Bike details:
- Singlespeed (steel)
- Square taper threaded BB
- 58/19 ratio (hence huge chainring rubbing the frame)
- 130mm bcd 5-bolt crank/chainring
- Mileage on cranks: several thousand km in all weather (tropical climate)
- Riding purpose: commuting, ~125km per week, with sporadic longer rides.
Background info:
I have this ridiculous tooth count due to component availability at the time of setup. Initially, there was a clear gap (around 1-2mm?) between the chainring teeth and the frame. All was good.
Almost two years and thousands of kilometres later, the cranks started to get loose (creaky on downstroke). After having to tighten the bolts twice over 2 weeks, I removed the cranks, cleaned and lightly greased the spindle (yes, I know, this is a point of contention too) and crank holes, and re-installed them (I do not have a torque wrench... let's just say they're tight enough but not too tight).
Now the chainring rubs at certain crank positions. Visual inspection of the crank arms shows no cracks/damage.
Possible solutions I came up with:
- Get a BB with a longer spindle (cheapest; sounds the most short-term; fit may be affected; chainline may be affected; crank arm wear and tear may bite me later).
- Change the crank arms (so far, impossible to find online. I tried CRC, Wiggle, bike24. The others have very expensive shipping to my place. Haven't asked LBS yet.).
- Change the chainring and cog (expensive since I'm running a White Ind ENO freewheel; crank arm wear and tear may bite me later).
- Change the chainset/crankset and cog (bloody expensive, and I haven't been able to find a singlespeed square taper 52t (for 52/17) chainset online, meaning the arms and ring will have to be bought $eparately. Haven't asked LBS yet.)
Suggestions? Any input is welcome.