I think in my discovery of GT85 I may have inadvertently degreased the crank bit (is that the crank set or bottom bracket? I'm lost when it comes to the jargon), I know it could be a hundred different parts on the bike that make a creaky tick tock sound but this only started after I started to use degreaser spray, and having recently taken my hybrid into a bike shop to fix a very similar noise they showed me the old crank bit and it was ropey as anything, that too only started after I'd used GT85 spray on it. Need to start applying it to a cloth rather than directly to the gears, live and learn.
So, I want to check out the crank bit, is there anything I should know before I begin? Any good guides on crank refurbing for an old classic like this?
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=80138
Dawes Galaxy 531ST crank help
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jonathanuk
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 28 Sep 2013, 6:05pm
- Location: North Yorkshire
Re: Dawes Galaxy 531ST crank help
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Last edited by gaz on 20 Mar 2025, 1:17pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Dawes Galaxy 531ST crank help
GT85 is mostly solvent and about 10-15% oil. It is not a 'degreaser' per se. However the oil that is left behind doesn't resist road salt at all well.
So don't go cleaning stuff with it and thinking that it is truly clean and degreased; it won't be.
Gaz's list is pretty good; he only comment I would make is that often the creak comes from somewhere else, typically the saddle or the handlebars. Rarely, something is actually in the process of breaking, so look out for that, too.
When dealing with the chainring bolts, it is a good idea to run the two halves of each bolt into one another as far as they will go a couple of times; this way if there is any dirt in the threads (which might well stop you from fully tightening them in situ) then you will find out ahead of time. A chainring bolt that won't fully tighten will often cause a creak.
Creaks can drive you nuts before you find them.
Actually my personal affliction is that I must find out what caused the creak; merely taking everything apart and putting it back together again does not satiate this desire, even if the creak disappears. If you are of similar mind I would suggest doing things one at a time.
My hunch is that it is the chainring bolts in this case (sweepstake, anyone...?
).... (or maybe the pedals) but I guess you'll find out in the fullness of time....
cheers
So don't go cleaning stuff with it and thinking that it is truly clean and degreased; it won't be.
Gaz's list is pretty good; he only comment I would make is that often the creak comes from somewhere else, typically the saddle or the handlebars. Rarely, something is actually in the process of breaking, so look out for that, too.
When dealing with the chainring bolts, it is a good idea to run the two halves of each bolt into one another as far as they will go a couple of times; this way if there is any dirt in the threads (which might well stop you from fully tightening them in situ) then you will find out ahead of time. A chainring bolt that won't fully tighten will often cause a creak.
Creaks can drive you nuts before you find them.
Actually my personal affliction is that I must find out what caused the creak; merely taking everything apart and putting it back together again does not satiate this desire, even if the creak disappears. If you are of similar mind I would suggest doing things one at a time.
My hunch is that it is the chainring bolts in this case (sweepstake, anyone...?
).... (or maybe the pedals) but I guess you'll find out in the fullness of time....cheers
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