gasftl

When I do trackstand, I can feel a little play going on. I'm just wondering on how to tighten cranks properly. I'm assuming you just simply tighten it with a wrench on both sides but I may be wrong, there maybe the "right" way to do it. And I sure don't want to risk damaging my cranks/bb.

yokotas13

i had this same problem
check your chainringbolts. mine were loose allowing a few MM of play

the_don

Depends on the cranks you have. Also, if you mean play as in a little bit of pedal forwards and backwards, it can a slightly slack chain that causes it.

xxguitarist

Yep, most likely this.
If they seem loose by hand, then you'll need to tighten the actual cranks, and possibly replace some parts if you've actually been riding around on them with them loose.

Retro Grouch 

I'd agree that chain slack is probably what you're feeling.

That said, if you have square taper cranks, it pays to be precise with the tightening. Too loose and the left crankarm will wallow out the square hole and fall off. Too tight and the crankarm will crack at the square hole. The torque spec is around 30 to 35 lb/ft. If you don't have a torque wrench imagine a 30 pound weight hanging off the end of a foot long wrench.

jtgotsjets

^its nearly impossible to crack a crankarm by overtightening. most cracked crankarms are going to be caused by repeated retightening. when tightened properly, after some use, the crankarm will tighten itself by moving up the square taper (nowhere else for it to go), leaving the bolt feeling a little loose. someone doesnt realize that this is what happened, they retighten it. same thing happens, you continue retightening until the damn thing cracks.

however, if you don't have a torque wrench, you should just take it to your bike shop because undertightening can ruin your cranks just riding on them once.

in the end though, youre probably just feeling a tiny bit of play in the chain (this is ok! you don't want your chain to be completely taut).

mattxxx

the only time i feel play while trackstanding is when my chain is too loose. if the cranks are loose i think you'll feel it pedaling more than anything

mrvile

Riding with too loose a chain is the most annoying thing as the pedals shift back and forth slightly before actually engaging the chain...feels awful, like your bike is falling apart. Chain tension is one of the most tactile aspects of riding fixed gear.

the_don

yeah, and a loose crank arm feels really weird. Like the pedal is falling off and wobbling about.

When mine came loose, it took about 5 minutes for the whole arm to come off. From then on I always ride with the 8mm Hex wrench.

mrvile

If it's happening often enough that you need to carry a wrench around just-in-case, I think you've got some bad news bears regarding either your crank or BB there...