Frequent removal/refitting of square taper crank harmful?

[scotsbikester]

Is it? Maybe once a week?

 

[Big John]

Maybe or maybe not but the burning question is why would you? Usually you fit and forget or at least until things wear out.

 

[fossyant]

Yup, why ?

 

[scotsbikester]

Yup, why ?

Thanks.

In what way would it be harmful? Damage to the BB spindle? Or the crank arm? Or the crank bolt?

 

[scotsbikester]

Maybe or maybe not but the burning question is why would you? Usually you fit and forget or at least until things wear out.

This isn't "usually" then.

What way may it be harmful?

 

[fossyant]

Repeated fitting could damage and enlarge the taper on the cranks. They aren't designed for weekly removal. Why would you do it. You could also damage the thread for the crank removal tool - easy to do. More you do it, the more potential for an error.

But why would you do this ?

 

[Webbo2]

This isn't "usually" then.

What way may it be harmful?

You could also damage the threads on the frame by repeated loosening and tightening the cups.
Back in the day when these were the norm it would be a once a year job unless you had a problem.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Is it? Maybe once a week?

Several people have answered your question, and asked you a subsequent question for clarity about why you would consider doing it.

Do you have an answer for them?

 

[Big John]

It's a wind up 👍

 

[Ajax Bay]

Is it [harmful]? Maybe once a week?

Is there anything else you do, "maybe once a week" on your own, that might be harmful, say to your eyesight?

 

[I like Skol]

Taper cranks are a friction fit. Every fit/removal abrades the crank (usually soft aluminium on a hardened spindle). The crank also deforms slightly with each fitting, so repeated removal/refitting will alter the taper fitting until it is eventually too loose to tighten onto the spindle.

 

[scotsbikester]

You could also damage the threads on the frame by repeated loosening and tightening the cups.
Back in the day when these were the norm it would be a once a year job unless you had a problem.

Thanks. I wasn't imagining changing the bottom bracket, just the RHS (driveside) chainset and crank.

 

[scotsbikester]

Repeated fitting could damage and enlarge the taper on the cranks. They aren't designed for weekly removal. Why would you do it. You could also damage the thread for the crank removal tool - easy to do. More you do it, the more potential for an error.

But why would you do this ?

thanks.

 

[mickle]

Nope.

 

[Punkawallah]

Potentially, but I can’t see you wanting to remove one on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.