pakole

I keep stripping my cranks and I want to figure out what is going on.

Now, each time I install cranks, I put on the grease and hand tighten the pedals on to make sure I do not mechincally strip the cranks with improper alignment or just the wrong threading, whatever. They screw on without any issues. After the first time I stripped my crank while riding, I switch to completely clipless. I try my best to have even circular strokes. Now, I have maunally strip three cranks through pedaling. I am trying to figure out what is the problem. I talked to one of the guys in my LBS, and he indicated that the pedals were not on tight enough, but if that was true, why do I always find the pedals in the cranks not slowly working its way out? My courier friend made it seem that it was just the fate of a bike that was not my height. I have recently fixed that so that I have near full extension. Yet, I am not fully convinced. I feel its the level of quality of the parts I used. Anyway, I rather not guess why this keep happen, and just find out. I will admit that two of the three cranks were used. Does anybody have any idea why I keep stripping my cranks from pedaling? Oh yea, each time my pedals are fine. This is why I think its the quality of the parts. Althrough, my pedals are not usually that great. Oh well, I would rather not buy 3-4 cranks a year. Help, please.

rmfnla

OK, I'm going to overlook the obvious fact that English is a third language for you and offer the simple (and kind; trust me) observation that you are one of those people who are meant to be a " bike shop customer", not a "bike mechanic".

Give your tools to charity and find a bike shop that understands what you are saying; the world will be a better place for it.

BostonFixed

Talk to the very nice folks at www.broadwaybicycleschool.com, and they can help you out, sell you new parts, teach you through the problem, do the work for you, etc.

351 broadway, cambridge, ma.

spunkyruss

It definitely sounds like you need a bit of mechanical guidance. BostonFixed's suggestion of a good bike shop is the best way to start. Your past experience strongly indicates that you will continue to find yourself destroying and replacing parts if you don't get someone to really teach you how to do things properly.

I have trouble asking for help, but I have to admit to myself when I need it, and then seek it out.

Good luck!

seeker333

you probably should go buy your next cranks at the lbs and let them install, if for no other reason than that the time you save you could be enjoying a bike ride(s).

you do know that eht left pedal is reverse threaded, right?

park tools (excellent prodcts) has a wonderfully instructive website. and calvin is a super helpful guy.

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=83

LóFarkas

Do you hand tighten your pedals like you say? If so, every crank you ever have will strip. You have to engage the threads by hand, and then tighten the pedal down with a wrench pretty damn tight. Otherwise, the pedal will move around slightly in the crank and strip the threads quickly. That applies to all the other screws and nuts on the bike as well.

Don't be surpriesed that the pedals are fine when the crank is gone. The pedal axles are steel and the crank is bloody aluminium, for God's sake! It's like 5 times softer.

pakole

Thanks for actually answering my question. I will make sure to do that in the future.

pakole

I do not have any picture to show you since all of the cranks are either returned to store or in a landfill some where.

I do not have any pictures on how I installed. I can tell you each step.
1. I would look for the L or the R on the pedals
2. I would put grease on the threading in the cranks and the threading on the pedals.
3. I would place the left pedal in the hole on the left crank.
4. I would turn it counterclockwise. I would do all of this by hand.
5. I would turn until the pedal core met the crank.
6. I would place the right pedal in the hole of the right crank.
7. I would turn clockwise. Again doing this by hand.
8. I would turn until the pedal met the crank.
9. I would be done.

LóFarkas

Mystery solved, then, I feel.