Crank issues and drivetrain questions

[MrTits]

ok, so let me jump right into this....sorry if this comes out really long...

first...bike details...07 cannondale chase 4. truvativ ruktion crank set, truvativ howitzer bb, some random freewheel that came with the bike. here is a LINK (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/cusa/mountain/chase/model-7FSDJ4.html) to cannondale's write up on the bike. i know, its a dirt jumper, but i use this thing as a commuter. i am mostly on paved roads, with some gravel and speed bumps that are were tank tracks (yes tanks as in the military vehicles, i am working/living in baghdad, iraq...no, im not military).

the allen screw that holds my left crank to the bottom bracket keeps slipping back. every 10/15 minutes of riding i have to stop and tighten it up. i have emailed cannondale and they have basically told me i need to replace the crank arm its self. cant find the crank arm, so i started looking at crank sets.

seems that with the howitzer bb, i need to stay with truvativ cranksets. but then i started thinking, why not replace the bb too...then i realized i would need to replace the chain...so then i started thinking that if i were to replace all that, i may as well replace the freewheel too...let everything wear together.

i was looking at the following items, if you have any advice or suggestions for better items...please let me know...

bb - howitzer team 2007 model (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15559-030_TRUHT6-0-Search--/Truvativ-Howitzer-Team-Bottom-Bracket-'07.htm)
cranks - truvative holzfeller 36T (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16104-100_TRUDH6-0-Search--/Truvativ-Holzfeller-1.1-Crankset-'06.htm)(maybe larger, 42T, if i can find it)
freewheel - white industries 20T (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16640-065_WISEF7-0-Search--/White-Industries-ENO-Freewheel.htm)

im hesitant to use the truvativ stuff again since this bike is less than one year old, but i dont really know what to look at...this is my first experience with trying to upgrade a bike.

oh and im a big 'ole fatty..250lbs..so i need some strong stuff..

thanks for all your support and ideas

[rockyrider]

I'd think about a Shimano Saint Single (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=9199&category=380), that's about as hardcore and heavy duty as they come...

Although in Iraq it might be just as easy to buy them from the UK (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3404)...

[MrTits]

holy crap man...that thing looks like it could take being run over by one of those new MRAPs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP_(armored_vehicle)) and not be phased...did i read that right, it comes with the proper bb?

[rockyrider]

Yep it's an external bearing BB you just need to pick the right width, and I'd guess its the 68/73mm wide version as the 85mm wide BB is mostly for big honkin' freeeride suspension bikes.

[MrTits]

dude...you are awesome......thanks man...what do you think about that white industries freewheel? i 'heard' they were the schiz....but what do i know?

[rockyrider]

They are supposed to be the ultimate freewheel. I've never used one but a lot of people swear by them rather than at them.

[MrTits]

decisions decisions....if i go with that shimano...there is no way i can afford to get the new freewheel....

do i replace the whole drive train...or just the crank and bb....

what really sucks...is all i need is a single, maybe $30, crankarm.....

thanks RR..you are the man...

but, before i make a decision...does anyone else have some advice for a fat man?

[@thegates]

I bet you can still ride the cranks if the splines aren't destroyed.

I have done this to a set before. There may be just enough play in the splines to allow the bolt to loosen, but they probably still have some life left in them.
Loctite the bolt and see if that works. If you feel a ton of slop in the cranks, you may want to upgrade.

If that fails, call or e-mail Truvativ (SRAM) and tell them what happened. They helped me out when I stripped the pedal threads out of a crank arm.

Anyway, just a couple more options. I prefer the cheap way, but that's not always the best way.

[MrTits]

yeah, i tried the loctite route...it didnt work.

i thought about contacting SRAM, but i cant find an email address. phone calls back to the states are VERY expensive (about 3 bucks a minute) and to be honest, i hate talking on the phone. but if anyone has an email for someone at SRAM/TruVativ.....

i have looked at the splines on the crank arm, and they look a 'tad' worn in comparison to the other one. im sure i just got a, not junk, but junk crankset. it happens, manufacturing defect and all that.

but see, that is alot of where my confusion lies....do i just deal with stopping half way to work to tighten a bolt.....its not a huge deal, just inconvient. im not really doing anything that requires my gear to stay intact (i.e. jumping off shit). but at the same time, i know its not 'right' and that just bugs me. plus the 'man syndrome' (as the wife calls it) is kicking in....i need to make it better, faster, stronger...gentlemen, we have the technology...hehe. im retarded.

[tryandgetme]

locktite green, but you'll never get it off without cutting it off...make sure it's clean of grease and everything or the locktite won't take. a shot or two of brake cleaner in the hole should do it.

probably the better option is emailing sram, though they don't seem to want anyone to have their email addresses. they probably wan't you to go through a dealer. try finding a dealer (with an email address) through their dealer locator.

[myron]

dude...you are awesome......thanks man...what do you think about that white industries freewheel? i 'heard' they were the schiz....but what do i know?

I have two white freewheels,despite the cost I have no regrets. Four out of five school teachers I ride with have converted to them. ACS is the next best thing, but noticably looser. Go with a white. you will thank yourself later.

[MrTits]

Myron -

Word on the freewheels..i just may have to do it

Tryandgetme-

I got SRAM's email address. I like the idea with loctite...all the way to the point that you wont get it back off...that sort of bothers me. Seems like a half a**ed way to do something (no offense, but im skeered).

and if anyone cares, here is srams email that was given to me from cannondale....sramusa@sram.com

[tryandgetme]

yeah, I wouldn't do it that way either with the green. wearing out of one part means the destruction of both. Red (262) might be an ok alternative, you only have to heat it up to about 250 degrees C to get it apart. Gentle warming with a torch does it. I've used it for a fixie cog, and I was even able to get it off without heating it (but that took a lot of muscle). But see what sram says first.

[MrTits]

well, i went on and ordered the TruVativ Holzfeller. I figure, I just NEED this thing to work until June08 (then I'm coming home). Then I can upgrade to my hearts content.


Sent an email to SRAM, so hopefully they will get back with me in the next few days. If they do, and are willing to fix the issue, I will have two cranksets to play with....

Thanks ya'll for the help!

Mr( . Y . )

[50 Mission Cap]

I have two white freewheels,despite the cost I have no regrets. Four out of five school teachers I ride with have converted to them. ACS is the next best thing, but noticably looser. Go with a white. you will thank yourself later.

The teachers I ride w/ have also converted. I really don't even care about the durability... I just get all chubb when I hear the sound of the free wheel engaging.