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Thoughts on my diagnosis? This is on a 2019 Giant TCR.
I guess most people are aware of the Shimano Global Crankset recall- more info below but for anyone not aware, certain model cranksets from 2012-2019 have been delaminating and then falling apart.
There's an instagram account somewhere with a ton of examples ( https://www.instagram.com/thanksshimano/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8180269b-bc39-4d61-b3a0-8df71985ebb5)
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/shimano-global-crankset-recall/#disqus_thread
Anyway, I've spent the last few weeks in and out of the LBS chasing a mystery creak that we simply could not solve (there's actually another thread about this somewhere). Changed BB, greased everything you could possibly grease and still it persisted. The creak is from BB area and only when under load, every pedal revolution, it sounded to me like the drive side crank though the LBS thought it was both.
I checked my crankset model number this morning and sure enough it falls under scope of the recall. I've also had a look at the drive-side chainset and reckon I can actually see where it's started to delaminate where the two pieces are bonded...I've included a photo of what looks to me like a good bond and the suspect one. Does it look dodgy or just a normal defect? In light of the recall and my mystery creak I guess it has to be assumed defect, right?
Is that gap not just where the outer chainring butts up against the chainset?
Have you checked the chainring bolts? Removed, regreased and retorqued them?
Yeah bolts have been checked at the shop. I think the first pic is a normal/good join but the second one is where its starting to come apart? I'd expect to see a seam but not a gap if that makes sense?
I think there's 4 joins and 3 of them are flush as per the first pic but one has a gap. If it wasn't for the product recall I'd have assumed its a tiny manufacturing defect but in light of the recall and the knowledge that my cranks fall under the affected products it seems more likely to be an issue?
I wouldn’t ride that another mile. I’ve had two 6800 cranks fail on me and will be taking the one I have left in the garage in to get checked/replaced next week.
The first one felt as if the crank was very bent and when I inspected it there were quite significant gaps and signs of the bonding having failed - I was really annoyed and angrily threw it in the bin. The second one started creaking a while later and when I checked there was a small gap just like the picture above (maybe slightly wider)- this is the one I’m hoping to get replaced…
I replaced both with later model R8000 cranksets (both luckily with serial numbers outside the failure window) and they have been fine, although I will be keeping a very close eye on them as I am a bit of a sprinter and give those cranks a bit of a hard time.
Yeah bolts have been checked at the shop. I think the first pic is a normal/good join but the second one is where its starting to come apart? I’d expect to see a seam but not a gap if that makes sense?
I think there’s 4 joins and 3 of them are flush as per the first pic but one has a gap. If it wasn’t for the product recall I’d have assumed its a tiny manufacturing defect but in light of the recall and the knowledge that my cranks fall under the affected products it seems more likely to be an issue?
Ah I see. Yeah on closer inspection the second picture you posted shows a noticably larger gap. I've not seen one fail first hand, but I'd try and get yours looked at if I were you.
I've an Ultegra 6800 chainset on one of my bikes. I should probably check it over.
There’s an instagram account somewhere with a ton of examples ( https://www.instagram.com/thanksshimano/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8180269b-bc39-4d61-b3a0-8df71985ebb5)
that's incredible -- the number of cranksets that have delaminated!!
I dunno how to add mine to that insta, but I've had 2 LH arms go.
Shimano don't seem to be responding to those asking how they are going to compensate people who have already ditched and replaced ****ed cranksets
My R8000s died a year or so ago. Got no interest in support from Madison and they were out of warranty so binned them a little while ago and moved on. Regretting it now that Shimano seem to have accepted the massive flaw in the cranks. Wonder if they’ll ever recall the endless leaking brake callipers.
https://youtube.com/shorts/1SabWPxhqZg?si=iY-VCs41_al1c33u
Really interesting to see/hear that the onus is being placed on Shimano by at least a few mechanics. I feel they're right to do this; it's a huge call to say it's OK to use given the numbers of cranks with issues.
Read about the recall in America last week and decided to remove my Ultegra 6800 cranks and check them over as they are in the faulty batch code
I removed the driveside and gave them a wipe over and a quick look and nothing stood out so i refitted them (bike hasnt been used for a couple of months)
This morning i decided to double check and fully stripped the crank down removing the chainrings and cleaning the driveside properly removing any grime with a good brush and low and behold this is what i found
Clearly they are starting to debond and the crack around the chainring mounting hole which was hidden by the chainrings when i did my first quick inspection
So even if you think your cranks look ok its well worth fully stripping them down, cleaning and checking them over!
Will now find my nearest Shimano dealer and take them to be inspected and replaced with a crank that wont match the rest of my 6800 groupset (shudders!)
My second hand Cannondale came with an ultegra group set, but Cannondale cranks- which I was mildly annoyed with.
The Cannondale cranks look more desirable now.
Hope you all get a warranty support for yours!
@duggan I'd take those off and replace them while they were off for inspection. The cost of one crown will buy a life times supply of cranks for me, no one wants a face/ tarmac incident. Why risk it?
If they come back as been assessed as fine, then fine.
Cheers all. Yep, I think the plan now is to just buy a new chainset and then ride that (keeping a close eye on it I guess) until Shimano (presumably) replace the shonky current chainset.
Spent about £100 chasing the mystery creak which now (fairly sure) is the Shimano crank issue.
It doesn't exactly inspire confidence 😐
Will now find my nearest Shimano dealer and take them to be inspected and replaced with a crank that wont match the rest of my 6800 groupset (shudders!)
Isn't the recall only in the US currently? Not sure Madison is doing anything until they get the go ahead from Shimano yet
Edit: seems they are
Hope you've got something to replace them with while you wait for a replacement. Madison don't exactly have the greatest rep for speedy resolutions when it comes to warranty when there's only the normal amount if components being sent back for review. I expect they are about to be overwhelmed
Yeah I think in the US its a recall and replacement but in the EU the onus is on the mechanic in a shimano authorised bike shop to inspect the cranks and determine if they're safe or not...if not, then they're sent to Shimano for inspection and replacement. Not sure what the criteria is for inspection.
Ive got a Sram Force equipped bike (winter bike) and a Campag Super record equipped bike (good weather bike) so ill be ok
The Shimano equipped bike (now minus its crank) can stay hanging up, good excuse to strip the bike down and give it a good clean and inspection whilst its out of action
The above video says some shops are not willing to say if the crank is fine or not, they dont want that responsibility so im guessing they will ship them back to Madison regardless for them to inspect instead