Bicycle Mechanics - Problem with left crank arm...

I have a Specialized Allez Triple.

Went to LBS and while trying to adjust the bottom bracket, something went wrong with the thread on the left crank arm, the thread just came out.

Now, i'm not very upset at them for that, they were trying to help me out.

However, their solution was to order me one silver crank arm (at my cost) to replace the black crank arm with the stripped thread. My bike isn't wonderful, but it doesn't need unmatched crank arms...

I would rather have the same on both sides so I called them and cancelled the order.

Now i'm trying to find a black pair of crank arms. The ones on the bike are Sugino, 172.5mm, is this a suitable alternative?

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11836

Or can I use any size e.g. 170 or 175mm?

Do they have to be Sugino or can I use any brand?

Thanks!

Andy

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=support

See what Specialized has to say about it.

If you want to keep matched crank arms, buying a pair of Jacobs Chuck removal wedges (http://www.jacobschuck.com/drill-chuck-install.asp) might be better use of your dough than new cranks.

I'm assuming the crank is OK other than the removal issue. Jacobs wedges are fairly inexpensive and do a good job removing cranks by pushing from the back instead of pulling, so there's no reason not to remount your stripped arm.

The simple, economic solution is to buy the silver replacement crankarm and paint it black. I also suggest you change bike shops. The thread on the crankarm just doesn't "come out" on its own. My suspicion is your LBS didn't screw the crankarm puller in all the way to pull the left arm off to access the bb and that's their bad and they should be responsible for replacement.

My suspicion is your LBS didn't screw the crankarm puller in all the way to pull the left arm off to access the bb and that's their bad and they should be responsible for replacement.

+1

It's a least worth a shot going back there and b----ing them out. It's their fault, they should make it right at their cost. Although it might be too late for that now..

If you can get the arm free you can still use it, which would save you the hassle and money of buying a new one if the shop doesn't take responsibility for it.

My suspicion is your LBS didn't screw the crankarm puller in all the way to pull the left arm off to access the bb and that's their bad and they should be responsible for replacement.

That's pretty likely. I've come across guys in shops who seem to think cranking the puller into those threads hard is a good idea, too - that's another way to trash those fine ally threads. The puller only needs to be finger-tight.


Or can I use any size e.g. 170 or 175mm?
Depends on your leg length and riding style. I'm 5'10" and pretty good at spinning, so when I tried some 175s after only ever using 170s, I really liked them. I had noticeably more power, and the extra length didn't incur much of a redline penalty cause of my height and spinning ability.

It wasn't a huge difference though; I would have only just noticed a 2.5mm change.

I have been travelling all week, on way back and was sitting at airport when they phoned to say they have my silver crankarm in, that I don't want and cancelled...

I just ordered two crank arms (silver) off ebay, i'll take them in when I get them and have a word with the guy.