August 2021 - Bike TLC time.

I had to stop. The clunking was getting worse. 

Was there something loose? I needed to check. Grabbing my pedals, pushing then pulling them at 90 degrees to the frame gave me the answer I didn’t want to hear. 

It moved. 

Was I making it up?

Was I sure? 

I pushed then pulled the crank away from the frame once more, this time looking carefully at the bottom bracket. 

Yes there was a definite movement. Bother! 

Maybe the crank had just worked loose? 

I would have to wait till I got home to check that one. But in my heart of hearts, I knew that I was looking at replacing the bottom bracket again. But thankfully,  this time, the job didn’t fill me with quite as much fear as it had the first. 

It was too dark to do anything when I got home, instead I ordered another bottom bracket - just in case I needed one and knowing it wouldn’t go to waste. Then I patiently waited for the next sunny day to take a proper look. 

The sun came out, so did the bike stand. 

As always, I took a set of photos to remind me how it all looked before taking apart. I am not experienced enough to know what looks right and don’t ever trust my memory. 

A quick reminder from Kelvin on the invaluable Park tool You tube channel and I was off and running. 

I checked the crank. Nope, not loose. So that confirmed it. The non drive side came off really easily and with a slight tap of a mallet so did the drive side. Meanwhile my chain enjoyed a luxurious bath of well earned degreaser. 

The bearings were surrounded by a mix of grease and grime. No wonder they weren’t running smoothly. I removed them and set to cleaning the area where they once sat. 

Then time to put the new ones on. Grease first just like Kelvin said. Then fit the  non-drive side being careful not to cross thread it. 

It wouldn’t screw in. What was going on? 

I tried again. Nope. It just wasn’t going to do up without force and I knew that wasn’t right. 

I stopped. Went back to the instructions. Nope, no inspiration there. Was I going to have to admit defeat and find a bike shop? 

I checked the arrows on the new bearings. I was definitely turning it the right way. What was going on? 

I went back to Kelvin. Watched the video once more. 

Stopped it. 

Replayed. 

Checked. 

That was it! How stupid did I feel? 

I’d turned the bike round when removing the cranks. I was trying to fit the non drive bearing cup onto the chain side. 

I tried the other side. It went on like a dream. Back to the drive side (the side the chain goes on) and that slipped straight on too. I was so glad that I hadn’t resorted to brute force. 

They were on, and ready for the crankset. The upgrade looking a much smarter black. 

I wondered how far the old one had gone and how far this new one would manage. I thought I really ought to make notes, then decided that was just way too geeky. 

Everything back together, just in time for a scheduled and hopefully very smooth bike ride! 

As for taking photos - can you spot the mistake? I didn’t till

I checked. 

All sorted now.