Installing Quarq PowerMeter
Hello All,
I am just getting a Quarq Power-Meter, how hard is it to install them? Any challenges that i could face?
0
Hello All,
I am just getting a Quarq Power-Meter, how hard is it to install them? Any challenges that i could face?
Comments
Which Quarq did you get and what crank do you currently have and on what kind of bike?
As John said, it's easy.
The exact tools you need depend on your crank and whether or not you will need to install a new BB (bottom bracket). For my Quarq S975, installing the crank is easy as a single 8mm hex bolt.
To install a new BB, you need a BB wrench, I recommend the BBT-9 because it's compatible with nearly everything* modern and has a dust cover remover on the opposite side, which you'll need for cranks that have dust covers like most Shimano's. *Will disclose however that I've never touched a BB-30 before so I have no idea what tools it requires if you go that route.-
Trevor - Interesting that you refer to the preload cap as a dust cover. I believe it does more than just prevent dust from entering the crank.
Also, there's a video in the forums somewhere showing Matt Ancona swapping a Quarq between bikes, it should provide some insight.
1. Remove old crank
2. Bottom Bracket - Hopefully the quarq matches your current BB and you can skip this step. If not, this is where it can be complicated. IF you have the right tools and IF you know exactly what you need this is easy. If you need to change BB, let us know exactly what bike you have, current BB, and which quarq you bought. Time: 0 minutes to 20 minutes depending on what you have to do.
3. Install magnet - this should be very straight forward unless you have clearance issues. Time <5 minutes <br />
4. Install crank - Assuming you got a SRAM based quarq, as others have said the actual installation of the crank is very easy for all of them. GXP is 1 8mm bolt on the non drive side, tighten it until there is zero play at all in crank. BB30 is 1 10mm bolt on the drive side (for most versions) and there is a adjustable spacer on the nds to take out any play. Time: < 5 minutes
5. Install Pedals
5. Pair with computer, "calibrate", go ride
Video Here: http://www.viddler.com/v/9423ce5d
I believe you guys are talking about different things.
Sram BB30, PF30 and GXP bearings all have dust caps that can pop out when you take the crank in and out. They are litterally dust caps to protect the bearings and just look like 2mm thick rubber washers.
The tool mentioned has a bit for taking out the preload bolt thing on Shimano style cranks. This is a threaded cap/bolt. This is used to remove play in the crank and preload the bears before tightening the two bolts on the crank arms. This part of the tool is not needed for SRAM cranks.
BTW, if you want to install a BB30 or Pressfit anything you should use a different tool to press the bearings in.
My bike is an Orbea Ordu with full SRAM Red. So since i am going from one SrAM product to another SRAM product, i dont think this is going to be a challenge...
You still need to know what type bottom bracket your bike has and what type of bottom bracket will work with the crank you are getting.
@Jonathan
Just because they are both SRAM doesn't automatically mean they will use the same BB, there are BB30 versions of SRAM cranks versus the 'normal' SRAM/Truvativ BB. But, the non-BB30 one is more common so hopefully that is what you have... assuming your current Red crank isn't BB30 either.
@Cary
You are right, the 'dust cover' I was referring to on Shimano cranks really is a preload cap. That is what it is, so that is what I should call it, but I think that somewhat overstates it's importance. It is definitely threaded and provides some function, and while there are metal versions of it, Ultegra and below usually come with a pretty uninspiring plastic preload cap. Let's just say that in terms of keeping the crank arm on, the little plastic cap isn't doing the heavy lifting as much as it's keeping debris out of the crank spindle.
Take a picture of the bb on our current bike from the non-drive side. Then take a picture of the new quarq you got where we can see the spindle. Post both to this thread.
Most of the ordus are standard english threaded BBs which would mean your sram red on the ordu was the GXP version. If you go a GXP quarq from your friend, than you are all set. 5-10 minutes to install with no bb change or adapter needed.
I believe the new 2013 ordu has a pressfit BB (not sure if it is 86, 90, or 30) off hand. Eitherway, you might need a $25 adapter, or you might not need anything at all depends on what cranks.
Just installed one 3 weeks ago on my Cervelo P2. BB is GXP in my case. Since the old BB had 5,500 miles on it I took the time to replace it (went with Dura Ace FWIW). New crank/Quarq was based on a Rotor crank but since it was made to the Shimano standard, then install was as easy as has been mentioned here. Just take your time if you are not familiar with turning wrenches.
Loving my Quarq/Rotor. You will like yours.
Ok, So here is the issue
Here is the new Crank/BB
OK, here is the old Crank and BB
So, i am pretty sure i am screwed since i have a GXP (my frame is threaded) and my new Power meter is a PF 30. Am i correct on this?
yeah, that combo is not going to work together well without modification.
It is possible to make it work though. You would need a special BB that rotor makes that allows you to put a 30mm spindle (i.e. BB30) crank into a traditional threaded frame. Here is the BB: http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/products/bsa_bottom_bracket.html
The catch is that the traditional BB is wider due to the outboard bearings, so the bb30 crank will not fit as it. The good news is on the sram bb30 cinqo, there are about 11mm of spacers on both sides, if you remove all of them it gives you the extra clearance you need. But then you need a bunch of 0.5 or 1mm spacers to get the chainline right and take the play out. Sorry but I don't know exactly how many you would need.
If that all makes sense and you are mechically inclined, it is not that big of a deal. Otherwise, I have two suggestions:
1. Sell that quarq and buy a sram gxp one that will fit right in
2. Look for a SRAM GXP S900, S950, or S975 crank. The spider and quarq are exactly the same for bbeo and gxp, so you can easily swap the quarq over to the gxp crank by removing 3 t30 screws. I have done this twice and it is very easy. I picked up the GXP S900 cranks for less than $150 on ebay.
Thank you all so much for your help.