Self-extracting crank bolts

[srw]

Shimano, with a splined bottom bracket.

How tight do I do up the bolts? I've got a fearsomely big 8mm allen key and don't want to overdo it.
Grease or threadlock?

I should say that the bolts need to be extractable relatively easily because the cranks need to come off to put the bike away.

 

[compo]

Cranks off to put the bike away?? If you have to do this regularly I wouldn't use threadlock. If you can, get hold of a torque wrench and use that as you don't seem too happy about how much force is tight enough.

 

[srw]

I mean put the bike away in a travelling case - it's a tandem with S&S couplings. It's clear the previous owner used threadlock, but I'd like to check whether that's sensible. A torque wrench for four bolts seems overkill!

 

[mickle]

Yoiks. Can't you just take the peds off?

 

[srw]

Yoiks. Can't you just take the peds off?

http://santanatandem.com/Library/StowawayAssembly.pdf

Sadly, no! It's not something I'd plan to do very often, but it will be necessary to join dellzeqq's LonJoG, and will also make (long-distance) train travel feasible. And it forces me to learn rudimentary bike maintenance, which is probably a good thing.

 

[simon.r]

Personally - fairly tight* (reasoning being that Shimano would use a smaller bolt if they didn't expect you to do them up tight) and copper-slip on the bolt threads. I've never had one fall off and have always been able to get them off when needed.

*Almost as much force as I can apply by hand using a normal length allen key.