Bicycle Mechanics - Left Crank Arm Keeps Coming Loose - Fix?

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Turd Ferguson
04-29-08, 07:41 PM
The racing bike has been to the shop twice to tighted the left crank arm in place, even given a squirt of lock tight. Its keeps coming loose. On Sunday a 1/2" Gap was created.

Any idea how I can remedy this.

The crank is a Truvativ Elita, perhaps I should buy Ultegra? Is it a inherent problem with Truvativ?

Wordbiker
04-29-08, 07:49 PM
Is it a inherent problem with Truvativ?

Not if you ask Truvativ.

If the bike is still under warranty (usually one year from purchase) ask the shop to replace the crank with a compatible Shimano or other crank. If it's fallen off a few times, it's toast.
mark9950
04-29-08, 08:00 PM
Good luck with the warrantee,if its damaged from slipping when coming off,you will have to buy a new crank.Unless the crank hole is too small.

JanMM
04-29-08, 08:04 PM
I've had no trouble with two Elita cranks. Is this a common problem?
Torchy McFlux
04-29-08, 08:06 PM
Locktite on a crankarm? Sounds like they're trying hard to cover up incompetence.
The guys that build bikes in shops are usually the most inexperienced mechanics. If they forget to tighten something down, situations like yours happen.
Crank manufacturers make left crankarms available separately. Your bike is still under warranty. Tell the shop you bought it from to honour it.
Wordbiker
04-29-08, 08:13 PM
Locktite on a crankarm? Sounds like they're trying hard to cover up incompetence.
The guys that build bikes in shops are usually the most inexperienced mechanics. If they forget to tighten something down, situations like yours happen.

Hey, thanks for that experienced insight.

Sometimes even when a crank is torqued to proper spec by a head mechanic, a crappy crank fails and the manufacturer tries to blame the mechanic. When it's crank after crank of the same exact brand and model and the manufacturer tries to place the blame anywhere but upon their product and refuses to recall it, it comes down to a good shop covering a customer out of their own pocket...then not choosing bikes with that brand of crank for sale the next year.
Turd Ferguson
04-29-08, 08:29 PM
It's happened three times in the last week. I'm not going to carry a #8 wrench with me so it might have to go. Thanks for the replies