I have an existing Omega FDA crank that I'd like to reduce from 175mm to 170mm due to my knee and was wondering if anyone knew how exactly how to take the integrated spindle off so I can use it with the new omega 170mm crank? I can't seem to figure it out, it appears to have been press fitted from the factory with no intention for the end user to disassemble it.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Not sure which exact model you have, but I have an FSA Omega crankset on one of my bikes. Mine is very similar to this one:

https://www.rei.com/product/220795/f...sku=2207950001

Mine is a two piece crankset. The NDS crank arm is removable. I'm reasonably sure the DS crank arm is permanently attached to the spindle and that any attempt to remove it would destroy the crankset.

I've the Omega crank on a C-Dale. The spindle is integrated with the R crank arm, you do not remove this. As I recall, the L crank arm has the 2 set screws on the arm, you loosen those, then use a Pin Spanner to remove the tension cap (The tension cap is how you set the tension on the crank). Then remove the L arm. You then just lightly wack the spindle from the L side and the R crank will come out. The crank and spindle are an integrated unit. Then and assuming it's the correct b-bracket, you install the R crank and then the L crank arm and reverse the process with the tension cap and set crews.

I would check that the FDA crank and existing b-bracket are compatible with the Omega crank. Or have a shop do it.

Some use a pair of screws/pinch-bolts, similar to Shimano's Hollowtech II cranksets. Other variants use a single bolt that screws into the crank spindle to secure the NDS crank arm, similar to an Octalink/ISIS/Square taper BB (and also used a "wavy washer" between BB and crank arm). Mine was the latter variety.

Your advice to the OP to check BB compatibility is sound. Some FSA Omega cranksets used a 19mm spindle. Those BBs are hard to find.

The tension cap that installs on my Omega has 8 small holes that need that Park pin tool.

Sounds like you have a 2-piece crankset. The spindle is not intended to be removed. Ever!

If you are trying to make your existing 175mm cranks 170 cranks, I have nothing for you.

However if you are replacing the 175mm FSA Omega crankset with a 170mm FSA 2-piece crankset, then the new crankset will have it's own spindle attached.

FSA apparently had multiple designs for their Omega NDS crank arms re: how they attached to the rest of the crankset..

Mine also has a cap - but with 6 small holes vice 8 (just checked) of correct size for a pin spanner. But the crank arm is secured to the spindle with a single hex bolt - 8mm, I think, but it might be 6mm. This bolt screws into the end of the spindle; no pinch bolts/screws. Documentation for the crankset calls the bolt, cap, and an associated washer a "QR-18 Self-extracting Crank Bolt Assembly", implying that the NDS crank arm on my model is removed by simply unscrewing the hex bolt with the cap in place. FWIW: it has a 19mm spindle.

I have a second FSA crankest, also with 19mm spindle, of the same era with a slightly more conventional design (5 bolt symmetric 110mm BCD). It uses a pinch bolt design to clamp the NDS crank arm to the spindle similar to that used on Shimano's Hollowtech II cranksets.

OblivionLord Just to be clear....

You are asking how to remove the spindle from the remaining crank arm. Or are you asking how to get the first crank arm off so that you can remove the remaining crank and spindle from the bike/BB.

The one FSA crank I looked at the spindle is permanently attached to the left crank arm. Shimano usually puts them on the right crank arm permanently.

MegaExo crankset installation instructions_ENG .pdf (4.78 MB )

That's not always the case. The MegaExo crankset corresponding to the installation instructions/exploded view linked below (which is damn near identical to mine) has the spindle permanently attached to the DS crank.

https://shop.fullspeedahead.com/en/f...df9128a9fe790/

Knowing the OP's specific crankset model would help sort this out. So would his answering your question above regarding whether he trying to (1) remove the spindle from the rest of the crank, or (2) remove one of the cranks from the spindle.

I didn't think it was. That's why I said "the one FSA crankset I looked at".

My impression is the OP thought he needed to remove the spindle to attach to a new shorter FSA Omega crank. Nope! You buy the cranks, you get the spindle with it. All good 👍

I think you're correct. But until the OP clarifies, we don't know; we're assuming. And absent clarification it's been my experience that "assume" can easily become "ass-u-me".

No argument, just clarifying that that's not universally the case for FSA Megaexo cranks. They can and do vary.

FSA makes good stuff, but I do sometimes wish they'd be a bit more consistent. Change for good reason is often necessary. But change for change's sake has never been something I particularly liked.

Sorry for the confusion. I was asking how to remove the spindle from the left crank arm. It appears to be permanently affixed and is not designed to be removed from the arm casing.

Looks like I've gotten the information that I needed here.

Thanks all
​​​​​​P.S. why does it say I'm a newbie? I've been part of this forum since 2010. Odd

The non-drive-side/left arm unbolts from the spindle, then you remove the cranks - with spindle attached - from the drive-side. This video shows it, you loosen the bolt on the NDS crankarm, then it acts as a crankarm puller to slide off the spindle. Then pull the crank-with-spindle from the DS. Since you're replacing with an identical model FSA crank you should be able to use the current outboard bearings on your bottom bracket shell, just slide the new crank in and attach the new arm on the NDS.

The automatically-assigned status (Newbie, etc . . . . ) is based on number of posts, not date of join. I believe the "breakpoint" between "Newbie" and "Junior Member" is either 50 or 75 posts, but I could be wrong.

This is accurate information but my main concern was removing the spindle off the crank arm itself. There are no videos of this procedure on YouTube that I can find for my crankset.

It's not designed to be removed. Your new FSA Omega cranks with 170mm arms will come with that spindle attached.

And after you've removed that first crank arm, sometimes the spindle sticks in the BB. So just give the end of the spindle a tap with a mallet or piece of 2 x 4. Of course if the other side has the chain rings on it, be sure to remove the chain first.

Thanks