I bought a second hand BMX off here a while ago and I'm actually getting more into it than I thought as I don't have time to MTB at the moment. Been out on it 5 or 6 times and managed to get a reasonable hop and do some little jumps and drops.
So obviously, I need to upgrade it.
First up, the BB is creaking a bit. I have no idea what type it is, or what kind of cranks I have (I think 3 piece?). So question one - how do I get these cranks off?
The answer to this will probably lead to further BB questions.
Second question: pegs. I wasn't fussed about grinding initially, but there's a park near me with some lovely ledges (and another I want to try with a decent bowl) so it seems rude not to have a try.
So which side to grind on? Most riders seem to run pegs on one side, is it related to which foot you ride forward? So right foot forward = pegs on right? This seems logical but I can't figure out which side I'd be most comfortable grinding on.
Getting the cranks off, just undo the bolts and pull. Give the axle some persuasion with a rubber mallet if necessary once you've removed the arms. It'll probably be a mid bb (bit like a push fit), like this: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/blank-mid-bottom-bracket-kit/? . It is a 3-pc, that means the two crank arms and the spindle are all separate bits.
If you ride right foot forward, I'm guessing you feel more comfortable turning to the left when jumping, etc? In which case pegs on the right. Think about how you would do it on a quarter pipe.
With most BMX 3 or 2 piece cranks you can loosen the bolts out around halfway and then hit the bolt a few times with a mallet and the arm should come off, letting you pull the other arm and axle out. Then for the creaking just apply lots of lube to where the arms meet the axle.
For pegs you're correct, typically right foot forward is right side pegs and vice versa, if your unsure why not take a socket set down to the park with you and give each side a try? or go for 4 pegs and learn both sides!
I'm pleased to hear you're still enjoying the BMX, sorry to hear about the bottom bracket though.
I think it is a mid bottom bracket, I've never taken the cranks off though.
I ride left foot forward and used to find it easier to hop up to the left, so pegs on the right makes sense if you ride right foot forward.
When you put it back together you need to do the bolts up in the order or the pinch bolt will keep coming undone.think you do the pinch up first although I may be wrong.
Crank bolts first, pinch bolts last. If you do the pinch bolts first you can't tighten/tension the crank bolt properly.
No need to apologise @drewd, things wear out, it's a fact of life innit. It might just need regreasing, it's not a massive creak or anything.
@finbar and @oikeith gentle persuasion with a mallet is my forte, should be grand. Just didn't want to start whacking it if I should be using a puller.
Re pegs I probably will just try both (or all 4) - kinda figure if I can learn both sides early it'll probably open up more options, as some ledges only really work one way.
*edit* same as an MTB with the bolt sequence then, makes sense.
Stripped, cleaned and regreased and everything seems quiet.
Weirdly the spindle seems too short, if it's pulled tight to the driveside crank the non-driveside is only about halfway on. Everything seems solid with it pulled evenly on both sides, but it's a bit odd. Is it supposed to be like that? Not running any spacers, just the covers and if the cranks were any further in they'd be too close to the stays.
Pulled evenly both sides and all bolts nicely tight is how it should be. If the end of the axle is outside the pinch bolts then it's fine
Get to your local shop. Give them cakes. Learn something.
Give them money.
Ride away feeling blessed and enlightened.
@paule nice one, cheers.
@donkeysled being as my current LBS are not letting people in the shop and are selling from a table just in the door I'm not sure how feasible that is. So I'm learning by asking questions and doing it myself.