{"id":4154,"date":"2018-12-31T07:04:25","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T07:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/?p=4154"},"modified":"2026-06-10T06:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T06:38:20","slug":"square-taper-crankset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/square-taper-crankset\/","title":{"rendered":"Square Taper Crankset: The Ultimate Guide (Includes Removal &#038; Install)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">This guide provides <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">everything you need to know<\/span><\/strong> about a square taper crankset including<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"bul-43df934f-a968-4845-e2de-f8635c72f08e\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">how to <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>remove<\/strong><\/span> this type of crankset<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">how to <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">use<\/span><\/strong> a crank arm puller<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">how to (re)<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>install<\/strong><\/span> the crankset<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But, first of all, what is a crank? And why can&#8217;t we say &#8220;crank <em>arm<\/em>&#8220;?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\">Crank vs Crankset<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Let\u2019s first of all deal with the issue of crank vs crankset.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A \u201ccrank\u201d is part of a shaft that translates energy directly from the source into the movement of components in a mechanical system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">To be fussy about definitions, the crank is actually the bent part of the shaft. It forms an angle with the rest of the shaft which for bikes is the bottom bracket spindle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">That means you don\u2019t need to talk about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/bike-crank-arm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">crank \u201carm\u201d<\/a>. Crank is enough.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The same can be said about crankset: the crankset is the crank, ie. the arm, the spider on the drive side, and the chainrings which bolt onto the spider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Crankset is a way to indicate the <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">whole assembly comprised <\/span><\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">by<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> these components<\/span><\/strong>. Spiders are limited; cranks come in more variations; most variety is with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/cranksets\/chainrings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chainrings<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Crank arms come in specific lengths. 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm are the most common.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/170mm-crank.jpg\" alt=\"170mm crank arm\" class=\"wp-image-4164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/170mm-crank.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/170mm-crank-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/170mm-crank-768x462.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You&#8217;ll usually find the spec printed somewhere on the crank, often on the inside face opposite to this one<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The Spider allows you to swap your chainrings to achieve different gear ratios, within reason of course.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Let&#8217;s say you are running standard 53\/39T chainrings on the front and swap them out for a compact, say 36\/30T. You\u2019ll need a front derailleur just for that. You\u2019ll also need to take into consideration the rear derailleur cage size\u2014you may need to change the derailleur as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You\u2019ll also need to take the BCD (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeman.com\/bicycle-repair-tech-info\/bikeman-tech-info\/1628-chainring-bcd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bolt Circle Diameter<\/a>) into consideration. <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Very important you get chainrings that will actually fit your crank<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Having said that, chainrings are available in a huge variety of combinations single, double, or triple configurations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">What\u2019s your poison? Cross-country, gravel, time-trial, fixie chic urban cycling . . . there\u2019s a selection of chainrings to suit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Given the <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"bul-bc2f5956-b494-cb78-0d0f-d04d7858a996\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">widening selection of chainrings, plus<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">the increasingly wide variety of cassettes available nowadays<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">you can achieve a corresponding increasingly <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">wide variety of gear ratios<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\">How do you Measure Crank Length?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">The \u201carm\u201d is what we are talking about here specifically. And the arm length is measured from \u201ccenter\u201d to \u201ccenter\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Now, you should be about to protest loudly right now.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Didn\u2019t I mention above that there is no need to mention \u201carm\u201d when talking about cranks since a \u201ccrank\u201d is a crank-arm by definition?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Yeah, but the expression is so common that I\u2019ll mention &#8220;crank arm&#8221; here and there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Anyway, it\u2019s sort-of necessary here.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4167 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-center-to-center.jpg\" alt=\"bike crank center to center measurement\" width=\"800\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-center-to-center.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-center-to-center-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-center-to-center-768x441.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">So the first \u201ccenter\u201d is the center of the bottom bracket spindle\u2014which is the imaginary point right in the center of the aperture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The second point is the center of the pedal spindle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">This one measures 170mm, center-to-center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\">What is the Standard Crank Arm Length?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Standard is 172.5mm. Short begins with 170mm. Although depending on who you talk to, 170mm may be \u201cstandard\u201d. Longer begins with 175mm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The general rule has always been that the taller the rider\u2014and the longer the leg\u2014so too the crank should be longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">But here\u2019s <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">a scientific study that says&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.active.com\/cycling\/articles\/crank-length-does-size-matter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">crank length doesn\u2019t matter<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Or rather, you need to select the appropriate crank, which includes the appropriate crank length, for the specific riding context.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">I won\u2019t go on about it here. You should read it and evaluate the argument for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\">What is a Square Taper Crankset?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The crankset gets the <em>square taper<\/em> name from the type of bottom bracket to which the crank is mounted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/square-taper-bottom-bracket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ultimate Guide to Square Taper Bottom Brackets<\/a> for more information on these.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 28px;\">The Ultimate Guide to Square Taper Bottom Brackets<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"wpsebtn\" id=\"btn-40d9bfd6-60db-40b0-dc9e-a59ed208cd7b\" data-text=\"Go to Article . . .\" data-font-size=\"20\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background=\"#14A73C\" data-padding-left=\"12\" data-padding-top=\"6\" data-padding-right=\"12\" data-padding-bottom=\"6\" data-border-radius=\"0\" data-border-color=\"#357ebd\" data-border-width=\"1\" data-color-hover=\"#ffffff\" data-background-hover=\"#20d62f\" data-box-shadow-color-hover=\"#bababa\" data-box-shadow-horz-hover=\"3\" data-box-shadow-vert-hover=\"3\" data-box-shadow-blur-hover=\"3\" data-box-shadow-spread-hover=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/square-taper-bottom-bracket\/\" type=\"button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Go to Article . . . <\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The post gives you all you need to know about square taper bottom brackets including how to remove and install them in great detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong>Here are the key points<\/strong> setting the scene for our look into square taper cranksets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Most square taper bottom brackets come in cartridge form.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-419 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/cartridge-bottom-bracket-f-2001e-1024x816.jpg\" alt=\"Cartridge Bottom Bracket Bc 1.37&quot; x 24T\" width=\"1024\" height=\"816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/cartridge-bottom-bracket-f-2001e-1024x816.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/cartridge-bottom-bracket-f-2001e-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/cartridge-bottom-bracket-f-2001e-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/cartridge-bottom-bracket-f-2001e.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The bearings are sealed units that sit permanently inside the bottom bracket\u2019s body. The unit is seated into matching threads inside the bottom bracket shell, then screwed into the shell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cartridges are both cheap and durable<\/span><\/strong>. When the bearings begin to fail, remove the cartridge and install a new one.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-431 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bottom-bracket-axle-bearings-Lf-124_LF-125.jpg\" alt=\"Bottom Bracket Axle and Bearings\" width=\"1400\" height=\"809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bottom-bracket-axle-bearings-Lf-124_LF-125.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bottom-bracket-axle-bearings-Lf-124_LF-125-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bottom-bracket-axle-bearings-Lf-124_LF-125-768x444.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bottom-bracket-axle-bearings-Lf-124_LF-125-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You do find square taper bottom bracket setups where the spindle rotates courtesy of a cup and cone with bearings in a race.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">And yes, <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">this is a spindle since it \u201cspins\u201d<\/span><\/strong>\u2014an axle, on the other hand, is fixed with the bearings rotating around it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The \u201csquare\u201d relates to the seemingly obvious four faces that make up the square taper spindle\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The end is actually an octagon since the square edges have been bevelled slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Still, practically speaking you have four surfaces generally tapered at a 2\u00b0 to the spindle\u2019s centerline.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/square-taper-end.jpg\" alt=\"square taper bottom bracket end closeup\" width=\"608\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/square-taper-end.jpg 304w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/square-taper-end-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">That forms a wedge in relation to the crank\u2019s aperture surfaces which also taper outwards, narrowing towards the outside.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-427 size-full alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/crank-bolt-m12.jpg\" alt=\"M12 (12mm) Crank Bolt\" width=\"300\" height=\"249\"><\/figure><p><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The crank is wedged into a <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">tight connection<\/span><\/strong> with the tapered spindle through tightening the crank bolts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Using a torque wrench will ensure you don\u2019t tighten either bolt too much. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Going too far may result in stripping the spindle\u2019s thread<\/span><\/strong>; you\u2019ll be out of pocket for another BB.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Not a great expense but you\u2019ll certainly want to avoid the rigmarole involved in removing the old and installing the new.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 32px;\">How to Remove a Square Taper Crankset<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">It is crucially important to remove your crankset correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You don\u2019t want to damage either the crank or the bottom bracket if you are looking to reuse either component.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The tools required are as follows.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3867 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-allen-wrench.jpg\" alt=\"8mm Allen Wrench\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-allen-wrench.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-allen-wrench-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-allen-wrench-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">An 8mm allen wrench from your set of allen wrenches is the first.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3862 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/allen-wrench-set.jpg\" alt=\"Allen Wrench Set\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/allen-wrench-set.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/allen-wrench-set-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/allen-wrench-set-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Get yourself a set of these, by the way, as you\u2019ll need every one of them at some time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Double up on the 4mm and 5mm wrenches since they are used the most on bikes\u2014brakes, derailleurs, stems, handlebars, accessories . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">For most wrenching jobs, <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">the longer the \u201cgrip\u201d the better.<\/span><\/strong> Gives you extra leverage and thus more control when breaking tight bolts free of their threads, or securely tightening bolts home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The 8mm wrench is for removing the crank bolts. And re-fitting them later on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You\u2019ll need quite a lot of force to break these bolts loose. Once loose, though, they will <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">just screw out easily.<\/span><\/strong> Well, as long as they were installed with grease.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3866 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-torque-wrench.jpg\" alt=\"Large Torque Wrench\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-torque-wrench.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-torque-wrench-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-torque-wrench-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A long-handled torque wrench is really useful. You won&#8217;t go wrong having one sitting around for any heavy-duty wrenching jobs that might need doing<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You\u2019ll need to avoid overtightening, or perhaps more importantly, undertightening the crank bolts when installing the crank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>A big wrench like this makes breaking the bolts free of the spindle a lot easier<\/strong><\/span>. You just dial the torque setting up to 70 nM or more.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4159 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-socket-half-inch-drive-reduced.jpg\" alt=\"8mm bit for socket wrench\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-socket-half-inch-drive-reduced.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-socket-half-inch-drive-reduced-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-socket-half-inch-drive-reduced-768x600.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/8mm-socket-half-inch-drive-reduced-1024x800.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You will need an 8mm bit with a half-inch socket drive for both installing the bolts properly and removing them down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Or you can use a smaller tool. Then extend the handle with a piece of pipe or something like that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A seat post is perfect for this. Long and not so large in diameter so the angle between it and the wrench won\u2019t be too large.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The essential tool, though, is a crank puller. What is it, how do you use it and what other tools do you need with it? Check out the next section.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\">You Need a Crank Arm Puller or \u201cISIS\u201d Crank Puller<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Why ISIS or<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> International Splined Interface Standard<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">ISIS was an \u201copen source\u201d, if you like, response to Shimano\u2019s Octalink innovation. (<a href=\"https:\/\/forums.mtbr.com\/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks\/why-does-octalink-suck-so-bad-257736.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Great discussion on the whole Octalink vs ISIS thing<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Anyway, just go find and order a crank puller online\u2014you\u2019ll need it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You can get tool bundles with a crank puller plus wrenches for around seven bucks or so on Amazon. No excuse not to have one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Ok, sure, you can remove the crank without one. But that relies on impact force and . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">. . . Good Luck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">I think of using <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>impact techniques in bicycle assembly or disassembly<\/strong><\/span> as like surgery on the human body. Surgery is invasive and <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>only ever a last resort<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Same with bangin\u2019 stuff on your bike. Slow consistent pressure, building slowly then releasing slowly is usually always the best approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Here&#8217;s a video example of the sort of thing I\u2019m talking about. One of the better ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/me3ioA2sRbQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">He uses a screwdriver as a wedge in between the lockring face and the crank. Tapping it has the effect of squeezing the crank away from the spindle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Gently coaxing the crank off the spindle is much better than hammering directly into the crank<\/strong><\/span> at around 90\u00b0 which is what others demonstrate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A slip of the hammer, screwdriver or, heavens forbid, cold chisel (!!!) may mean a dented frame and\/or a ruined crank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">He makes it look easier than it is. You really have to have the right touch and there is a learning curve involved to get that touch.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4170 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-retracted.jpg\" alt=\"isis crank puller\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-retracted.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-retracted-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-retracted-768x435.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">This is the doodad you&#8217;ll need . . . and even after a decade of faithful service, this one&#8217;s still good to go.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The big end on the left screws into the crank\u2014your crank has threads cut into the spindle aperture and the puller will fit right in.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The right side bolt that screws through the crank puller&#8217;s body makes contact with the square taper spindle end.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-extended.jpg\" alt=\"isis crank puller foot extended\" class=\"wp-image-4169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-extended.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-extended-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-foot-extended-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Here the foot is fully extended. You won&#8217;t need to screw it all the way in like this. But you get the idea.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-with-handle.jpg\" alt=\"crank puller with arm\" class=\"wp-image-4161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-with-handle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-with-handle-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-puller-with-handle-768x446.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You can get crank puller\u2019s with handles for convenience. I use one of these for that very reason.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; color: #000000;\">How do you Use a Crank Puller?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Nothing much to it really.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You can see the whole process in our video on Removing and Installing a Square Taper Crank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ndsaWW6Wp5c\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Or read on. We cover the whole process below.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4181 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/removing-crank-bolt.jpg\" alt=\"removing crank bolt\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/removing-crank-bolt.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/removing-crank-bolt-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/removing-crank-bolt-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Firstly, remove the crank bolt with the 8mm wrench.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4165 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-8mm-allen-key.jpg\" alt=\"crank bolt almost fully removed\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-8mm-allen-key.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-8mm-allen-key-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-8mm-allen-key-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Once you&#8217;ve broken the bolt free, it will come out easily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Turn the bolt that controls the depth of the crank puller\u2019s foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Screw it out as far as it will go. Or rather, back into the crank puller\u2019s body. Then install it into the crank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">As with any threaded tool or component that you need to always <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>be mindful not to cross the threads<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4183 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screwing-crank-puller-into-crank.jpg\" alt=\"crank puller in crank\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screwing-crank-puller-into-crank.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screwing-crank-puller-into-crank-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screwing-crank-puller-into-crank-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">This thread is conventional right-hand thread so seat it correctly in the crank threads.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oiling-crank-puller-threads.jpg\" alt=\"applying oil to crank puller\" class=\"wp-image-4177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oiling-crank-puller-threads.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oiling-crank-puller-threads-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oiling-crank-puller-threads-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">It also does not hurt to apply some light oil, sewing machine oil, that sort of thing, to the threads. <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Light lubrication<\/strong><\/span> ensures easier installation and removal, as well giving the most resistant-free experience in turning the foot bolt and pressing the crank away from the spindle.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4182 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screw-foot-square-taper-crank-puller.jpg\" alt=\"crank puller completely inserted into crank\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screw-foot-square-taper-crank-puller.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screw-foot-square-taper-crank-puller-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/screw-foot-square-taper-crank-puller-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Once the crank puller is securely you will merely need to screw the foot back towards the crank until it contacts the square taper spindle\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The goal is to break the crank\u2019s grip on the square taper spindle<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4162 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crescent-wrench-socket-tool-reduced-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"8mm socket wrencc\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crescent-wrench-socket-tool-reduced-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crescent-wrench-socket-tool-reduced-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crescent-wrench-socket-tool-reduced-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crescent-wrench-socket-tool-reduced.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A 15mm socket wrench is the best tool to use. A socket ratchet wrench is the most convenient of course. Or ring spanner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Basically you want to be using a tool with the longest handle possible. That way you will get the leverage required for the intial turns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A crescent wrench will be fine also, but more likely to slip given the amount of force required at the very beginning of this procedure. Nevertheless, a big crescent wrench with a long handle will give you more leverage than alternative, shorter handled, tools.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4178 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-from-spindle.jpg\" alt=\"socket wrench removing crank from spindle\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-from-spindle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-from-spindle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-from-spindle-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">The crank will likely be fitted tightly. Breaking it free will require a lot of elbow grease for one-half to maybe one full turn.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4179 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-square-taper-spindle.jpg\" alt=\"crank almost removed from square taper spindle\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-square-taper-spindle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-square-taper-spindle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-square-taper-spindle-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Once it breaks free, then it will come off easily and quickly<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You will probably only have to move the crank a few milimeters. Then it will come loose and slide right off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">In this shot the crank is almost right at the end of the spindle<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong>Make sure you are watching carefully. The crank can come free so quickly it may fall to the floor<\/strong>. The drive side, being heavier, is more likely to get away from you in this manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Once you have removed the crank simply remove the crank puller.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The non-drive side is removed in the same fashion<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Now, the procedure will be hugely more complicated if the crank has rusted onto, or fused in some way with the spindle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Not using grease in the initial installation makes it more likely to happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Applying grease<\/strong><\/span> to either the spindle taper, the crank aperture surfaces or both is a <a href=\"https:\/\/singletrackworld.com\/forum\/topic\/to-grease-or-not-to-grease-a-square-taper-bottom-bracket-axle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">controversial topic<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">However, as with all components a key reason for applying grease is to make the job of removal easier\u2014or simply just possible\u2014later, often many, many years later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Check out the article to survey the various opinions on the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 32px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; color: #000000;\">How to Install a Square Taper Crankset?<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Installing the crank on either side is straightforward.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Practically speaking, this means that the procedure is not the reverse of crank removal<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; color: #000000;\">How do You Fit a Square Taper Crankset?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">You can start with either side.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">I normally begin with the drive side. That\u2019s a habit born of installing many more integrated cranks than square taper over the last decade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">An integrated crank\u2019s spindle forms one piece with the crank. You install this first then finish it off by attaching and tightening the non-drive side arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With a square taper crank, you simply need to slot the square aperture in each to the spindle<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The important thing here is to get each square ie. 180 degrees<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">With a crank such as Hollowtech, for example, you can\u2019t go wrong because the non-drive side arm will only fit on the spindle at 90\u00b0 to the drive-side crank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Not so for square taper. You can have them at 90\u00b0 to each other or even 0\u00b0, facing the same way!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A friend once had his bike serviced before a big community ride which included crank removal and bottom bracket servicing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">He arrived at the event absolutely pumped and ready to go only to discover his cranks had not been re-assembled on the same plane but at 90\u00b0. No ride for him that day . . . (I never asked him how he never noticed this when he picked up the bike . . .)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Grease the Spindle?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">I mentioned this earlier. Some do grease it. Many swear off it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">I won\u2019t buy into the debate here. I\u2019ll just say that if you do apply grease, do so sparingly. Just like lube on the chain actually. You don\u2019t need heaps.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4174 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-spindle.jpg\" alt=\"greasing square taper spindle\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-spindle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-spindle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-spindle-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A smear on each of the tapered spindle\u2019s four faces is quite enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The idea is to slot the crank onto the spindle firmly enough so you don\u2019t have to hold it to prevent it dropping to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">That\u2019s not likely to happen. But just watch anyway. You don\u2019t want even a slightly bent chainring tooth\u2014there goes your new crank . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4173 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-crank-bolts.jpg\" alt=\"greasing crank bolts\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-crank-bolts.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-crank-bolts-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-square-taper-crank-bolts-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Make sure the crank bolts are greased. Grease will give a more accurate torque reading and ensure you can remove them when the time comes. And it will.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Put the bolt in place and tighten a little.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4175 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/how-tighten-crank-bolt.jpg\" alt=\"hand holding crank\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/how-tighten-crank-bolt.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/how-tighten-crank-bolt-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/how-tighten-crank-bolt-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You will not be able to get it really tight because you need to grip the opposite crank when tightening to (torque) tolerance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Do the same thing with the opposite crank being very careful to make sure that there&#8217;s a one hundred and eighty degree angle between both cranks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;\">What\u2019s the Recommended Torque?<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4172 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-torque-wrench-setting.jpg\" alt=\"torque wrench measurement gauge\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-torque-wrench-setting.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-torque-wrench-setting-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-torque-wrench-setting-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Apply a minimum of 35 nM (Newton Meters). Maxmimum 45 nM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Even with a long-handled torque wrench, achieving 45 nM will be challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4186 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-crank-bolt-torque-wrench.jpg\" alt=\"Tighten Crank Bolt Torque Wrench\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-crank-bolt-torque-wrench.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-crank-bolt-torque-wrench-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-crank-bolt-torque-wrench-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">If you don\u2019t have a torque wrench but are using a seat post as a wrench extension, the limit will be around 40 nM. The effort to get there will be intense, so you\u2019ll know when to stop. (Won\u2019t have a choice).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Install each crank on its spindle. Then you&#8217;ll have an anchor point for the torque wrench as you ramp up the force.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4176 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/octalink-spindle.jpg\" alt=\"octalink spindle \" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/octalink-spindle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/octalink-spindle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/octalink-spindle-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The procedure for installing a Shimano Octalink crank, is exactly the same. You just have to make sure the crank sits snugly in the splines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Also ensure the the non-drive side crank is on the same one hundred and eighty degree plane as the drive side.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4184 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-claris-crank-dust-cap.jpg\" alt=\"shimano claris dustcaps\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-claris-crank-dust-cap.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-claris-crank-dust-cap-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-claris-crank-dust-cap-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The model here is Shimano\u2019s Claris groupset which has dustcaps covering the bolts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">These caps are resistant to sitting snugly in position when new. It will take a few goes to get it right. Once they loosen up it will be easier to seat them. They will slot right into place on an older crank<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Make sure the dust cap is in exactly the position you want it to be before you press it in.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If the cap is not in the right place you won&#8217;t be able to turn it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You\u2019ll have to remove it again. Then repeat the procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4180 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-shimano-claris-dust-cap.jpg\" alt=\"removing shimano claris dustcap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-shimano-claris-dust-cap.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-shimano-claris-dust-cap-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-shimano-claris-dust-cap-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">To remove simply lever the cap off with a narrow, sharp ended tool. Slip the tool under the slight gap at the top.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4166 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-dust-cap-removed.jpg\" alt=\"removing shimano claris dustcap completely\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-dust-cap-removed.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-dust-cap-removed-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/crank-bolt-dust-cap-removed-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Lift the cap slightly. Then slip the tool further under. This will allow you to lever the cap completely off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Take extra care at the start\u2014you don\u2019t want to scratch the crank\u2019s clear-coated surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\">Final Comments<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You can remove a square taper crankset yourself. It\u2019s not a difficult procdeure although having done it once, the second time around will feel much more familar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">The only tricky bits are making sure the crank puller is screwed into the cranks as deep as it will go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">If the crank puller is not far enough in, it can tear out the crank threads . . . and then you\u2019ll have to use a brute force method to remove the crank. There\u2019ll be no getting a crank puller back in there again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">A torque wrench is really a tool you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">You can fix your cranks tightly enough to get to your local bike shop to get them to confirm enough torque on the bolts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">So, are you going to give it go?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Have you already done so? What was your experience?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Everyone has a slightly different take on every maintenance procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;\">Any tips to share with the readers . . . ?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<span hidden class=\"__iawmlf-post-loop-links\" data-iawmlf-links=\"[{&quot;id&quot;:267,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.bikeman.com\\\/bicycle-repair-tech-info\\\/bikeman-tech-info\\\/1628-chainring-bcd&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250815100431\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.bikeman.com\\\/bicycle-repair-tech-info\\\/bikeman-tech-info\\\/1628-chainring-bcd&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-03 15:45:15&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:206},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-06 18:18:30&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:206},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-09 18:27:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:206}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-09T18:27:53+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:206},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:268,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.active.com\\\/cycling\\\/articles\\\/crank-length-does-size-matter&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250824041938\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.active.com\\\/cycling\\\/articles\\\/crank-length-does-size-matter&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-01 10:48:43&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-04 12:31:57&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-07 15:31:03&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-07T15:31:03+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:269,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.firstcomponents.com\\\/square-taper-bottom-bracket&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:270,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/forums.mtbr.com\\\/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks\\\/why-does-octalink-suck-so-bad-257736.html&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.mtbr.com\\\/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks\\\/why-does-octalink-suck-so-bad-257736.html&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:271,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/singletrackworld.com\\\/forum\\\/topic\\\/to-grease-or-not-to-grease-a-square-taper-bottom-bracket-axle&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20200924045229\\\/https:\\\/\\\/singletrackworld.com\\\/forum\\\/topic\\\/to-grease-or-not-to-grease-a-square-taper-bottom-bracket-axle\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-02 20:36:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-05 23:58:46&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-09 13:12:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-09T13:12:11+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;}]\"><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This guide provides everything you need to know about a square taper crankset including But, first of all, what is a crank? And why can&#8217;t we say &#8220;crank arm&#8220;? Crank vs Crankset Let\u2019s first of all deal with the issue of crank vs crankset. A \u201ccrank\u201d is part of a shaft that translates energy directly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crankset"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4154\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}