karinbur

We're trying to pack our CoMotion Speedster for a trip. We have FSA SL-K Mega EXO cranks; first step is to remove captain's right crank with an 8mm Allen wrench. We've done this before, but this time we can't get it to budge.

Any suggestions? We're hoping we don't have to haul it into a bike shop tomorrow.

Thanks...

TandemGeek

Check that; if you have the 8mm self-extracting bolt and it was installed correctly with the specified amount of torque, it takes quite a bit of effort to get that sucker back out. I tend to use the same torque wrench / breaker bar to remove those self-extracting bolts as the one I use to install and torque them to 390-485 in.lbs as specified.
https://darelldd.com/bicycle/document...r%20cranks.pdf

I started off my original reply based on the FSA Mega EXO crank design on our triplet's captain's crank... which used a pinch bolt and preload screw cap. Sorry for any mis-direction.

twocicle

Hope you can do it without breaking the bolt head. On some previous Gossamer tandem cranks installed by the frame mfr prior to delivery, those bolts stuck so bad the alloy bolt heads cracked and fell apart. Had to have the bolts drilled out. After that ordeal, switched to steel extractor bolts. Our new FSA SL-K Light cranks have the original bolts, and I've been careful to use lots of grease during install/reinstall, plus after initially tightening the cranks to spec I back off the bolt and then re tighten maybe a little less just to be safe.

karinbur

Thanks to you both. We tried unsuccessfully to use our torque wrench to get it out, so I took it to the bike shop this morning, where someone 40 years younger managed to loosen it without breaking it. It has indeed always been difficult to budge. We will make sure to lubricate it and not over-tighten it when we re-assemble. Now off to the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky, barring any future snags! Thanks again.