How To Remove Crank Arm From Exercise Bike – Your Step-by-Step Guide

Are you having trouble removing the crank arm from your exercise bike?

Do you feel like you’re going to break it if you try to pull any harder?

If so, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This can be a tricky process for many people, but with a little bit of guidance, you should be able to get the job done without any problems.

In this article, we quickly explain how an exercise bike works, what a crank is, and the step-by-step process of how to remove crank arm from exercise bike. We also provide a few tips that will help make the process go more smoothly. Let’s begin!

how to remove crank arm from exercise bike

How does an exercise bike work?

An exercise bike, or stationary bike, is a type of cardio equipment that allows you to pedal while sitting in a stationary position. This type of equipment is popular because it’s low-impact and easy on your joints, making it a great option for people with joint pain.

It’s made of  two main parts: the frame and the flywheel. The frame is the metal or plastic skeleton that holds everything together, while the flywheel is the large disc located in the center of the bike.

It works  by using a flywheel to create resistance. As you pedal, the flywheel spins, which creates drag and makes it harder to pedal. This causes your muscles to work harder and helps you burn more calories. 

The mechanism behind an exercise bike

The mechanism that makes an exercise bike work is the crank. The crank is a metal rod that extends from the pedals on the bike to the flywheel. When you pedal, the crank rotates and causes the flywheel to rotate as well. This provides resistance and helps you to power through your workout. 

If something happens to your crank,  it can be difficult to pedal the bike and you may not be able to get the full range of motion from your legs. In the next parts, we will show you how to remove the crank from your exercise bike and why you need to remove it.

Why remove the crank?

In some cases, you may need to remove the crank from your exercise bike. This could be because the crank has broken or become loose. If this is the case, you will need to remove it and take it to a bike mechanic for repair.

A video about why you need to remove the crank
Image Source: Youtube

There are various reasons  why you might need to remove the crank from your exercise bike. These reasons can include:

The crank has become loose and needs to be tightened

When the crank  becomes loose you’ll know as it basically looks like it’s unravelling itself from the bottom bracket.

It can cause the bike to wobble and be unstable. This can make it difficult to pedal and can also lead to injuries. If the crank is only slightly loose, you may be able to tighten it yourself. However, if it is significantly loose, you will need to take the bike to a mechanic.

The crank has broken and needs to be replaced

Signs that a crank is broken:

When a crank breaks, it will disconnect from the bottom bracket. This usually happens when you pedal — and while your pedals keep spinning around on the chainring, the crank is no longer connected to your bike. While there are other signs, this is the most common. 

What to do:

It is unavoidable that the crank  will eventually break. When this happens, you will need to remove it and replace it with a new one. This can be done by a bike mechanic or you may be able to do it yourself.

The crank needs to be lubricated

Signs that a crank needs lubrication:

The most observable sign that you need lubrication is if the bike crank makes noises when pedaling, this is due to the lack of lubrication. 

Another common sign is visible scrapes on the chain. The chain is connected from the pedal to the wheel, so if your crank assembly needs lubricated, you will see visible scrapes on the chain, because of the lack of friction between the components.

You want to change the gears on your exercise bike

Changing gears on an exercise bike can be difficult if the crank is in the way. By removing the crank, you will have more space to work with and will be able to change gears easily.

Overall, removing the crank  from your exercise bike is a fairly simple process. However, it is important to know why you are doing it and what steps to take. If you are unsure of how to remove the crank or have any other questions, be sure to consult a bike mechanic.

Removing crank arm from exercise bike

Now that we have gone over the reasons why you might need to remove the crank  from your exercise bike, let’s take a look at the steps involved.

Step 1: Find the crank

On some bikes, especially upright models, you can find the crank located on the front of the machine. On recumbent bikes, you will generally find the crank located on the right side of the frame.  

It’s a large, typically black piece of metal that connects the pedals to the frame of your bike. The pedals are attached to either side of the crank, allowing for easy pedaling along with the simultaneous rotation of the crank.

Step 2: Loosen the bolts that hold the crank in place

There are usually four or five bolts around the perimeter of the crank. Use a wrench to loosen them and then remove the bolts completely.

Step 3: Remove the cap

If there is a cap on the end of the crank, use a socket wrench to remove it. Be careful not to damage the cap.

Step 4: Pull the crank straight off of the bike

It should come off easily if it is loose or broken. If it is tight, you may need to use some force to remove it.

Step 5: Put the new crank in place

Tighten the bolts using a wrench. Be sure to use  the same amount of torque as the old bolts. If there is a cap on the end of the crank, replace it and tighten it using a socket wrench.

Step 6: Test out your bike

Make sure that it is working properly. It should now pedal smoothly and without any problems.

The process of removing the crank is actually quite simple but it’s important  to be aware of why you’re doing it and what steps to take. If you follow these steps, you should be able to remove the crank from your exercise bike without any trouble. If you are unsure about how to remove crank arm from exercise bike or have any other questions, be sure to consult a bike mechanic.

Image Source: Pixabay

Final Thoughts

With this blog post, we’ve given you a step-by-step guide on how to remove crank arm from exercise bike. Hopefully, you’ll find it a lot easier to carry out this job now. It’s important that when removing the crank or any other part of an exercise bike that it be done correctly in order to avoid damaging the equipment and/or yourself. 

We hope our step-by-step instructions will help you out! 

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