Crank arm fell off!

[Aberrix]

So I just picked up my brand new 05' Specialized Hardrock Comp last Thursday (6/22), my first mountain bike. I've been riding it around the neighborhood with my wife since then without any issues. My friend and I rode Mammoth last night (it was awesome!) and half way through it felt like my pedal was loose or my shoe had mud on it... nope! MY CRANK ARM WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF! The whole arm was loose and was barely holding on, I kept having to stop to finger tighten (with a car key, didn’t have any tools) to limp my bike out of the trails and back to the car. When I got home I took an allen wrench and tightened it down with all my strength. I rode it around a little (100ft?) and then checked it and I could tighten it a little more, it loosened?. I am concerned this is going to be a continuing problem... My question(s) are this:

1) I could have sworn I read about a recall on the cranks when I was researching this bike, does anyone know if there is one? Where would I look to find out?

2) How does something like this happen?

3) And, what if anything should I expect my LBS to do to "right" the situation?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Aberrix]

CRANKSET: Truvativ ISO-Flow, alloy, capless bolts

[Kosk]

Figure out if there was a recall.

Otherwise, go get some blue lock-tight at the hardware store, reef that sucker down and be done with it.

[berrywise]

So I just picked up my brand new 05' Specialized Hardrock Comp last Thursday (6/22), my first mountain bike. I've been riding it around the neighborhood with my wife since then without any issues. My friend and I rode Mammoth last night (it was awesome!) and half way through it felt like my pedal was loose or my shoe had mud on it... nope! MY CRANK ARM WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF! The whole arm was loose and was barely holding on, I kept having to stop to finger tighten (with a car key, didn’t have any tools) to limp my bike out of the trails and back to the car. When I got home I took an allen wrench and tightened it down with all my strength. I rode it around a little (100ft?) and then checked it and I could tighten it a little more, it loosened?. I am concerned this is going to be a continuing problem... My question(s) are this:

1) I could have sworn I read about a recall on the cranks when I was researching this bike, does anyone know if there is one? Where would I look to find out?

2) How does something like this happen?

3) And, what if anything should I expect my LBS to do to "right" the situation?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Sounds like whoever built up your bike was not quite thorough enough to check the crank bolts to make sure they were tightened to spec. As you were riding it around the crank was moving a bit more side to side working the bolt loose.

Check the inside of the crank to see if it still looks square. Using a torque wrench to get the crank bolts tightened to spec is never a bad way to go. If you overtighten a square hole crank you can actually make it easier to come off by pushing the crank arm to far up the bottom bracket spindle, mushrooming it out a bit.

Bring the bike back to the shop and explained what happened. A good shop will take care of ya on this one.

[Danimal]

Have them fix it. Since it is brand new the LBS should have no problem righting the situation. I have purchased all of my rides from Eriks in Bloomington (shameless plug) because of their service and they have always gone the extra mile to make sure I was happy. I have taken my Cannondale Prophet back to them at least 3x for fine tuning since my purchase and all the additional tweaking was free.

They should take care of it for you, no hassles.

[berrywise]

CRANKSET: Truvativ ISO-Flow, alloy, capless bolts

scrap what I said looks like ya got a nicer crankset than I figured. Still sounds like the shop didn't tighten it down but since it isn't a square hole you just need to probably follow what Pete said.

If the shop is close enough to ya they should still help ya out doing that.

[Aberrix]

Figure out if there was a recall.

How would I find this out? Is there a specific website? Call Specialized?

[Kosk]

How would I find this out? Is there a specific website? Call Specialized?

Well, its a Truvativ product, so I'd check the SRAM site first.
www.sram.com

Google is your friend as well.

[Aberrix]

I took it into my LBS (Eriks Bike Shop - Burnsville) and they replaced the bolt and cranked everything down to spec. Hopefully this won't happen again...

[Trevize1138]

I took it into my LBS (Eriks Bike Shop - Burnsville) and they replaced the bolt and cranked everything down to spec. Hopefully this won't happen again...

It shouldn't. If the crank arm is bolted on to spec then the only reason it would ever fall off is metal fatigue. Happened to me once, but it was actually the BB spindle. Then again, that was my Suntour XC Xpert groupo on my '95 Paramount. That stuff was built to be lightweight, not durable! In fact, I believe the BB spindle snapped in two when I dropped off a curb. :shocked:

[tedsti]

Is this an ISIS crank? One thing to watch out for is if you rode on the crack for awhile while it was loose. If you did, you might have messed up the splines. If the splines get tapered, the crank will not stay tight, no matter how tight you crank on it. The only solution is a new crankarm. This has happened to me on both square taper and Octalink.

[jkalla]

Riding with loose crank can ruin either your bottom bracket spindle or your crank. A little bit of play and that thing will start to wear down either the edges of the square ends on a tapered fit or the teeth on a isis or shimano. If it keeps loosening up - have the LBS take off the crank arm and check to make sure there isn't any wear. They should replace it is there is a problem - I think Erik's (if that is where you bought the bike) has a parts replacement guarentee and this sounds like it was their fault.

[Aberrix]

If it keeps loosening up - have the LBS take off the crank arm and check to make sure there isn't any wear. They should replace it is there is a problem - I think Erik's (if that is where you bought the bike) has a parts replacement guarentee and this sounds like it was their fault.
Yes, I bought it from Eriks. I have nothing to say but great stuff about the Burnsville Eriks. I've bought my snowboard from them, a new yakima roof rack and also my wifes bike (06' hardrock sport w/ disc). They logged the work to my bike in the computer so if this does happen again I am going to ask they replace the BB, spindle, crank, etc.

I did ride on it loose, I dont know for how long or how rough I rode it before I noticed. After I noticed I babied it as best as I could but I also was just pissed it happened and wanted to get back to the car so I didnt walk it :P I figure if I did mess it up from riding on it loose, its not my fault it became loose and therefor my LBS should replace it if it became damaged.

I did not take the arm off when I got home, nor did my LBS... So I couldnt tell you if it is worn or damaged... I guess I'll have to wait and see if I have any further issues with it... I hope not :/

[Blurred]

Just so you know, my buddy bought a 05' Epic from burnsville Eriks and the first night he rode it (about 3 weeks ago) the Truvativ crank came apart, while he was making the first climb at Buck Hill. Eriks temporarly fixed it, and told him to return when he could give the bike up for a few days. You are not the only person with that problem, maybe a good idea is to tell Eriks to go over your bike with a torque wrench. I like Eriks too, but it's not wrong to tell them their mistake and hold them accountable. They have hooked me up in the past, so I can't bad mouth them, but they have to step up.

[Aberrix]

I've ridden on it twice now with no issues. Thanks again for everyone's input and reassurance.

[danger!]

Funny, my neighbor just bought a Speshy Allez road ride, and he was telling me the crank on it fell off the other night on a ride!

Hmmm...Speshy have a newbie on the line installing cranks? :D