Is a unsealed crank bad on a bike?

1. When should you replace bike cranks?
2. How do I know if my crank bearings are bad on my bike?
3. How long do bike crank bearings last?
4. Do cranksets wear out?
5. How long should a crankset last?
6. What does a bad bottom bracket sound like?
7. How do I check my bike bearings?
8. Why does my bottom bracket creak?
9. How long do sealed bottom brackets last?
10. Why is there play in my crankset?
11. When I pedal my bike it makes a clicking noise?
12. How often should you grease bottom bracket?
13. Can you service a sealed bottom bracket?

When should you replace bike cranks?

After 5,400 miles it is reasonable to replace the rear cassette and chain. The front chainrings may need replacing if they have been ridden with a wornout chain. The rest of the crank: the spindle cranks and spider should be fine. Sometimes it is cheaper to replace the whole crankset.

How do I know if my crank bearings are bad on my bike?

Worn out or dry bearings will feel rough, metallic and dry. Sometimes they're so dry that if you pull your finger fast across the axle you can make the axle keep spinning because there's no grease inside the bearings to slow it down.

How long do bike crank bearings last?

It depends on too many factors to make any generalizations. Properly adjusted, and discounting weather related factors, all the bearings on a bike should last close to forever. Back in the bad old days of "primitive" steel spindles and threaded cup bottom brackets, most would outlast the bike, or 25-50,000+ miles.

Do cranksets wear out?

"Chains, chainrings and cassettes all wear together," he says. "If a rider goes too long on one chain and/or doesn't clean and lubricate their drivetrain regularly then the replacement costs can be high. "Keeping an eye on chain wear is the best way to prolong cassette and chainring lifespan.

How long should a crankset last?

Chainsets should last lots more than 4000 miles. Any club rider would easily put that in in a years riding. Its only 80 miles a week.

What does a bad bottom bracket sound like?

Every mechanic dreads the moment when a customer comes into the store with a creaking bottom bracket. While the poor bottom bracket gets blamed for creaking, very often the cause is found elsewhere. ... Many creaks on a bike sound very similar to a creaking bottom bracket.

How do I check my bike bearings?

The most basic method of checking your wheel bearings is listening for a dull whooshing sound that would indicate that they're dry. The front bearings can be checked by simply holding the front end of the bike up with one hand and giving the wheel a sharp spin with the other.

Why does my bottom bracket creak?

Most surprisingly, what often sounds like a bottom bracket creak is actually something else. Most of the time, the true cause is a loose chainring bolt—tighten them up and that'll quiet most creaks. ... Remove each bolt with an 8mm hex wrench or 14mm socket wrench, then grease and retighten them.

How long do sealed bottom brackets last?

They can get "brinneled" or damaged in a crash or something, but 1500 miles is absurd. As for a bottom bracket, on the low end, maybe 5000 miles. The basic Shimano one most people use (UN51/55/similar) can reasonably expect 10k+ miles. But sometimes you get unlucky and get a bottom bracket that lasts maybe 500 miles.

Why is there play in my crankset?

In Shimano cranks the plastic bolt is hand tightened prior to tightening the pinch bolts to 'preload' the bearings and take up play. When the plastic bolt is tightened the crank arms press on the inner bearing races only which is what takes up the play.

When I pedal my bike it makes a clicking noise?

A bent derailleur hanger, or one that is out of alignment, can cause a constant clicking sound while pedaling. The derailleur hanger might be visibly bent or off if it's bad enough. ... Sometimes a creaking noise can occur from the derailleur hanger rubbing against the frame where it's mounted.

How often should you grease bottom bracket?

Best practice 1-2 years depending on use and grease quality. If you're cycling in a lot of rain or off-road 3-9 months is a better bet. If it's a cheap bb and you don't care about failure then let it eat so long as it's adjusted and running smooth.

Can you service a sealed bottom bracket?

Servicing them may be possible only if the design has the bearing seals exposed. Full one piece sealed cartridge style bottom brackets (octalink,square taper) are simply replace only. Depending on which sealed cartridge you have, you would need the appropriate tool to remove and replace them.