Switching to hollowtech cranks

ED209 · June 2007

Hi All

Being generally unimpressed with the square taper isoflow cranks my bike came fitted with, and having knackered them (though probably replaceable under guarantee) I'm now eyeing up some LX hollowtech II cranks for ~œ60 - but have some questions:

1) what tools do I need to buy - I'm guessing a bottom bracket removal tool to take out my swaure taper bb, one of these for installing the new bb cups, and one of these for...erm...somethin or other. That's like œ20 just on tools that I hope never to use again, are they all really necessary? Wondering whether I should go to LBS/halfords instead and will enquire about pricing...but I sort of like to do things myself.

2) What is 'getting my frame faced' and do I need it? My bike is pretty new.

Maybe œ80 for LX cranks and tools, hhmmm another pricey upgrade - what next?!?[:(]

GT Aggressor XC2 - lovingly crafted by the artisans at Halfords with the addition of XT hydraulic brakes, M520 pedals, Ritchey Ergo foam grips and my old nice and comfy Spesh BG saddle

Unknown · June 2007

You should have your frame faced. It makes sure that teh bottom bracket edges are paralel so the bottom bracket doesn't wear quickly. I woudl go to a LBS if you don't wanna buy the tools and yeh them tools are right.

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Unknown · June 2007

ANY B/B that uses external bearings you should face the area round the B/B to ensure a flush and parallel fit.

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guilliano · June 2007

Get the frame faced to ensure it is parallel and smooth so the barings work properly. I upgraded to the same crank a month ago and it is such a big improvement.... well worth the money. The tools may come in useful again to replace the BB at a later date

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Cookiemonsterwmb · June 2007

I bought LX cranks from my LBS for œ80 - ok so œ20 more than online, but they faced the BB shell and fitted it for free.

So by my reckoning, it actually worked out cheaper!

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Jinja Ninja · June 2007

I would get the tools, means you can tighten the Cranks again with out your wallet being raped by the LBS. Plus it will be back to them every time you want to tighten it. They are stunning cranks though.

Cookie monster! *waves*

(Mikey E, Bristol)

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tinytjf · June 2007

Cookie monster - having spotted the bike in your sig, you didn't happen to be out on the Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday evening last week did you? As I'm sure I spotted that bike leant up against a tree while you neatly filled in ruts...

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Jinja Ninja · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tinytjf

Cookie monster - having spotted the bike in your sig, you didn't happen to be out on the Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday evening last week did you? As I'm sure I spotted that bike leant up against a tree while you neatly filled in ruts...

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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You most likely did! He is one of the "BMBC boys"! And only steely hardtails are brave enough for Ho Chi!

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Aux1 · June 2007

How do they face a frame? Can someone describe?

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daxionwmb · June 2007

It's a small device which scrapes/cuts the paint and a bit of metal to ensure both sides of the BB shell (frame) is parallel, which ensures the cranks are true to the frame.
Otherwise the bearings will wear prematurely.

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ED209 · June 2007

Rang round bike shops today for prices on supply and fit of the LX cranks - saying that I might upgrade, or might not depending on how much it would cost and a couple wanted to charge full retail (œ80) for the cranks, plus œ15 fitting, plus œ15 - 20 for frame facing! One said œ80 inc facing which was pretty good....but halfords (who don't sell shimano cranks) quoted me œ15.99 for frame facing and fitting my cranks, if I go and buy them from wiggle or somewhere. Bargain! I think....

But a couple of questions (maybe for any halfords staff here) - will my local halfords definitely face my frame? I guess if they don't bother I wouldn't ever know (which is more likely to be a worry at the cheaper LBS, they always seem a bit of a cowboy outfit), but do halfords definitely have the equipment to do this?

Just thinking that given they don't sell these external bearing cranks themselves, they wouldn't have many customers getting their frames faced or getting these cranks fitted (I'd probably be the first [:D], would they even have the special tool?) so maybe the guy gave me the price without knowing whether they could or could not fit these specific cranks. Or am I being paranoid [?]

GT Aggressor XC2 - lovingly crafted by the artisans at Halfords with the addition of XT hydraulic brakes, M520 pedals, Ritchey Ergo foam grips and my old nice and comfy Spesh BG saddle

Cookiemonsterwmb · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tinytjf

Cookie monster - having spotted the bike in your sig, you didn't happen to be out on the Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday evening last week did you? As I'm sure I spotted that bike leant up against a tree while you neatly filled in ruts...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nah, I was down the pub. But On-Ones are common as muck round here so could have been anyone!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jinja Ninja
Cookie monster! *waves*

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hey Mikey, funny who you bump into on here! You missed a good ride tonight [:p]

Back on topic... cranks, fit 'em once, fit 'em right [:D]

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tinytjf · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cookiemonster

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tinytjf

Cookie monster - having spotted the bike in your sig, you didn't happen to be out on the Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday evening last week did you? As I'm sure I spotted that bike leant up against a tree while you neatly filled in ruts...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nah, I was down the pub. But On-Ones are common as muck round here so could have been anyone!

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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ah fair enough. Good to know people in Bristol have good taste in bikes though. [:p]

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Jinja Ninja · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ED209

But a couple of questions (maybe for any halfords staff here) - will my local halfords definitely face my frame? I guess if they don't bother I wouldn't ever know (which is more likely to be a worry at the cheaper LBS, they always seem a bit of a cowboy outfit), but do halfords definitely have the equipment to do this?

GT Aggressor XC2 - lovingly crafted by the artisans at Halfords with the addition of XT hydraulic brakes, M520 pedals, Ritchey Ergo foam grips and my old nice and comfy Spesh BG saddle
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

TBH I'd be more careful of Halfrauds.. I mean fords[^]
If they don't sell shimano hollowtech, i'm not too sure how confident i'd be with them ftting it! They should have a BB facing tool as a lot of cranks need frame facing. Hollowtech need special tools to install, not sure if halfords would have them, whilst most LBS sell them.
Personaly I trust LBs as most of them have to gain a reputation whilst halfords sit there being big and pretty knowing that if the irritate one customer by screwing up, it dosn't matter.

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Theres only one return, and it ain't of the "king" Its of the Jedi

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Jinja Ninja · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cookiemonster

Originally posted by tinytjf

Hey Mikey, funny who you bump into on here! You missed a good ride tonight [:p]

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Got some problems with the bike at the moment (spokes again!) and problems off the bike, so not sure when the next cheese will be!

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Theres only one return, and it ain't of the "king" Its of the Jedi

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timberjackwmb · June 2007

do i need to get my bike bb faced as it already has an external bb it should of been done when it was new

Unknown · June 2007

Halfords usually carry the full suite of tools - whether anyone knows how to use them is anyones guess.

I'd get one of these while they still have them:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=2369

And an octalink BB. Piece of piss to install, no facing required, lighter, better bearings, cheaper, and better chainrings.

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Kestrel_daos · June 2007

My Halford certainly DO NOT carry the full suite of tools. Not only did they not have an Octalink Crank tool, but didn't have an Octalink/ISIS bottom bracket tool either. muppets...

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Unknown · June 2007

Jeez, thats horrendous! Not even BB tools?! Mine had facers, chasers, rollers, allsorts of stuff, 1000s of quids worth of tools. Complain mate!

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ED209 · June 2007

See, if anyone else had said get the old octalink cranks I'd have doubted them.....

But, my cranks are indeed going to be replaced under warranty and I really don't want to spend any more on my bike just now (helmet, camelbak, some shorts all adding up in the last couple of weeks [:(]). So, I think I'll hold off for a little while to see how I get on with the new ones. Nearer œ60 inc tools (and fitted by my own fair hands) is a more manageable upgrade though [:)]

GT Aggressor XC2 - lovingly crafted by the artisans at Halfords with the addition of XT hydraulic brakes, M520 pedals, Ritchey Ergo foam grips and my old nice and comfy Spesh BG saddle

Kestrel_daos · June 2007

Well, I would complain to the local Halfords, but he didn't know what even Octalink was, so I don't think I'll be going there again...

Giant XTC SX '06

Switching to hollowtech cranks

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