Mountain Biking - This looks weird...is it right?

I have a Marin Hawk Hill 15" that I've been having for almost a year. A friend of mine completed assembly on it for me(shipped 90% assembled). Unfortunately I still haven't ridden it yet(work and life keeps getting in the way), but I plan on having more free time this summer so I've been messing around with the bike(installed new grips, bar ends, etc.).

While just giving it the once over, I noticed the left pedal and the crank seemed strange to me. I could see the threads and the pedal didn't look like it was installed all the way or properly. (Pics of this below) Sorry that they're not clearer. It just seems like the top of the crank arm should be flush with the frame(or whatever...not too sure with terminology). The way it is now seems like when I do go riding, dirt, dust etc. will get all up in there.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/globe9/MarinHawkHill002.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/globe9/MarinHawkHill003.jpg

Does this look right to you? If not, is it an easy adjustment? I'm not too mechanically inclined, but I may be able to do it myself, or should I bring it to a LBS?
Thanks!

unless you know what you're doing and have the tools, take it to a lbs

You're right, there's something odd here

Looks correct. If you measure from the center of the frame to the center of each crank arm, you will probably see that the distance is equal or nearly so.

Looks correct. If you measure from the center of the frame to the center of each crank arm, you will probably see that the distance is equal or nearly so.

that pic makes the gap look 1" wide

Looks fine to me.

yep, looks good to me.

I'd get it checked out. I've never seen a gap like that before.

Joe

the gap looks fine, but I'd still have an LBS give the whole thing a once over.

I don't necessarily see a problem. Different bottom brackets have different spindle lengths that can affect the spacing of the cranks.

I'd have an LBS look the bike over and snug/torque any bolts and adjust the brakes/derailleurs....for your safety!

I don't necessarily see a problem. Different bottom brackets have different spindle lengths that can affect the spacing of the cranks.

that's why its difficult to tell from the pic...did they use the right BB?, or are they using a longer spindle because they're using the wrong peddles and need that length to clear the chain stays?

best that someone who can see what's going on here take a look at this

There is no way that somebody can look at this picture and say there is something wrong. I see absolutely NOTHING wrong. But I can't tell if your bolts are tight. If you are concerned recheck them. There is a 10 mm head holding that crank on.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/globe9/MarinHawkHill002.jpg

You're right, there's something odd here


What is odd?

What is odd?

from the pic it looks like you can get a finger betwen the crank and the BB, perhaps in canada we build them different, but I doubt it.

I've yet to see a bike with what looks to be a one inch gap, my only thought is that they've used a longer spindle to give the crank enough room to clear the chain stays

what you think?

Why do people insist on repling when they have no idea what they're on about?

what you think?

I think it looks fine. a bit on the long side maybe, but you are never going to get it so short that debris won't fly in there.

Spindle length should be determined by the drive side chainrings and the crankset.


that's why its difficult to tell from the pic...did they use the right BB?, or are they using a longer spindle because they're using the wrong peddles and need that length to clear the chain stays?


How does the type of pedal have any bearing on the bb spindle length? the pedal is 2cm ( or more)removed from the inboard side of the crank. If the crank has clearance, you are not going to find a pedal that will give you an issue.

The Q factor might be on the high side, but again it looks fine, as long as everything is tight

from the pic it looks like you can get a finger betwen the crank and the BB, perhaps in canada we build them different, but I doubt it.

I've yet to see a bike with what looks to be a one inch gap, my only thought is that they've used a longer spindle to give the crank enough room to clear the chain stays

what you think?

I can tell you from experience that these posted pics online distort sizes severely at times. I seriously doubt there is an inch gap. And you can get a finger between the crank and bb on the bike that is sitting here in front of me. It is only my pinkie finger but that is still a finger.

Again, you can find NOTHING wrong by looking at the picture. Even if you were right that the spindle was too long, the problem would manifest on the other side of the frame. And even then we are not looking at a safety issue rather an issue of performance.

I'd get it checked out. I've never seen a gap like that before.

Joe


that's what she said (i love when i get to use that)

There's obviously a problem there that is caused by too little air pressure. Thanks for the tip jm01.

BTW, does my chain look weird...I think it might be too big for my bike.

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/powerlink.jpg
yup id say you need a smaller chain:D

Why do people insist on repling when they have no idea what they're on about?

Well you replied........

definately get it checked out and i wouldn't suggest riding it till you do, same thing happened to me and the teeth of the center part of the crank got worn down and now i'm paying 200 for a part for a $1100 bike i got a week ago

There is a 10 mm head holding that crank on.


Actually, it's an 8mm.

Does the crank arm feel loose at all? Any wobble? If not then it's fine. The angle of the picture and the flash make the gap look bigger than it is.


are they using a longer spindle because they're using the wrong peddles and need that length to clear the chain stays?

If your pedals are on the inside of your cranks I don't think you need to give others advice;)

Well you replied........

I was commenting on the general dumbarsery in the thread not the spindle length, and im an expert in dumbarsery (yes ive petitioned Websters to have it included). You should know, you've met me :)

I was commenting on the general dumbarsery in the thread not the spindle length, and im an expert in dumbarsery (yes ive petitioned Websters to have it included). You should know, you've met me :)
:roflmao:

Actually, it's an 8mm.

;)

Whoops. My bad. Obviously I don't remove my cranks every day. :)

Whoops. My bad. Obviously I don't remove my cranks every day. :)
No prob'

If it had been a regular (non allen) bolt or nut it would have been 14mm.

Thanks for all the replys. The other side of the crank is not that far away from the frame at all and although the pic makes the gap look huge, it really IS almost that huge, that's what had me going hmmmm....
I've got about half saying it looks fine and another half telling me get it checked out....thanks for the help :) LOL I'll take it to the LBS...how much should something like this cost to have checked out? I got the bike online(i know this is why I should have bought from LBS, but I got a Hawk Hill for under $300...never could have done that at LBS and I did test ride and all before purchasing)...just wondering on what a mechanic is gonna charge for just looking and telling me it's fine(if it is) or nope, needs to be adjusted? Thanks again!

A good shop will look for free and tell you what it'll cost to fix if it needs attention.

no need to go to a shop.
insert a 8mm allen wrench
tighten.
grab cold beer
drink
Problem solved.

I'd be curious to hear what the LBS says. And no, the crank arm isn't always supposed to be flush with the BB shell. For instance, here's a pic of my Ruffian's setup:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/153445939-M.jpg

Different BB than yours, but still showing a significant gap.

And looking at the BB your bike uses...

http://www.sram.com/_media/images/common/truvativ/bottombrackets/powerspline_large.gif

...by design you're going to see a gap between the BB shell and the crankarm.

Of course, like others have said, camera angles can be deceiving, and we have no way of knowing if the crankarm is torqued properly. Let us know what you find out.

(And yes, my bike needs a washing.:o )

When in doubt take it to the lbs. Looks fine, though.

Take it to the LBS if you must but don't be suprised when they look at it and tell you it is fine. It's extremely basic. THe crank is held on by a bolt, you can see it in the picture. If the bolt is tight, then there is no problem. Why not just put a 8 mm wrench in there and try to tighten? I think a monkey could be shown to do it.

If your BB spindle is too long it will just likely cause the front derailleur to shift improperly.

Hey Peek: maybe you should take yours in to get checked out too! There is clearly something odd there... ;)

Hey Peek: maybe you should take yours in to get checked out too! There is clearly something odd there... ;)
Yeah, whatever it is it's obviously making me slower than I should be. I'd be dropping everybody if it weren't for that dang gap.

heres my bike
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i41/FlatFender_2006/100_0434.jpg

If it had been a regular (non allen) bolt or nut it would have been 14mm.

Or 15mm. Or 16mm.

Or 15mm. Or 16mm.
14's more common