Cranks Won't Spin Free Backwards

I just put my very dirty bike out in the rain to wash it off. I then hosed it off and dried it, and noticed my FSA Afterburner MegaExo cranks do not spin very freely when spun backwards. They can crank backwards, but won't spin on their own. This may be by design to not spin as freely as a roadie (I don't know), but they seem very sticky... Is something up with them or my bearings?

TIA

- shud

 

More likely the free hub but by removing the chain you can help find the source of the drag

 

I have a similar problem

as I was putting mine back together last night after this weekend's wet ride, I put the cranks back on all greased up (chain not connected), and the cranks barely spun. They shouldn't spin forever like a wheel, but how much spin should they have? ideally as much as possible right?

 

OK. Done.

They both feel sticky.

The free hub spins just a little bit, as does the crank. I'm only pushing a little on either, but feel that both should be spinning much freer than either of them are currently spinning.

- shud

 

your bearings are dead

 

^^ Or maybe just wet? Will a full air dry help out ya think?

- shud

 

You could always take the bearings apart, clean and repack....

 

How often do you pedal backwards?

 

Is it easy to repack the bearings on an external BB? Just curious, since BB aren't really *that* expensive.

 

It's normal, flog it

They are not technically dead until there is lots of play and no longer structurally sound. Could be wet/dry and the grease is being forced out, but it's natural for both BB's and Free hubs to have a lot of stiction compared to Hubs due to the much thicker seals. Sure you can pull, clean, and re-grease if You have the time but if I pulled them out I would just get a new set for $20 or so. Till then just weep a little Tri-flow into the crevices, go easy with the hose and ride till it STOPS turning.:lol:.

 

I had a similar problem years ago after riding some really wet stuff. Couldn't figure it out until I pulled my seatpost out and flipped the bike upside down. A bunch of water came out leaving a good sized puddle. After that, the cranks spun freely. Most frames these days have a drain hole in the bottom bracket. My bike didn't have one of those holes.

 

Yep bike don't like mud and water...riding threw silt in river crossings is even worse. I have a bad weather bike built up with a Phil Wood stainless steel bottom bracket with marine bearings and a Alfine internal geared rear hub.

Dean

 

Ah, good question.

It's not that I pedal backwards (though it does make me look faster!) per se, it's that the cranks with chain in place should spin somewhat freely when they push back against the free hub. Once the chain is off, either direction is fine to test whether or not the cranks have an issue, and maybe I should have stated that.

In any case, the cranks seem stiff, or sticky, and that worries me because they are then fighting against me as I pedal in the forward direction. The free hub also does not spin real easily, though it does spin backwards a bit.

- shud (always pedaling against the grain)

 

^^^ When I wash my bike I remove the chain (BMX link or quick link) for separate treatment so my cranks are free to spin in any direction.

 

Happened to me last year. Did a Mt. Pinos ride and got caught in the rain so the bike got a little muddy. When I got home I hosed it down and put it away. Had the same drag the following weekend. Drive side bearing was completely frozen and the other side was crunchy. I believe that would cause a lot of resistance.

 

Right. That's a good idea.

The cranks seems real stiff -- so it is a concern that it is now harder to pedal because of how sticky it is. Does that make sense? I am not worried about cranking backwards really (that's just because the chain was on, so any forward cranking would have the chain engaged -- spinning backwards was where I noticed how sticky it is); I am not worried about how freely it spins (that is just an indicator how sticky or 'free' it is).

- shud

 

If you have external BB's see if they haven't loosened. Getting out of alignment could cause drag.

When at wits end spray WD-40.

 

They seem nice and tight (and they are external, I believe). Perhaps I'll wait a few days and then apply the WD-40 treatment.

Thanks!

- shud

 

It never left in my world. You can sometimes find Old Race Race Turbine Cranks on E-Bay..not cheap. Middleburn and White Industries still sell square taper cranks.

You are right, Shimano UN-54 Square Taper Bottom Brackets are bomb proof and are $15 online.

Dean

 

If you have outboard bearings you can do this.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=497220