gfrance

So, I've given myself the go ahead to build up my bike from the frame up. Never done much work on a bike before, but now is the time. Most or all of the components are coming off of one bike and onto the new frame. First up, is the crankset and bottom bracket. Researching on Park Tools, I've come to a bit of a road block as I cannot properly identify which kind of cranks I have and what tool may be needed. What I can say, is that it is Dura Ace circa 1999. Here's a picture. Not sure if those two small hole mean it's "one key system" or not. Any ideas? What tools do I need to begin? And what is the likely bottom bracket type and tool needed?



Thanks for the help...

tellyho

Pretty sure that's self-extracting. I'd put the allen wrench in there and see what happens. Be ready to crank (no pun intended).

Tinkeric

I had a crankset that was secured with allen bolts too. After I loosened the bolts, the cranks just slide right off; I didn't have to use a crank puller.

kycycler

From the look of your picture it looks like the outside is a retainer and the inside is a bolt that holds the crank to the axle. If that is the case you need to remove the retainer with a spanner and then remove the Allen bolt with a 8mm wrench. Then you will need a crank puller. From the picture I cannot tell if what you have is a square taper or octal link.

dvs cycles

Those are Shimano self extracting caps. No crank puller needed.

gfrance

so then just start with allen wrench?

BikEthan

Yes, what dvs cycles said. 1999 Dura Ace would be Octalink and came standard with self extracting caps. Make sure you grease the BB spindle and LINE UP THE SPLINES or you'll toast the crank. Hopefully you have an Ultegra BB in there (which are pretty good but have been discontinued). The Dura Ace one while user serviceable (although overhauling it is tedious) had less than stellar sealing and was prone to water and grime issues.

dizzy101

Can somebody explain how those self-extracting crank bolts work? Why would I not need a crank puller to get the cranks off the BB?

cyccommute 

Yes but be careful. Those are probably 6mm allens and they are easy to round off...especially when you get to the part of trying to push the crank off the spindle. It takes a lot of torque to remove the crank so you want a wrench with a good long arm. A breaker bar and socket might be best.

If you have to use a regular 6mm wrench, pad your hand 'cause it's gonna hurt

cyccommute 

The crank is held on the spindle by an interference fit. To keep the crank from falling off, the spindle is tapered and a bolt is used to hold it on. You need a lot of torque on the bolt to keep the crank from working off. This tends to 'stick' the crank in place so you need something to push the crank off the spindle. You can do this with a crank puller



(image stolen from Sheldon Brown)

Or with the one key system above. The bolt presses against the washer (the thing with 2 holes in it) and pushes the crank off as the bolt is unthreaded.

More modern cranks either use 8mm bolts like those in Octalink or ISIS systems or dispense with the whole thing by using a 2 piece crank and a pinch bolt.

roadfix

A self-extracting crank bolt has a flange which 'pushes' against the retainer thus pulling the crank arm with it as you loosen the bolt.

gfrance

Alright. Thanks. I'm going to give it a go with the allen wrench, then move onto the BB with the park tool.

I'm sure I'll be back asking for help with the next phase....