Bicycle Mechanics - What Tool To Remove STX RC Crankset?

I'm doing a total strip down, cleaning and service on my ten year old Raleigh mountain bike, for education and maintenance. I've got another bike, so I can afford to take my time, and even screw it up. I am finding crank and bottom bracket terminology confusing. Would some one please tell me the exact tool I need to remove these cranks? As the title says, it's a Shimano STX RC crankset.

Google is not being friendly, nor is the forum search. LBS is not L, so I will be buying online. I don't want to buy the wrong tool.

Once again, thanks to the Bike Forum community for all the help.

-Max

pictures always help . as not many commit the manufacturers catalog to memory..

how does it fit, and what is the BB type. you dont know? you have to offer more .

Sheldon Brown's web site says the STX RC cranks were 4-arm MTB cranks having 94/58 bolt circles and made during the mid to late '90's. They used a 110 -113 mm square taper bottom bracket.

He doesn't say what the crank bolt type is so to remove the bolts you will need either an 8 mm allen key if the bolt has an obvious hex recess or you will have to remove a dustcover and then remove the fixing bolts (or nuts) with a 14 mm thin wall socket. Once the crank bolts are out, a standard 22 mm crank puller (Park CWP-7 or CCP-22) is used to pull the crank arms off of the spindle.

Sheldon Brown's web site says the STX RC cranks were 4-arm MTB cranks having 94/58 bolt circles and made during the mid to late '90's. They used a 110 -113 mm square taper bottom bracket.

He doesn't say what the crank bolt type is so to remove the bolts you will need either an 8 mm allen key if the bolt has an obvious hex recess or you will have to remove a dustcover and then remove the fixing bolts (or nuts) with a 14 mm thin wall socket. Once the crank bolts are out, a standard 22 mm crank puller (Park CWP-7 or CCP-22) is used to pull the crank arms off of the spindle.

I'm reasonable certain that the STX RC predates the use of an allen fixing bolt.

+1

Standard square taper crank. Remove the allen bolt or 14mm bolt and use a standard Park crank puller to remove the crank.

I'm voting for allen head bolt. I'm relatively confident.

I'm reasonable certain that the STX RC predates the use of an allen fixing bolt.
Don't know, which is why I described both possibilities. My 1996 105 crank did use 8mm allen head fixing bolts and it was contemporary with the STX in question.

pictures always help . as not many commit the manufacturers catalog to memory..

how does it fit, and what is the BB type. you dont know? you have to offer more .

Thanks for the help. The bottom bracket is a Shimano BB-LP27, 110mm spindle. I can't get pictures of it until I get the cranks off.

The drive side crank looks like this:291157

The other side looks the same. There aren't any bolts or such on the sides of the cranks. I am not sure what is meant by "how does it fit."

I appreciate any help. I have always been intimidated by cranks and bottom brackets - I'd like to learn more.

So I need the appropriate allen wrench and a standard Park crank puller?

There aren't any bolts or such on the sides of the cranks. I am not sure what is meant by "how does it fit."

So I need the appropriate allen wrench and a standard Park crank puller?
The bolts are the ones in the center of the crank in your picture and, they are indeed 8 mm allen heads so you need an 8 mm hex key and the recommended crank puller.

Go to the Park Tools web site and look up the tutorial on crank and bottom bracket removal and installation. It will show you all of the details.

My best guess is I have a square taper crank. So this is what I want? Plus the appropriate wrenches, of course.

http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-puller-for-square-taper-cranks-ccp-22 (http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-puller-for-square-taper-cranks-ccp-22)

I'm done with questions until I try to put it all back together. :)

Thanks again to all of you.

-Max

You'll need the specific Shimano STX-CCRT-3500 crank removal tool. I don't think that its made anymore, but you might find it on EBay :-).

Seriously, its just a regular square-taper crank removal tool. Everyone uses Park, I like Sugino and Lifu more. All of 'em work. Just be sure that you thread the tool ALL the way in before applying torque to the extractor stud, otherwise the tool will pull the threads out of the crank, ruining it.

If the best way to learn bike mechanics is by making mistakes, I guarantee you will never learn as much as I have.

i have a 'Pedro' or something branded crank removal tool that has a handle on it, this is way easier than the older style ones you used with a wrench. suggestion, oil the outer threads before putting it into the crank, this will help save those threads and makes it much easier to install.

I'm reasonable certain that the STX RC predates the use of an allen fixing bolt.

Nope. I have a 1993 trek with altus components with an 8mm crank bolt. STXRC came out in either 95 or 96.

Nope. I have a 1993 trek with altus components with an 8mm crank bolt. STXRC came out in either 95 or 96.
The point is moot. The OP's photo shows an 8 mm allen bolt so the debate is over. :)

Nope. I have a 1993 trek with altus components with an 8mm crank bolt. STXRC came out in either 95 or 96.
The point is moot. The OP's photo shows an 8 mm allen bolt so the debate is over. :)

That's not going to keep me from being a knowitall.

That's not going to keep me from being a knowitall.
You have definetely come to the right place. :)

That's not going to keep me from being a knowitall.

Hey, I was the one to guess the allen bolt, BEFORE the OP posted a photo of it. I am the knowitall here :lol:

Hey, I was the one to guess the allen bolt, BEFORE the OP posted a photo of it. I am the knowitall here :lol:

I stand corrected.

I didn't even notice the picture till now. That'll teach me to post on my phone.