Which cranks set is right for right 2x, 3x, compact, midcompact, what BB is compatible?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 4, 2018

It turns out  that for crankset alone, a lot has to be learned. There are various questions that raised:

1. What is meaning of compact, midcompact, and regular crank?

2. What is a triplet?

3. Which of number 1 fits me?

4. What about BB?

5. Can I use MTB cranks for RB or vice versa?

6. How about chaning the blades (the chains of the  chainsets)?

Crankset buying guide






Cheat Sheet for BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) -Common Diameter of All Bolts in a Crank/chainset

Cheat Sheet For Finding Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD)

[table color=”grey” ]

# Bolts in Circle	Measurement Between Adjacent Holes		Bolt Circle Diameter ( BCD )
	Metric (Millimeter)	English (Inches)
4	45.3 mm	1.78 inch	64 mm
4	56.6 mm	2.23 inch	80 mm
4	73.5 mm	2.90 inch	104 mm
4	84.9 mm	3.34 inch	120 mm
5	43.5 mm	1.71 inch	74 mm
5	64.7 mm	2.55 inch	110 mm
5	76.4 mm	3.01 inch	130 mm
5	79.4 mm	3.12 inch	135 mm

[/table]

Look at the photos and compare to your crank or chainrings.  Find the number of bolts in the circle (Left Column) and the approximate measurement (metric or English) between adjacent holes.  Find those numbers in the table, then in the Right Column you’ll see the Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD).  Use this information to buy the correct chainrings for your bike.
__________

Again, Please NOTE:  This applies ONLY when the bolt holes are evenly spaced.  It will not apply, for example, to the newer 4-bolt road cranks from Shimano and Campy because the holes are not spaced evenly.

These newer cranks also have a bolt circle diameter, but you’ll need to measure directly across opposite holes to get it — not, as shown in the cheat sheet, center-to-center on adjacent holes.

Discounts for Recyclists from Bikezilla

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 21, 2018

I just arrived from a trip to Bikezilla a two ride destination from Angono:  1 ride to G liner or RRCG, from G liner just  50 meters walk from Galleria  to Cyberspace Alpha (street parallel) to Ortigas) near the entrance (to the left)

I was there inquire and research solution to the bottom bracket solution for the SRAM Red crankset to fit into an 86.5 BB shell the Bianchi frameset)  There I met Mr. Amado de Leon, who happens to be son in law of a cousin in Pag asa who also owns a bikeshop. There I learned several things:

1. They carry a lot of stock of GXP 86.5 x 41 which would fit most Shimano crankset

2. But not my SRAM red which is only 74 mm long.   The crank axle length must be at least 100 mm to fit and have space to attach the crank arm

That is why pala not too many buy the SRAM crank arm despite its light weight. BB 30 specific siya:  frame and BB.

3.  They carry plenty of high end BB of all types

4. He and the missing link mechanic trained with SRAM and elsewhere for advanced bikes tech

5. That other  bike shops get parts from them which they sell 2x to unsuspecting victims who do not bother to ask

And oh yes. I told him we just  came from Vigan, and he knows VM.  I told him we have discounts like from say John Wilkies and Enso.  And said HE WOULD OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ALL CARD BEARING RECYCLISTS MEMBERS

                                                     Discounts for Card Bearing Recyclists
Their contact:  

Address:   Unit 4A GF RobinsonsCyberspace Alpha Sapphire Road Ortigas Ctr. Pasig City

CP:     0927 351 5595

email:    bikezilla2009@gmail.com

FB:    www.facebook.com/BikezillaPH

Look for Mr. Amado de Leon

Some advice when you have your bike repainted

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 26,2018

I had my road bike repainted. It was a great opportunity to review the mechanics of a bike and clean it thoroughly. There is much accumulated amount of dirt at the bolts, inside the bottom bracket,bearings head set, at the RD, the pulleys the  brakes.  It was chance for me to detail and clean them one by one.

On the repainting as I was reassembling the bike  I must admit I made a lot  of omission and that which I say must be done prior to repainting, or before reassembling:

1. Mask cover the bottom bracket shell so that there will be pain spray or drops inside the shell which contains the thread. I spent a great deal of time cleaning the threads kasi ayaw pumasok at humigpit ang bb (ISIS drive0

2. Mask the seat tube, seat post and the fork part that meets the bottom of the frame set.

3.  Cover mask the  painted parts before assembling.  May scratches na newly painted frame after the assembly.

I would say the straight painters are careless... Di asikaso ang mangyayari sa mag aassemble o sa mechanical parts when they overspray.

I had to replace my MTB chainring; I lost the tensioner bolt the second time

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 28, 2017

I had to replace the SAVA crank/chainring set for it lost the tensioner bolt the second time.  I lost the original tensioner bolt and I bought a new one from bike parts/ph in Masinag (c/o Jam) but lost it again 2 days after I replaced it.   It could be that the spline is all ready worn out.

I looked for replacement and settled for Fun Ridge crank at Ciclismo which I got for P2,500.  It had bigger spline and was almost like an octalink (robust construction) and came with its own bottom bracket.

After tightening the crank tensioner and the crank bolts to the max, I do not forsee any more missing problems with this crank in the future

Year end bike cleaning

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 31, 2016

I did not bike today because I think I over reached yesterday.  And the weather did not look ok - there was a slight shower. I decided I would clean all my MTBs.  The Mosso pedalling was rougher and tougher than the others and inspection of the bottom brackets (the outboard type) look that they have plenty of grime.

So I took apart the Mosso crank first and found out that dirt and some fibers were jamming the shaft and bearing so it could not turn freely.  I cleaned the plastic bearings, put some motor oil and then lined them with grease.  I used 1,200 grit sand paper to clean the shaft and put some grease too.  Then I brushed the chain rings with kerosene, washed with water and wiped with dry rags to remove the grime on the chain ring.   Then I washed the tires with soap and water, trying hard to make the tires all black again (mud had stuck to the sides of the tire)  wiped the rim too. Then cleaned the chain too, and afterwards put some oil on the chain. I repeated the process with SAVA carbon and SAVA titanium.   I noticed that the fitment of SAVA carbon BB was ill made.  (Well Chinese technology)

The bikes were dirty after all.  The undersides which I did not see often needed detailed and thorough cleaning.  Only the bike owner, not the boys in your house, not the maida, or your wife or children can do this cleaning for you.  Only you

Or maybe your mechanic and wait for a week