my money in saved petrol costs in less than 10 to 11 months!
This was not the reason why I bought the bike in the first place, but
it was a pleasant surprise.
Find the marginally heavier frame gives a more stable ride when
carrying the bub in the back. My wife's Giant Boulder SE, which is
about a kilo lighter is not as good, particularly when being walked
around with a 17kg kid on the back.
Regards
marc

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"marc_9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.
However over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little.
That is when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward
slightly - maybe around 2 or 3mm.
I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt, but to no avail. Found it
already tight.
Not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?
Regards
marc

Sounds more like your freewheel is not engaging correctly.
Common with cheap or heavily-used freewheels.

Can you move the cranks with your hands when pushing
each side in the opposite direction? i.e. do the cranks
feel like they are moving when you push/pull them with
your hands?

hippy

yup, I agree.. had to replace my bottom bracket on my Apollo LSX 1.4 (2002)
after only 3000kms.. it fell apart when it was removed...

"Spider1977" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Marc_9 said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.

However

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little. That is
when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward slightly -
maybe around 2 or 3mm. I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to no avail. Found it already tight. Not sure what else to do. Any
suggestions? Regards marc

Sounds like the bearings are the problem. If you know what you are doing
take out the cranks and have a look at the bottom bracket, otherwise
take it to your local bike shop.

--

Marc_9 said:

Yep, had a closer look at the rear derailuer and noticed the guide and
3rd gear weren't lined up properly. I believe I adjusted it - new to all
this. Maybe that might be the problem. Wont know until I try it out on
the road this arvo.
The bike is quite heavily used, and it is a relatively cheap mtbike.
It's an Apollo LSR 1.0 from 2002 (purchased for $380 in 2003). Tourney
gears and alum frame. I like though. I carry my 3 year old on a child
carrier to kindy several times a week. Done alot of work, and found I
made back my money in saved petrol costs in less than 10 to 11 months!
This was not the reason why I bought the bike in the first place, but it
was a pleasant surprise. Find the marginally heavier frame gives a more
stable ride when carrying the bub in the back. My wife's Giant Boulder
SE, which is about a kilo lighter is not as good, particularly when
being walked around with a 17kg kid on the back. Regards marc
"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"marc_9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5620cceb.0401-
[email hidden]:5620cceb.0401310331.38ad81a@pos-
ting.google.com...

Quoted message said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.
However over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little.
That is when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward
slightly - maybe around 2 or 3mm. I tried tightening the crank
retaining bolt, but to no avail. Found it already tight. Not sure
what else to do. Any suggestions? Regards marc

Sounds more like your freewheel is not engaging correctly. Common with
cheap or heavily-used freewheels.

Can you move the cranks with your hands when pushing each side in the
opposite direction? i.e. do the cranks feel like they are moving when
you push/pull them with your hands?

hippy

The initial description suggests a problem with the bottom bracket (BB).
If you have wrecked the joint on your cranck arm where it holds on to
the BB, tightenting won't help. But if this is a problem, crank keeps
coming loose over and over.

Misalignment of the guide pulley and cogs causes noisy operration under
all times. The gear change may be affected, and depending on the
misalignment, chain may jump between gears under load. But these are all
noisy. The BB problem is usually silent. Although such a problem is
preceeded by creaking noise during pedalling. Creaks are the first signs
when bearing-operated mechanisms need maintenance.

Apparently, there has been another problem with the drivetrain that
seems to be fixed now. Your initial problem must still be with the BB.

The problem with cheap bikes is that they are not meant for high
mileage. If you intend to keep on riding frequently, especially carrying
someone important, why not upgrading to something worthwhile.
Reliability is one gain, but comfort and improved functionality are
other major benefits. That is of course if you want.

--

Thanks everyone,
Most of you were right about the crank bearings being worn out. Had
them changed yesterday.
marc

"GPLama" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

yup, I agree.. had to replace my bottom bracket on my Apollo LSX 1.4 (2002)
after only 3000kms.. it fell apart when it was removed...

"Spider1977" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Marc_9 said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.

However

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little. That is
when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward slightly -
maybe around 2 or 3mm. I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to no avail. Found it already tight. Not sure what else to do. Any
suggestions? Regards marc

Sounds like the bearings are the problem. If you know what you are doing
take out the cranks and have a look at the bottom bracket, otherwise
take it to your local bike shop.

--

Most of the cheaper models have low quality bottom brackets that wear out
well before the rest of the bike, if the cranks are sloppy when you move
them from left to right this is what it is. If you have it replaced use a
sealed unit. They cost a bit more but never wear out under normal use. P.S.
The giant boulder has a weakness in its back axle the quick release axle iss
made of drop forged plasticine and can bend and break at the most
inconveinet time like mine did crossing four lanes of traffic, its best to
replace it with a quality solid axle before it does

Regards Matt

----- Original Message -----
From: marc_9 <[email hidden]>
Newsgroups: aus.bicycle
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 10:31 PM
Subject: cranks appear loose?

Quoted message said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.
However over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little.
That is when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward
slightly - maybe around 2 or 3mm.
I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt, but to no avail. Found it
already tight.
Not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?
Regards
marc

marc_9 <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My mtbike was bought a year ago and I have no problems with it.
However over the last week or so, my cranks appear to give a little.
That is when I push/accelerate a little harder, it jumps a forward
slightly - maybe around 2 or 3mm.
I tried tightening the crank retaining bolt, but to no avail. Found it
already tight.
Not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?
Regards
marc