Crank movement

[Twilkes]

FFS this bike is falling apart.....

There is some play in the crank - the chainrings, cranks and pedals all move together, maybe 0.5-1mm movement at the edge of the chainring when I try to pull the pedals back and forth sideways.

Noticed some squeaking about a week ago, and the last few days have noticed a looseness while stationary with my feet on the pedals, which led me to check whether everything was tight or not.

I'm thinking bottom bracket, although I don't really know what that is - could it just need tightening or is it likely to need replacing?

If replacement, what would I need to order? It's a 2007 Raleigh Pioneer that had Shimano hardware if that helps with identifying likely bottom brackets (whatever they are).

 

[accountantpete]

Could just need a tighten up (occasionally the BB cups can work loose) but equally possible that the bearings have gone.

You will need to identify which BB tool you need - there are many different types- in order to tighten the cups up.

If the bearings are gone you will need a crank extractor and a BB tool/ some heaving to get the BB shell off - then take the old BB out and buy a like for like replacement (it has to be the same length and axle type).

I'd take it to the LBS unless you are determined to do all the repairs yourself.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Bulging tyres,knackered bottom bracket
Definately time for N+1

 

[Mile195]

Agreed. Bottom Bracket. I had a mountain bike that failed fairly spectacularly over time. It was only a cheap mountain bike, with cup and bearing type bracket and had got to the point where I had to throw a load of oil into the crank every time I used it. When I finally got round to taking it apart, the bearing cages literally disintegrated as I removed them.

Replaced it with a sealed shimano unit. £20 from Decathlon. You'll need a couple of special tools to do the same with yours (crank puller (about £13) and the relevant spanners to remove the retaining cups), but they won't cost you too much.

 

[Twilkes]

Bulging tyres,knackered bottom bracket
Definately time for N+1

I think the appropriate formula is 'N+1 = 1 when N→0'

 

[Twilkes]

Replaced it with a sealed shimano unit. £20 from Decathlon.

Would any bottom bracket fit any frame, or would it be a case of checking the size and type as above?

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Would any bottom bracket fit any frame, or would it be a case of checking the size and type as above?

From my limited experience there are different types of fittment where the cranks attach to it, isis, octalink, square taper etc. Then there is the diameter of the threads and the length of the axle/spindle. You could get it off the manufacturers website, but if it's anything like the Specialized one I would take little notice of it. As they quoted the wrong spindle length for mine, I bought the BB only to find it was 3mm too short compared to the one that I took out. So I had to put the old one back in.

 

[Mile195]

Looks like a fairly straightforward, reasonably priced touring bike from the thumbnails on google.

I very much doubt there'll be anything clever or complicated about it, and you'll most likely be able to go for a similar budget option. My mountain bike (also a raleigh, but lower price bracket) had a square-taper crank. If you're not sure though, ask them in the shop where you buy the bracket from. Most places will be happy to advise. There are different threads available for the bracket itself, but I expect yours will be the british standard (which I think has a left-hand thread on one side, but don't quote me - I can't remember for sure), so it'll be easy to obtain.