Do as I say, not as I do.....

Thought I'd post this up for any neewbs or those starting their own maintenance. A few weeks ago I decided to strip the bike down and give it full service, remove linkages, check bearings, clean bottom bracket, grease pedal ports, etc etc.

Anyway, has some problems getting my pedals off my XTR cranks, so in my infinite wisdom combined with a tremendous lack of foresight, I place the shaft in a vice (wrapped in a towel) to get some more leverage. For some reason it was the only part I could place in the vice to get to the pedal axle (was the drive side arm I was dealing with)

So, as I tightened I heard a little crack and wincing I removed the crank to find said little crank on the main axle shaft. Appeared to be superficial so I let it alone and eventually put the mike back together.

Come the following weekend I decided to head up to the Oaks on my own. Got up early, drove there, got the train to Woodford, got off the train and off the platform, put my first real weight on the pedals and crack - something felt very wrong and cranks would not turn. Couldn't investigate further but I was pretty certain of the issue. Anyway, waited, got the next train back to Glenbrook, got in the car and drove home. On inspection at home I'd suffered a catastrophic failure of the crank axle with a crack all the way along it.

That's one useless XTR crank formerly worth $800! Totally my own fault because I didn't have the patience to get the pedals off the right way. So, my recommendation to those of you just starting out on working on your bikes yourself, never put delicate parts in a vice to get leverage, it never works out. And when you do undertake your own work, test ride it first.

All these things I already knew but for some reason had a brain freeze.

Anyway, if anyone wants spare chainrings for an XTR crank or a spare non-drive side arm let me know. I've happy to pass them on for a few bucks if interested. The teeth are in good condition.