bottom brackets

[alcahueteria]

Alright, I have an azonic steelhead, which is not a bmx I know. I have bmx cranks on it currently however. And my bottom bracket is shot. So I was looking at getting a new one, but I don't know if there are certain bmx specific bottom brackets that I will have to get or what. The crank arm has 10 grooves, or splines on it. I already tried an isis bb but it was too thick. The crank arm didn't even fit over the spindle and the grooves look different. The isis has rounded valley's while the crank arm's are squared off. The shell is threaded too, so it doesn't take won't accept "American" bottom brackets (the press in kind, I am pretty sure those are american), but I am not sure if European are the same shell diameter as a regular mountain bike. I believe mine is a 62. But there's one other catch, the spindle length is like 148. And the longest I've seen so far is a 120. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[hypersnazz]

BMX cranks don't use cartridge BB units, so if your crankset truly is BMX you can remove the spindle and buy a euro conversion kit to replace the cups and smashed bearings. If it's square taper I'm guessing 22mm spindle diameter. Bada-bing.

If that's not the case and you can't remove the spindle by simply tapping it out then those aren't BMX cranks and you need a regular old square taper BB for a mountain bike.

[alcahueteria]

They really are bmx cranks. They aren't square taper. I have the whole thing pulled out, and the spindle is reusable from what it seems I guess. I didn't know I could just buy the bearings. My bike is set up for a threaded bottom bracket which is the european type I think. So you're saying I can just buy new bearings to fit that? Also, is a threaded type european, what is spanish?

[hypersnazz]

They really are bmx cranks. They aren't square taper. I have the whole thing pulled out, and the spindle is reusable from what it seems I guess. I didn't know I could just buy the bearings. My bike is set up for a threaded bottom bracket which is the european type I think. So you're saying I can just buy new bearings to fit that? Also, is a threaded type european, what is spanish?

Okay, I totally misread that this morning 'cause I was in a hurry. The spline pattern you're describing sounds a fairly common "standard" (not really a standard) used by several companies who more than likely all have their sets manufactured at the same place. Spindle diameter is 22mm (Primo standard), but you might double-check with some calipers before ordering to make sure it's not 3/4" (19mm) Profile standard.

If your BB is threaded it's 99% likely it's ISO 1.375"x24tpi "euro" standard. The extra long spindle might mean you've got a 73mm BB shell (common on mountain bikes) but that doesn't matter with BMX cranks (BMX shells are 68mm, which is why you don't find spindles longer than 120mm). Long as you're re-using the spindle and arms you can replace the cups and bearings separately at Dan's or your LBS.

Spanish bottom brackets have cups machined into the BB shell and bearings pressed in, just like an integrated headset. Last I checked the bearings were an odd size and hard to get a hold of, which sort of defeated the whole purpose (big beefy American bearins in a more compact shell).

Hope that gets you off in the right direction. :)

[alcahueteria]

I definitely think it will, thanks.

:edit: any suggestions on who makes good replacement bearings? I need something beefy, I trashed my friends bb too and he's having the same problem I am now...

[hypersnazz]

I definitely think it will, thanks.

:edit: any suggestions on who makes good replacement bearings? I need something beefy, I trashed my friends bb too and he's having the same problem I am now...

I think most of those bearings all come out of the same factory. In any case, euro bearings will always be easier to smash than american bearings 'cause they're smaller. I just wrote down the part number off the actual cartridges and ordered like 12 of 'em so when I smash one I don't even have to replace the cups anymore. Costs me like $2.50 each time I smash 'em. :p

[alcahueteria]

interesting. I will need to inspect my remains, cause there seems to be a lot of demolished stuff, but if that's an option, I will definitely look to that route. Thanks for the tip.

[CMcMahon]

Maybe if you would simply tell us what kind of cranks they are, this wouldn't be such a problem?

[Brian]

Thank you, Beerman. The Steelhead is typically sold as a bare frame, so it's not like we can even dig up a spec sheet for this complete.

[alcahueteria]

maybe if I knew what kind of cranks they are I would tell you...they are three peice steel cranks with a pinch bolt on the bottom bracket end and they say nothing on them anywhere, they are black and a bit rusty. I'll look for something similar now...oh and they are round-ish along the length.

:edit: they look similar to these
http://www.albes.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=255

[Brian]

This thread is worthless without photos. Seriously, get a shot of the crank and spindle, and Beerman or BMXTRIX or Snazz Master J could ID it in a second.

[alcahueteria]

alright, will do then...

[hypersnazz]

maybe if I knew what kind of cranks they are I would tell you...they are three peice steel cranks with a pinch bolt on the bottom bracket end and they say nothing on them anywhere, they are black and a bit rusty. I'll look for something similar now...oh and they are round-ish along the length.

:edit: they look similar to these
http://www.albes.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=255

Hah! I totally called it. Those were the cranks I was referring to in my reply; Mosh / Snafu / Demolition and a few others, it's all the same crankset. Pretty common off-brand standard. Those happen to be 22mm spindle diameter.

[alcahueteria]

and the pictures...as requested
http://www.lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0545.jpg
http://www.lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0546.jpg
http://www.lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0543.jpg
http://www.lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0544.jpg

[CMcMahon]

We need to see the cups and bearings to be able to tell what kind of BB it is, guy, although I'm guessing by the lockring (which is on the wrong side - it should be on the opposite side of the sprocket) that it's a Euro, with a 22mm spindle.

[Brian]

Good photos.

[CMcMahon]

http://www.sjbmx.com/images/0507sanjose/cmcmahon_seatgrab_jstrate.jpg

Better photo. 'Cause I'm back in the saddle again, duh duh duh, duh duh duh.

[Brian]

Tell me again why some guys run LHD.

[CMcMahon]

So I don't have to repair/replace parts of my drivetrain all the time from beating the hell out of it.

[Brian]

What's the difference between RHD and LHD? Is it because you grind on the right?

[hypersnazz]

Wowzers, those things are mangled! They're also nothing like the Mosh/Demolition/Snafu cranks you pointed to. I'd say measure 'em with a caliper, if they really are 22mm you can replace the BB with BMX parts. If not, they're not BMX cranks and you should be checking the MTB forum. I've seen some weird BMX-style cranksets for MTB that simply don't exist in the BMX world but I don't know much about 'em. I'm particularly confused by the remains of your BB, since it looks like a cartridge-style MTB unit.

[CMcMahon]

Now that I think about it, those look like XS cranks with the logos worn off; those are the only BMX cranks I can think of with angled cartridge bearings. Replacing the old bearings and cups with a Primo BB will do the trick.

[alcahueteria]

cup an bearing's huh. alright, I'll see what I can do. How are these different from the snafu's? I mean, I'm sure the snafu's are better but they look similar, round, similar pinch bolt, the splined spindle what am I missing? oh and the non-drive side is missing the cup in these pictures, I had forgotten to pile it back on with the rest of the trash after I took it apart. Oh and the sprocket should be between the lockring and the frame? How about the non drive side of the frame, maybe?

[hypersnazz]

cup an bearing's huh. alright, I'll see what I can do. How are these different from the snafu's? I mean, I'm sure the snafu's are better but they look similar, round, similar pinch bolt, the splined spindle what am I missing? oh and the non-drive side is missing the cup in these pictures, I had forgotten to pile it back on with the rest of the trash after I took it apart. Oh and the sprocket should be between the lockring and the frame? How about the non drive side of the frame, maybe?

Different spline pattern and totally different bottom bracket which *could* mean different spindle diameter but I'm still wagering 22mm.

[queensrider86]

What's the difference between RHD and LHD? Is it because you grind on the right?


i think it's because he's a pedal grind fanatic like me

[alcahueteria]

These are the best pictures of what's left, so I hope they are good enough.

http://lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0547.jpg
http://lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0548.jpg
http://lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0549.jpg
http://lcc.crue.us/extras/azonic/cranks/100_0550.jpg

oh and I put a micrometer on the fat part of the spindle today and it read about 20 for whatever that's worth. I'm guessing that would fall into the 19 area.

[CMcMahon]

Just get the S&M 22mm Euro kit. That'll fix your problems.

[alcahueteria]

will do, thanks for the info.