? for bike mechanics #2

First, does the new crank fit on the bottom bracket you have OR did it come with it's own?  The bottom bracket and crank have to be compatable.

actaully doing the work is not too hard, but you will need about 25-30 bucks of tools.  You will need a crank puller and maybe a bottom bracket removal tool (if you are putting in a new bottom bracket as well).

Well the new one is coming with a new BB but  my current crank and the new one are both FSA and use the Mega Exo BB, so i guess I don't actually have to change the BB.

This thread should help:

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=130665&start=1 

It's very easy to swap out the crank. Since they are both FSA, just use the instructions that came with the new crank set and I'm certain that you will be able to do it. Swapping out the bottom bracket is not complicated either, but does require a special tool.

Just remember that you need to adjust the front derailleur as well (moved down and then you very likely need to adjust the stop positions).

If you're not changing the bottom bracket, I"m pretty sure the only tool you'll need is an allen wrench.  Take off the non-drive side crankarm and the old crank should slide right out.  Lightly grease the axle on the new one, slide it in and reinstall the crankarm and you're done.

If you're switching from a standard crank to a compact, you'll also need to move the front derailleur down a little bit.  If it's a clamp-on (clamps around the seat tube), loosen the clamp, move it down so that it clears the big chainring by about the width of a penny, retighten the clamp, snug up the cable and you're done.

I recently switched from an FSA Energy compact to an FSA Gossamer standard, and I didn't have to change the in-out adjustment on the front derailleur at all.

Edited by tjh 2009-09-11 12:32 AM

Yeah, whoever put that together seems to know what they are doing with mechanical stuff on bikes.