Crank Doesn't Feel True
 

Hi All. I'm a bit of a newb with bike mechanics so go easy on me :).

So I'm about to bike this bike (2001 Specialized Enduro Expert FSR) :

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-image.ht...ationFlag=true

But when I go to pedal, the crank doesn't feel like it is true. Is this something I can fix? Or will it always feel like that. I am looking for a heavy duty trail bike that can take some beating because I like to challenge myself on off road. I'll be replacing the brake system and need to know if I should replace the crank system too.

Ideas?

What do you mean by true? The crank should be a square taper type, is it correctly mounted on the spindle?

if you are looking to replace, would get an external bearing type crank, as these are stiffer than square taper, and can't be installed any way other than the correct way.

For the bike, would also look at getting a shorter stem, the one fitted is very long by modern standards, the jockey wheels (green aftermarket?) look a little pointy as well.

We need to know what you are observing in more detail. Does one of your feet feel like it wavers up and down at different angles as the pedals rotate? Then the pedal or crank arm is bent? Do the chainrings rub at times on the derailleur cage? then the chainrings or right crank spider arms are bent, or perhaps the BB (crank bearing is not secure in the frame or out of adjustment.

It feels like when i pedal, my foot isn't moving in a perfectly round movement, like there is some inward movement.

What does a pointy jockey mean? Isn't that a good thing?

Thank you.

Just means it's worn out, would be checking the bearing to see if they still run smooth, the pointy look could just be dirt, hard to tell from the photo.

First thought from the sound of it bent pedal shaft, if you can barrow some pedals that are good swap and see if that is the trouble first.

Probably just excess play in that crappy suspension.

pedaling around a corner and hitting the ground bends them.

so if i replace the whole crank system it will be normal again?

I would replace the bottom bracket and crankset.

Possibly, if the issue is with the crank, not the pedal, as suggested above. would be worth having a LBS / someone who is familiar with bikes check it physically, it's pretty hard to see if there are any issues from the photos.

Not if there's nothing wrong with it.

Probably a bent pedal or bent bottom bracket. Bent bottom brackets are pretty common on dirt jumpers, the owner may have been jumping with the bike.

Why not just inspect the bike carefully and actually find out what's wrong with it, if anything? Then pursue a real solution.

First check the pedal, then bottom bracket.

as mentioned, possible bent pedal or BB is toast. but, as yet to be mentioned, is a problem i, for sure, had that will exhibit the same symptom. a bent or poorly manufactured crank arm. mine was on the non-drive side. i swapped out the bent or possibly non-square pedal threading arm with an old square tapered arm i had and all was well. occasionally i forget they are not a matched pair, but it seems i'm always being reminded of it. :lol: