Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Drive pin hole slightly large
#1
I have an american bottom bracket and a one piece crank. The drive pin and drive pin hole are not exactly the right size for each other so the crank has a little bit of play to it. Normally this isn't a big deal but this is on a fixed gear. When switching from pedaling forward to resisting motion you can feel the pedal slip just the slightest bit as the drive pin moves about 1 or 2 mm. Any ideas on how to stop this? Would a spot weld be good or should I come up with something a little less drastic?
  Reply
#2
Not sure a spot weld would work, as your cranks are likely steel and the chainring is probably aluminum. Sounds like that chainring may be meant for 3-pc cranks? I'd recommend finding a BMX style chainring that fits snug.
  Reply
#3
No other ideas? I ordered the parts together from a bike shop so I figured they would give me properly fitting parts. Hmm.
  Reply
#4
I would send a note to the bike shop explaining the problem and see if they have any suggestions.
  Reply
#5
I think this is actually not that uncommon. One piece cranks aren't typically used on fixed gears so the pin would normally only get pushed one direction.

I think you'd be able to force some metal into the gap to take out the play. Ideally you bend something over the end of the pin so when you tighten the chainring down it just fills the gap. Note that you need to be carefull not to put something too thick so that it forces the chainring out and bends it. Needs to be just the right size. Of course, check with the seller first to see if it was a defect or just a crank with low tolerances.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Catastrophic bicycle failures
Yesterday 11:42 PM
Impromptu bikepacking/touring dilemma..
Yesterday 08:38 PM
I don't usually wear a bike helmet. Does...
Yesterday 08:34 PM
Bmx with 26 inch wheels
Yesterday 05:50 PM
Gila Monster Gran Fondo
Yesterday 05:41 PM
Hatch Chiles Rule!
Yesterday 05:10 PM
Steel road bikes with disc brake mountts
Yesterday 01:11 PM
How Bad Are E-bikes By You?
Yesterday 07:42 AM
Spoke Count Preference
09-30-2026 12:29 PM
Are 26" really dying out?
09-30-2026 12:23 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
21 posts
no avatar 2. Sidewinder
21 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
18 posts
no avatar 4. SPINMAN
12 posts
no avatar 5. Jesper
11 posts