[jaysen]

About a month ago, my peloton developed an intermittent clank that ultimately worsened over time. Last week I was in the middle of a ride when the pedals/crank locked up on me out of nowhere. No matter how much downward force/pressure I placed on the pedals, the cranks would not turn. Fast forward to today, I was finally able to get the crank arm and pulley off, and to my surprise, it looks like the bottom bracket is the culprit. Am I wrong for assuming the part that is chrome/shiny was once attached to the right crank arm? I cannot find any images of the Bike+ right side crank arms to see if that is the case? Need help figuring out what I have to buy to get it up and running again.

I am also considering purchasing an aftermarket bottom bracket since these Vortex ISD-12's are notorious for failing.

 

[jaysen]

I've managed to answer my own question(s) after further tinkering... The chrome ring (once powder coated black, worn to bare metal) is the lock ring for the (right side) bottom bracket. I questioned whether that part attached to the right crank arm and learned it DOES NOT attach. It is a part of the bottom bracket. It appears over time the lock ring loosened (indicated by misaligned paint marks), causing it to come into contact with the right crank arm/pulley (orange wheel). In addition, it looks like tons of shavings may have gotten into the bearing and seized it.

If you see the inside of the orange wheel (technically black part) there is severe marring from where the loose lock ring came into contact. I still have to lean out the threads on the frame but I am fearing the movement from the bottom bracket may have damaged the threads... which would mean a new frame is in line I am praying that is not the case but we shall see...

 

[jaysen]

I think this is going to be a running rant as opposed to a helpful tutorial... shortly after ordering some new bottom brackets, I received the replacements in the mail. For starters, aftermarket bottom brackets, despite claiming to be the same size, definitely DO NOT WORK. a $100 lesson. Anyway, shortly after performing the repair and placing a little blue loctite, all was well... UNTIL a few mins ago. The sound slowly has returned. Ever since the repair I have been very alert to unusual sounds, clings, and clanks. I will say I think I have narrowed down how this issues starts to rear its head. When I started hammering on the cranks at resistances above 60+ I could feel a 'slip' in the cranks/bottom brackets. This was very prominent as I reached 75-85 resistance.

Fast forward, tonight, I was working out and just hit 60 on the resistance when the grinding sound came back. A few minutes in the grinding feel was coming through my feet and into my legs. I have not taken apart the bike but I would bet a months salary that the same part above (chrome ring) has come loose. I will report back once I take it apart tomorrow. I ended up ordering a couple new bottom brackets for shits and gigles, so we shall see.

 

[PedalStomper]

Thank you for sharing your experience and keeping us posted with updates!

 

[jaysen]

Thank you for sharing your experience and keeping us posted with updates!

Of course!

UPDATE: I removed the crank arm and as suspected... same problem as before. The only silver lining was I caught the issue before it became prominent. The ring had only loosened enough to cause slight rubbing/friction to a quarter of the black outer ring. I opted not to replace it, despite buying two more bottom brackets and just tightening it up with some extra blue Loctite. We will see how this plays out. I am super disappointed in the quality of this bike but sure glad I only paid a 1/3 of MSRP. I cannot imagine the anger I would be experiencing had I paid full price.

 

[samsonlopez66]

I am having some similar issues with my bike plus and I think I might need to replace the bottom bracket as well. Did you end up finding an aftermarket bottom bracket that fit your bike? I am hoping to only have to buy it once haha

 

[jaysen]

I am having some similar issues with my bike plus and I think I might need to replace the bottom bracket as well. Did you end up finding an aftermarket bottom bracket that fit your bike? I am hoping to only have to buy it once haha

Sorry for the late reply.

I actually purchased two different brands and BOTH were the incorrect size.
I bought the Truvativ Giga Pipe Team SL Bottom Bracket - 68/68E/73 x 113) and FSA Platinum CrMo BB, ISIS - 68 x 113mm - both from Amazon

Despite the measurements matching the original, both were too small. $100 lesson but someone had to do it. Don't waster your time/money, just purhcase the Peloton Vortex ISD-12 ISIS from eBay. There are several sellers selling brand new/OEM replacements for $20-ish shipped. The biggest factor quite honestly is tightening with loctite. Do not use the RED, but rather a generous amount of BLUE (i forgot the loctite numbering scheme)

Hope this helps! As a side note, and more of a brag than anything, I ended up purchasing a slighlty-used Tread Plus on OfferUp (not sure why they didnt sent back for full credit) and use the Bike half the time as I was before but so far has held up since the last repair.