The Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000 crank snapped off just as I stood to pedal up a small hill.
I’m starting to feel like the poster boy for failed Shimano crank arms.
It’s now happened to me twice. That’s twice that I was pedaling along happy as can be, only to suddenly find myself in a heap with the pedal and crank arm still attached to my shoe — but not the bike.
The first time it happened I was riding Ultegra cranks. This time it was Dura-Ace.
Click here for my post about the first incident.
The Incident
As I have done all summer, I headed out this evening for a ride on the greenway. I’ve been riding this loop whenever the weather and my schedule allow.
Less than five miles into the ride there is a small hill. I stood up for an extra bit of leverage and three pedal strokes later I was on the asphalt. I thought I had come unclipped from the pedal, but much to my surprise that was not the case.
I rolled over to find the pedal and fractured crank arm still attached to my shoe.
It had happened for the second time in three years!
Strange Creaking Noise
The drive train started emitting a strange creaking noise a few weeks ago. I had recently purchased a new pair of cycling shoes and the creaking started shortly thereafter. I had not bought new cleats as those from the old shoes still had a lot of wear on them.
It sounded like the noise was coming from the point where the cleat meets the pedal. I even unclipped on the right side and pedaled only with my left foot. The noise went away and I thought I had diagnosed the problem. A new pair of cleats would come when time permitted.
Further evidence that my diagnosis was correct came when I sprayed WD-40 on the pedal and the noise all but disappeared. If anyone has a theory — I’d like to hear it!
Only My Pride Was Hurt
Fortunately I wasn’t going very fast — less than 10 mph. My knee is a bit sore and there’s some road rash on my elbow. The cell phone spilled out of my pocket, but is none the worse for the wear. The back of my taillight fell off, but clicked back together just fine.
A runner came by shortly after the crash and asked if I was okay. Other than embarrassed, I was fine.
Why I thought it was my fault, as in why I was embarrassed – I don’t know.
Not a Powerful Rider
As wonderful as it would be to say that I was trashing cranks with my strength like the Yankees have ripped through the American League this summer, that’s not the case. Some of my Strava and Facebook friends have already suggested, tongue in cheek — that I have too much power.
Anyone who knows me, knows that’s not the case.
In fact, (as I wrote in the Summer of Sarcoidosis) thanks to the chemotherapy treatments I’ve been receiving for sarcoidosis, I doubt I’ve generated more than 150 watts on any ride in 2019.
Sooo it’s probably not my fabulous leg strength that ruptured this Dura-Ace FC-9000 crank arm.
Yes, It’s the Second Time
Two summers ago, I was powering up a longer hill and really going for it, when the same thing happened with my then relatively new Ultegra crank. Just like this time, I couldn’t imagine what had happened until I looked down to find the pedal and crank still attached to my shoe.
In that instance, I was going much faster, and miraculously landed between a sign post and a utility pole that were not much more than shoulder width apart when viewed from my angle of approach.
I was more than a little nervous about replacing the Ultegra cranks even though the shop got them covered under warranty — so I paid extra to upgrade to Dura-Ace.
So much for that!
Compare the pictures Ultegra and Dura-Ace.
When you look at the pictures of the two failed Shimano cranks side-by-side it’s uncanny how similar they look. In both cases the alloy that forms the basis of the crank arm fractured on the drive side, right next to the serial number.
Update: Approx. 2 weeks later. Shimano has graciously replaced the crank set including the front chain rings and even the front derailer — which my shop says is needed to make this work.
That’s about $500.00 retail.
I appreciate it.
Should there be a Shimano crank recall?
After the Ultegra crank failed, I wrote about it — and to this day — 3 years later — it’s still my most read blog.
Granted — that’s not saying much. It’s not like I’m writing for Velo News. But it does indicate that people are searching for info on failed Shimano cranks.
It doesn’t take a huge leap to believe they aren’t Googling this issue for their health.
They are looking online because something happened to them.
Warranty appreciated. But…
While it’s nice that Shimano is willing to replace the failed equipment, you have to wonder why they haven’t done a recall. The ramifications seem pretty obvious.
If a person is hammering, and the crank snaps off —
I can tell you this — when that thing breaks, I don’t care if you have mad skills — you probably won’t be able to control your bike. If there’s a ditch or a car or a cliff — you’re at the mercy of the Gods and luck.
Frankly, I’d rather have the control.
My shop hasn’t heard of issues with the Dura-Ace FC-9000 set up — as they had with the Ultegra — but his Shimano rep, while he didn’t have any comment, didn’t seem surprised when the request came through and didn’t push back.
Not that I want them to.
I mean if they push back just to make it LOOK like the product is sound — that doesn’t solve the “problem” either, does it?
If you are reading this — and you’ve had an issue with a Dura-Ace crank — let’s hear about it in the comments. Let’s see how big this problem is.
In the meantime, be safe.
I had a ultegra crank failure this winter riding up Roanoke mountain. The crank split but I discovered it before total failure and was able to make it back down to Roanoke without injury. Also warranteed with a new crankset. Had no idea it was a common issue.