Edit4

 your bike is going to go through more punishment on the trail than like getting hit but that mallet, and thats what it takes to get some parts like cranks off sometimes. like you said with the right tools, there is no harm in doing it.

 Use a crank puller. A hammer shouldn't even be in a toolbox. If it were a necessary tool they'd be included in all Bicycle tool kits.

 Yeah man, We've fired people in our shop for doing that. So stupid!

 used with skill a hammer and a lot of force can fix nething

 Yeah if you have no idea how to use the tools that were built for the job. Nothing like beating on a $200.00 plus set of cranks with a blunt object right? Somehow I doubt that riding on the hillside is more brutal than beating it with a hammer. LMAO!

 I actually used to do that when I was an ignorant bike mechanic. I got fired from my job for it. Well, that and other things such as using pliers and vice grips to do repairs with. All these tools do is damage your bike. A hammer is the biggest NO NO tool you can ever use on a bike.

 i was being sarcastic... its something a friend is always telling me and I kno isnt true

 Yeah of course they don't make hammers for bike mechanics...
Try park tool
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/18660.jpg

 lol, good suggestion... but i already do

 using a hammer is just the jeremy clarkson approach

 @rattbones Then what do you do when the threads is gone because the kid has tryed to do it on his own? In some cases you actualy need a hammer. But only when everything else has failed.

 jeremy clarksons approach works... sometimes

 I was pritty surprized to see him wacking that hard too.
There is no need unless the cranks are really suck on there.

 there is sometimes a use for a light tap with a mallet when something is stuck and you still have the proper tools notice i say light tap not full on lets knock the shit out of it.

 lol. to flymore. i was thinking the exact same thing. the episode when they do the DIY caterham. lol James May says "a hammer is a tool of a pikey." lol

 Sometimes a few light taps may be required. That's fine and all. But if a crank is stuck because some kid screwed it up, well then you leverage it off, or use a little heat and liquid wrench. There are many different/better ways o remove a crank arm rather than a merciless beating like what was in the beginning of the video.

That's what struck me as odd. The guy was beating it like a red headed step child. And the worse part that clicked in my head is that it's representing a shop. So I had to wonder for a second. Is that how my bike would be treated if left in their care?

 its a kona, why not hit it with a hammer?

 LOL!!!!!!!!!!

hp you just made my day.

 pfft id be hitting more than the cranks if it was a kona... i have to hit my bike like that someimes when im working on my rear susp. cuz bolts get sticky. and i reef on star nuts like that too kuz theres no other way to get the damn things out other than gon throgh the whole steer tube... and how do you know that he didnt have a mini crow bar in there?

 They make tools to remove star nuts. In fact, they make tools for everything. Proper tools. If you have sticky or lock-tighted bolts, use liquid wrench. There is NEVER a reason to hammer on a bike like that. There is a solution for everything.

 the f*cks a liquid wrench? well i use a plastic hammer doest damage the bolt... its fine if you know what your doing

 If you have to ask, you have no clue what you're doing.

That was probably the most ignorant statement I've read all day!

 lol, liquid wrench isnt the only bolt loosening fluid on the market.. a lot of peeps wont know what on earth you are talking about, yet may still know more than a thing or two about fixing bikes! a pretty assuming statement if you ask me...

 I just think it's funny that there seems to be a lot of excuses here to hammer on a bike. Flat out, you should never have to do that if you have proper knowledge of bicycle repair and tools.

The ONLY reason you would be defending this action is because you are guilty as charged. I'm not saying you don't know a thing or two about bikes and repair, but ignorance is no excuse for improper (damaging) methods.


What upset me about this clip was that this is an ad for a bike shop. Why would you display to the customer that this is how you operate? Secondly, I understand that a lot of people may tap the crank arm to get it off (even though there are cheap tools made just for this, and usually come with your crankset), however in this clip he is wailing the lower end of the crank arm by the pedal into the bike. I honestly can't think of a single reason anyone would ever have to do this.
Hell, I used to hammer away like that when I thought I knew what I was doing. Then, I learned how to repair and maintenance my bike properly. It's not hard to do. Every bike shop can sell you a $5.00 book. All you have to do is take the time to read it and then understand why a hammer is a poor tool to use. This goes the same for pliers, vice grips, and channel locks. You should never use a tool that is going to damage the bike or it's components.

Plain and simple.

 im not defending it.. i was pointing out u were being harsh by saying that if you didnt know what liquid wrench was then you dont have a clue what you're doing... wrong. and also I was just joking earlier.. u should have noticed by the fact that it is a cliche that peeps say AS A JOKE, and u got all pent up over it lol.
personally the only time i have ever used a hammer is when fitting my headset a long time ago when i was too skint to by the proper tools.. and funnily enough it worked perfectly and ive been running the same one for well over a year and have had no problems so far... its called initiative, and despite the hammer having the potential to damage the bike.. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE because i used a bit of common sense.. what a surprise..
And in case you are worrying, i do not support the fact that the guy in the vid is whacking his bike with a hammer.. that may well damage the bike. And also, I would never want a bike shop to hammer my headset in, its just i didnt have the money to get the tool or get it done, some people arent oozing money lol..

 Eh, not pent up about a thing. Though I'm sure that wasn't directed at me anyway. I just took 30 seconds to answer all the dashboard responses I've been getting.

Common sense is a good start. And no one can tell your demeanor over the internet unless you use things like these: lol, lmao, lmfao, etc.
So it's not fair to pass judgment on a response to a disposition that some one would be completely unaware of and try and use it against them as if they are being a dick or something. If he knew you were joking (by using one of the obvious above signs), and then went on about it, then yes.... Keyboard bash the hell out of him.

LOL, this is a good conversation and I don't think anyone is bent out of shape at all.