Ascend Cruiser Manuel Du Propriétaire page 44

4 Adjustments
ADJUST THE BOTTOM BRACKET
Typically the bottom bracket contains four major pieces:
lockring, adjustable cone, bearings, and washers. The lockring
has notches. The adjustable cone will have notches for a
spanner wrench or bottom bracket tool. The cones can be
removed and replaced separately. A set of round ball bearings
are found in each adjustable cone. A typical ball bearing is 5/16"
in diameter and contains nine balls. This type of bottom bracket
may be cleaned, greased and adjusted.
Bearing Adjustment
The basic concept for bearing adjustments is to get the bearings
adjusted as loose as possible but without play. Start by
purposely beginning with play in the adjustment and then
tightening in small increments until play is gone. Note: Extended
use may cause the bearings, cups (or cones) to become worn
and pitted. In this case, bearing adjustment will not be possible.
If bottom bracket is correctly adjusted, but grinds when spun,
cups and/or cones are worn and should be replaced. Figure 4.25
❶ Loosen the locknut. Turn adjusting cone counter-clockwise
until it hits the ball bearing, then turn back clockwise to
loosen 1/4 turn.
❷ Secure the locknut.
❸ Grab the end of the crank arms and rock it sideways to
check for play. If play is present, loosen locknut and turn
adjusting cone counter-clockwise slightly to tighten.
Re-secure locknut and check again.
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❹ Repeat process of checking for play and re-tightening cone
a slight amount until no play is felt. Note: The one-piece
crank systems do not use a polished bearing system.
There will be some roughness to a correctly adjusted
bottom bracket. Adjust as loose as possible but without play
in the crank assembly.
Bottom bracket shown
with crank arm
removed
Ball bearings
Crank arm
Locknut
Lockring
Adjustable cones
Crank arm
Washers
Chainwheel
Figure 4.25