**Bicycle experts needed** - Help fixing me bike!

stphnstevey

The peddle has fallen off me bike! :eek:

I think it has cross threaded and gradually worn away over time, there is now a bigger whole in the crank arm (?) than the peddle.

Its the right crank set (with all the cogs). I've read I need a special tool to get the crank off (thats not a problem as they are a few quid on ebay).

But is the right crank always fixed to the cogs? ie can I just replace the crank arm or are they always connected to the cogs?

If they are, I've read that they are quite expensive - I only paid £40 for the bike new, so wanted to repair it as cheaply as possible, if too expensive, I may as well get another bike

Thanks for your help and apologies if I haven't used the correct terminology

Strider590

Same thing happened to my ex, instead of fixing the problem when it started, she carried on for months until the pedal fell off.

It's not rocket science, socket wrench, allen key's, take it apart, see what's broken, change it.
If you have to replace a crank arm though, you should replace both, as they come if different lengths and sizes.

HappyMJ

stphnstevey wrote: »

The peddle has fallen off me bike! :eek:

I think it has cross threaded and gradually worn away over time, there is now a bigger whole in the crank arm (?) than the peddle.

Its the right crank set (with all the cogs). I've read I need a special tool to get the crank off (thats not a problem as they are a few quid on ebay).

But is the right crank always fixed to the cogs? ie can I just replace the crank arm or are they always connected to the cogs?

If they are, I've read that they are quite expensive - I only paid £40 for the bike new, so wanted to repair it as cheaply as possible, if too expensive, I may as well get another bike

Thanks for your help and apologies if I haven't used the correct terminology

How old is the £40 bike? I'd say get another one. They are built cheap and really can only be expected to last a year before things start breaking. You've lost a pedal today but what will break next week?

stphnstevey

Its lasted a few years of light use

Just phoned Halfords and they said £30+ for crank set and £15-20 to fit. Minimum £45.

Wondering if could get a crank set off Ebay? How would I know what I am looking for-I have no idea about the specifications of the current one or what could replace it?

Anyone seen any cheap new bike deals? Might as well look for a second hand one on ebay I guess!

spiro

You paid £40, its last a few years, Halfords say £45 to repair. You may spend less if you fix it yourself but maybe only about £20. So do you think the bike is worth is based on its general condition? Also have you checked what your local bike shop would charge?

rdr

stphnstevey wrote: »

The peddle has fallen off me bike! :eek:

I think it has cross threaded and gradually worn away over time, there is now a bigger whole in the crank arm (?) than the peddle.

Its the right crank set (with all the cogs). I've read I need a special tool to get the crank off (thats not a problem as they are a few quid on ebay).
best done with the proper tool, if you can bodge the pedal in you can often get the crank off by riding the bike after removing the bolts.

But is the right crank always fixed to the cogs? ie can I just replace the crank arm or are they always connected to the cogs?
On cheap bikes they are generaly rivited on, on better bikes they are bolted on and replacable, mind you they can cost £40 a ring.

If they are, I've read that they are quite expensive - I only paid £40 for the bike new, so wanted to repair it as cheaply as possible, if too expensive, I may as well get another bike
A £40 bike, is really a bike shaped object, you can fix this problem for £20-30 but things will keep breaking and you will end up spending money constantly. I don't think you can buy a decent new bike for less than £200 (OK may be 150 at decathlon) so if you can't run to this buy second hand.
Thanks for your help and apologies if I haven't used the correct terminology

your crank is probably 175mm and 44/34/24, measure centre to centre bottom braket to pedal and count the teeth on the cogs, it should take 5 minutes to fit a like for like replacement.

rev_henry

I'd spend £50-100 on a secondhand bike from a half decent brand.