How much to tighten cranks, pedals, bearings, etc ???
mucRider 31 May 2005 19:16:09
Tyler's current bearing problem brought something to mind. (Tyler thinks his LBS overtightened a bearing and broke it.) It looks to me that many people over-tighten EVERYTHING on their unicycles.
I see people who tighten cranks as tight as they will go then they tighten them some more. I have seen unicycles with bent bearing caps, stripped seatpost clamps, stripped pedal threads, etc. All caused by overtightening.
Could the experts (and non-experts) out there provide some guidelines for tightening stuff?
I'm not an expert either, but I tighten my cranks as tightly as I can with a typical 8" ratchet. I keep the pedals and seat post bolt snug. And the bearing cups, I put on pretty loosely - tight enough that there's no noticeable play, but loose enough that the wheel spins freely.
Also, I second double checking a new uni. Whoever assembled mine hardly used any lube, so it was creaky the second time I rode it. Once I took it apart and rebuilt it with plenty of lube, everything works great and doesn't make noise.
Phlegm, although riding at Euler's skill level, describes the correct tightening of all these components at level ten. As he says, tighten really firmly except bearings. Tighten bearings until your wheel no longer coasts slowly to a stop. All of this information is available using the search facility.
-- harper - TANKED at GASWORKS
-Greg Harper
B L U E S H I F T
"My world view has come crashing down like a drunk clown on a giraffe, riding through a cactus patch..." -evil-nick on "Entry of the Gladiators" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ harper's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/426 View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/40839
Bring your uni and tools to my house and I'll tighten everything for $20. My tools $40. Shipping and handling $20 extra. I'll throw in the lube for free, it comes in small plastic packets marked "Catsup"... don't worry, that just mean's it's Catboy approved
