Originally Posted by
Papa Tom
So the crank on my 1996 GT Outpost was recalled in 1997, but the LBS sold me one in 2016. That LBS is now out of business, and every other shop in the area is backed up on service for 4-5 weeks. Shimano will not just send me the recall kit and let me do the work myself, so I have to wait for that day COVID-19 is going to "just disappear" before I can get my crank replaced. Plus, Shimano tells me the recall kit - which includes the crank, a bottom bracket, a chain, a chain ring, and a front derailleur - is back-ordered for at least 2-3 months. In the same breath, the Shimano rep advised that I should not, under any circumstances, ride on the recalled cranks, as they could crack and send me tumbling to my death.
I'd like to put this behind me and continue riding without a possible crank failure, but I do not want to leave my bike in a shop for 4-5 weeks during this very short riding season. Would it be easy enough to pair a new crankset with my existing bottom bracket, chainring, deraillleur, etc., or is there a reason they are providing all these items?
Just curious which LBS is the one that shut down, and which one you are dealing with now (I'm a local)?
Since you are already familiar with the procedure for removing the crank, I'd get a cheap one online that can get you through this period, and then put the defective crank back on when the time comes for you to have the recall work done. I get that the shop wants you to leave the bike with them (although I agree it is strange, considering they always seem to have storage issues), so I'd just do your own thing and then pretend that you want to initiate the recall procedure later on (when the weather gets worse or whatever).