Stupid question about crank bolts?
 

So, this may be pretty stupid, but I have never built up a bike from scratch, so bear with me. I just picked up these cranks:

http://www.interlocracing.com/cranks.html

and a corresponding Shimano BB:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...3#ReviewHeader

but it seems the cranks have no crank bolts to tighten them onto the spindle. The only other cranks I had were the SRAM s300's and they came with crank bolts. Am I missing something here? Do I just pick up some crank bolts at the LBS? Do cranks usually ship without the bolts?

The bolts are normally supplied with the BB. You can get a pair cheap >>> http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1618

Your lbs should have some too.

Are these bolts pretty standard for most bottom brackets? Perhaps Ill try the LBS since a 6$ purchase online seems a little unnecessary

Some of them take an 8mm hex wrench and some a 15mm socket but the threads are standard for square-taper BBs. Buy a few extras...it's good to keep spares.

Thanks for the tip. Building a bike from scratch is a bit different from swapping out parts on a bike I am beginning to realize :)

One other question: I noticed when I place the cranks on the BB, they are not flush against the frame, there is a couple cm's of space. I bought the 110mm BB as recommended by the crank site, so that shouldnt be an issue. My current SRAM s300 fits flush against the GXP BB, so am just wondering if its normal for there to be some space?

That sounds normal to me. Is your chainline straight?

The design for a square taper BB is a lot different than that for a crankset with a GXP BB. If the cranks are not flush against the BB for the S300s, the crank spindle would be able to slide sideways in and out of the BB while you are riding.

A couple of cm's ? Do you mean mm's ? What exactly do you mean by "flush against BB" ? Some pics would help.

Oh yea, I missed that "couple cm" part. A couple cm is probably not ok.

Do what TT says and get us some pics!

No, probably 1.5 cm's or so. Dont have my camera with me at work, but I can take some when I am home. I mean when I slide the crank arm on the BB spindle, it doesnt slide all the way down, leaving some space between the crank arm and the frame. This is confusing because the first square tapered BB I have used but what yummygooey said makes sense.. As for chainline, my chain hasn't come in yet because the bike is slowly being built, so can't check it yet.

the crank arms wont necessarily sit flush. tighten the crank arm bolts and your crank arms should snug up

If you're just placing the crank arm on the spindle, you're not seeing it as it will look with the bolts installed as it will slide further onto the spindle when the bolts are tightened.

Even when properly tightened, IRD Defiant crank arms will have a considerable gap when compared to a GXP setup.

True, I was missing the crank bolts so I just wanted to get an idea. Couldnt find much info on these cranks, but really enjoyed the classic look of them, and they seem to be pretty sturdy, so went ahead and bought them. Ill run by the LBS and pick up some bolts and tighten em up. Appreciate the info guys.

Make sure you let us know how you like them after you put some miles on them! They're good looking cranks.

I'm curious as well. They cost me about the same as my s300's, which are a nice stiff ride, but kinda lacking in the aesthetics department. Cant wait to get my new ride up and running.

when building a bike there will always been some little piece that you need but are missing.. :lol: in this case it's crank bolts

whenever i teardown and sell a bike for parts, i always keep all the little nuts and bolts, ferrules, any other little odds and ends that would be a pain to have to buy individually

The BB should have included the cranks bolts, and if you had bought it from someone else than trashbar they probably would. For the same price you paid, this BB includes the bolts, and it's a very good BB IME >>> http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=9452

I was unaware nashbar had a bad reputation :( Live and learn I suppose... That bb even has the bolts in the picture :lol: