Southern California - So I was riding my bike yesterday....

going along, having a good day. I had just come down a steep hill in Balboa Park and was getting ready to try and climb the opposite grade to go back up. I shift to an easier gear and push hard on the pedals when....my left crank arm falls off! Of course my right foot was putting as much pressure on the opposite side of the pedal stroke and veered right into the curb, going down. I was pi$$ed! I just picked the bike up last Saturday! Thankfully, the road is a side road and didn't much traffic. I walked the bike back to my car and immeidatly took it to REI in Kearney Mesa. The shop supervisor/Master mechanic was there, so I had the chance to talk to him (really good guy, Surly fanatic). I told Bob what happend and I could tell he was pi$$ed that the bike left his shop without something being properly tourqed (sp?) down. He assured me he would go over the entire bike himself today and closely examine the splines on the crankarm and replace if there is ANY damage. I trust Bob, you can tell he is a bike fanatic and not just "working" there.

That was my first "incident" on a road bike and luckily I just got a few scrapes and chainring bite.

Chris

Sorry to hear that. Cranks, pedals, handlebars, and brakes are items I am anal about because if any of them come loose or break, it's going to hurt! Glad you're alright.

What kind of crank is it? Glad you weren't hurt.

Thanks all! The cranks are FSA gossamer mega exo 2 piece. I guess the the end cap on the left side popped off from what the mechanic was telling yesterday (it's still laying in the road somewhere). I don't blame the parts of the bike (Novara Element) at all, I think it just wasn't went over thouroghly enough before they gave it to me. And that's what the head mechanic was so pi$$ed about! I guess I should have checked it over before I rode it, I just assumed it would be good. Like I said, I feel Bob will make it right. If not, the bike goes back to REI and I go elsewhere.
Chris

I had the same problem. I put the crank arm back on but it kept loosening. It finally sheared off the 8mm bolt. I replaced both sides with steel bolts and it's been fine since.

Well, you're all right, and you've got someone working on the problem.

It sounds as if you need to keep an eye on the REI mechanics, though.

East Hill

It sounds as if you need to keep an eye on the REI mechanics, though.

East Hill

I have a feeling this was a case of some junior guy in a hurry, not paying attention. This wasn't a bike off the floor, it was a special order that, I'm assuming, came in a big box and they had to complete the final assembly.

Chris

I have a feeling this was a case of some junior guy in a hurry, not paying attention. This wasn't a bike off the floor, it was a special order that, I'm assuming, came in a big box and they had to complete the final assembly.

Chris

A special order and they screwed it up? That's not a good way to retain a customer :mad: .

East Hill

This wasn't a bike off the floor, it was a special order that, I'm assuming, came in a big box and they had to complete the final assembly.
They all come in big boxes and require final assembly. :p

glad they are correcting the problem

glad they are correcting the problem

That's my main concern, mistakes get made but as long as they make it right.

I'm not too sure whether the master mechanic there is the one that normally builds up bikes though. :p

I'm not too sure whether the master mechanic there is the one that normally builds up bikes though. :p

Oh, I know for a fact he wasn't the one that put it together, that's why he was so pi$$ed! He did say he, himself, would check over it completly for me today and make it right though.

Glad you're okay, Chris! :eek: I'm going to check my crank arm as I have no idea if it's on tight enough. Scary.

That happened to me once on my fixed gear. I used a cheapo 3 piece bottom bracket to replace the one piece crank arm on a 70's Schwinn Varsity frame. I've since gone back to the one piece crank arm.

I rode it home just using the one pedal. I rested my left foot on the left chainstay - It was really odd to feel the frame flexing slightly as I pedaled. I got some really strange looks that day.

If you have one with an external BB, the left crank arm may be tightened using 2 screws. Tightening one may loosen the other, so just go back and forth between the 2 screws (but don't over tighten them).

Glad you're ok! My FSA Gossamer left crank bolt also worked it's way loose on a ride a while back, I convinced myself that a new crank was the only logical cure:)

Glad you are ok. I had a crankarm break on me (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/213/cranky) in a group at 20+ mph. I was standing, accelerating out of a turn, and it snapped. My foot went to the ground but I didn't go down.


http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1464.jpg

Glad you are ok. I had a crankarm break on me (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/213/cranky) in a group at 20+ mph. I was standing, accelerating out of a turn, and it snapped. My foot went to the ground but I didn't go down.


WOW!!! :eek: That would appear to be quite a bit of power you're putting down!

WOW!!! :eek: That would appear to be quite a bit of power you're putting down!

Verdict was that it was likely weakened by hairline fractures. Still quite a shock and it stresses the importance of being able to recover from unexpected situations like that.

going along, having a good day. I had just come down a steep hill in Balboa Park and was getting ready to try and climb the opposite grade to go back up. I shift to an easier gear and push hard on the pedals when....my left crank arm falls off! Of course my right foot was putting as much pressure on the opposite side of the pedal stroke and veered right into the curb, going down. I was pi$$ed! I just picked the bike up last Saturday! Thankfully, the road is a side road and didn't much traffic. I walked the bike back to my car and immeidatly took it to REI in Kearney Mesa. The shop supervisor/Master mechanic was there, so I had the chance to talk to him (really good guy, Surly fanatic). I told Bob what happend and I could tell he was pi$$ed that the bike left his shop without something being properly tourqed (sp?) down. He assured me he would go over the entire bike himself today and closely examine the splines on the crankarm and replace if there is ANY damage. I trust Bob, you can tell he is a bike fanatic and not just "working" there.

That was my first "incident" on a road bike and luckily I just got a few scrapes and chainring bite.

Chris

there is no "STEEP HILL" in Balboa park.

are you serious man? or are these jokes a bunch of troll attempts? if they are, damn ur good....

socalcycling pls help this man

god i hope yer just kidding Oleg...i really do......and just in case yer not.....you are aware that there is more than one park in the world named balboa.....some even arent in the SFV......!

I've read in several places that one should inspect bikes on the floor to evaluate the quality of the shop work. I've seen many shops that have scary looking stuff. Crooked wheels, loose headsets, loose seats.

I bought a bike from a shop that turned out to have a loose bottom bracket. I took it back after riding it a mile and realizing something was wrong. The mechanic placed the oversized seattube in the stand then crunched my frame. The shop replaced the frame but just goes to show the quality of some shops' work. Scary!

god i hope yer just kidding Oleg...i really do......and just in case yer not.....you are aware that there is more than one park in the world named balboa.....some even arent in the SFV......!

He's thinking it's in the valley? Ohhhhhhhhhhh.

im guessin'

I was born and raised in Ontario, Eh!:D

I was born and raised in Ontario, Eh!:DYou look Canadian. Like a tanned Canadian.

You look Canadian. Like a tanned Canadian.


I am Eh! You didn't think I was just another Latino form the hood did you esse, I mean Eh!?:D

Trust me, after lurking here for a while I take anything ovoleg says with a grain of salt! ;) And yes, this is Balboa in San Diego. The road I'm talking about crosses Florida Canyon. I'm sure ovoleg would zip right up with not even breaking a sweat, but then again we know he is just one good race from riding in the Tour so......:D
Chris

Trust me, after lurking here for a while I take anything ovoleg says with a grain of salt! ;) And yes, this is Balboa in San Diego. The road I'm talking about crosses Florida Canyon. I'm sure ovoleg would zip right up with not even breaking a sweat, but then again we know he is just one good race from riding in the Tour so......:D
Chris
He must be thinking about the Balboa Park in the San Fernando valley up here in L.A.

Trust me, after lurking here for a while I take anything ovoleg says with a grain of salt! ;) And yes, this is Balboa in San Diego. The road I'm talking about crosses Florida Canyon. I'm sure ovoleg would zip right up with not even breaking a sweat, but then again we know he is just one good race from riding in the Tour so......:D
Chris

Did you ride the Florida Canyon Trails?

I thought about it and was on my way to check them out when my crankarm fell off. So, in a word..no! :)
Chris

going along, having a good day. I had just come down a steep hill in Balboa Park and was getting ready to try and climb the opposite grade to go back up. I shift to an easier gear and push hard on the pedals when....my left crank arm falls off! Of course my right foot was putting as much pressure on the opposite side of the pedal stroke and veered right into the curb, going down. I was pi$$ed! I just picked the bike up last Saturday! Thankfully, the road is a side road and didn't much traffic. I walked the bike back to my car and immeidatly took it to REI in Kearney Mesa. The shop supervisor/Master mechanic was there, so I had the chance to talk to him (really good guy, Surly fanatic). I told Bob what happend and I could tell he was pi$$ed that the bike left his shop without something being properly tourqed (sp?) down. He assured me he would go over the entire bike himself today and closely examine the splines on the crankarm and replace if there is ANY damage. I trust Bob, you can tell he is a bike fanatic and not just "working" there.

That was my first "incident" on a road bike and luckily I just got a few scrapes and chainring bite.

Chris

Interesting. The same thing happened to me after about 1000 miles on a Novara Express purchased from REI. There are two bolts that need to be tightned on the crank. On mine, the tech guessed the bolt that pinches the arm together wasn't tightened properly. The good news was that the tech at REI who took care of me was excellent also.

I recieved a call from the master mechanic yesterday and after asking if I was still ok :) he said he ordered a new crankarm and cap due to the splines being a little bit chewed up and that I should have my bike back Tuesday.
Chris

god i hope yer just kidding Oleg...i really do......and just in case yer not.....you are aware that there is more than one park in the world named balboa.....some even arent in the SFV......!

the world revolves around me

the world revolves around me
My world revolves around Spingineer.

You could have crashed hard.

I have the same cranks. The center cap is only used to adjust the cranks against the bearings, it doesn't really hold the crank arm on the axle. There are two 5mm bolts that clamp the arm onto the axle. I've had them loosen and then I would get a clicking noise as I pedaled. The LBS put locktite on the bolts. I still have to take the arm off, clean the axle splines, and redo it once or twice a year when the noise comes back. It's pretty easy to do.

Other than that, the cranks are good. The outboard bearings will be easy to replace when they wear out.

Like DaveSANYYZ said, you have to tighten each bolt, then go back and do the first bolt again.

there is no "STEEP HILL" in Balboa park.

are you serious man? or are these jokes a bunch of troll attempts? if they are, damn ur good....

socalcycling pls help this man


Stop being a n00b Ovaleg and read the OP's header which says "Location: San Diego" So this is OUR Balboa Park (the famous one with the zoo and all). Sounds like the OP was going east down Morley Field Dr and heading up the far side of Florida Canyon towards the velodrome. There is a reason that hill is called "the wall".

Trust me, after lurking here for a while I take anything ovoleg says with a grain of salt! ;) And yes, this is Balboa in San Diego. The road I'm talking about crosses Florida Canyon. I'm sure ovoleg would zip right up with not even breaking a sweat, but then again we know he is just one good race from riding in the Tour so......:D
Chris

I think you have Oleg figured out quite well.

he wishes he could see me in action(no ****)

Stop being a n00b Ovaleg and read the OP's header which says "Location: San Diego" So this is OUR Balboa Park (the famous one with the zoo and all). Sounds like the OP was going east down Morley Field Dr and heading up the far side of Florida Canyon towards the velodrome. There is a reason that hill is called "the wall".

It was the cross street on the north side of the zoo...Ute..something.

I think you have Oleg figured out quite well.

:D I haven't spent 15 years in the military and not learned anything!

he wishes he could see me in action(no ****)

Don't we all look forward to seeing you in action for once ;) ?

East Hill

Don't we all look forward to seeing you in action for once ;) ?

East Hill

I've seen him in action and his shorts got ripped...:p

I've seen him in action and his shorts got ripped...:p

I'll have to think over whether or not that's the kind of action I'd like to see :p .

Perhaps it depends on the orientation?

East Hill

It was the cross street on the north side of the zoo...Ute..something.


Upas.

Upas.

I do believe that was it!
Thanks!