How to Disassemble Tiagra Cranks

Tiagra is one of Shimano Cycling's groups of road-oriented bicycle components (reference 1). The group includes a crank set, which is comprised of multiple chainwheels and a pair of arms called "cranks" (reference 2). There is a crank on each side of the bicycle, and the cranks are joined by a spindle attached to the right side crank. Learn to remove your Tiagra cranks in order to service them or their parts more effectively.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-mm Allen wrench
  • Shimano TL-FC16 tool
  • Rubber shop mallet (as needed)
  • Rag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place yourself before the left-side crank. The left-side crank is located on the non driver-side of the bicycle.

    • 2

      Note the point where the crank attaches to the crank spindle. Just past this point, at the very end of the crank, there is a pinch bolt (reference 3 pdf pg. 1).

    • 3

      Use a 5-mm Allen wrench and turn this pinch bolt counterclockwise to loosen. Loosen the bolt only.

    • 4

      Observe the point once again where the Tiagra crank attaches to the crank spindle. There is a cap located here.

    • 5

      Fit the Shimano TL-FC16 tool into the center of this cap. Turn the tool counterclockwise to loosen the cap (reference 3 pdf pg. 1). Remove the cap.

    • 6

      Grab the left-side Tiagra crank and pull it away from the bicycle to separate it from the spindle. If this crank proves too stubborn, tap the inside of the crank with a rubber shop mallet to dislodge it (reference 4 one-third of the way down under "disassembly").

    • 7

      Place yourself on the other side of the bicycle and in front of the right-side crank. With the left-side crank and cap removed there is nothing holding the right-side crank in place.

    • 8

      Grab the right side Tiagra crank and slide it away from the bicycle.