Bicycle Mechanics - Bottom Bracket Question

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Bottom Bracket Question

TheProfessor
07-15-06, 10:26 PM
I am wondering what should a bottom bracket that is in good shape feel like? I took the cranks off my bike for the first time and I notice that the bottom bracket seem harder to spin then I would have guessed it should. I know what wheel hubs should feel like, and my bottom bracket definally feels harder to turn then they are, and it doesn't feel compleatly smooth, but it's not so much that it is obvious to me that it's abnormal.

I don't have too many miles on it, less the 2k but I do ride along the beach a lot and that sand seems to get everywhere.

Anyway thanks for any help, mabey I should just go down to a bike shop and feel a brand new one.:)

2_i
07-15-06, 10:53 PM
Sounds normal. A bottom bracket is intended to be operated by cranks, not by fingers turning the spindle. Legs operating cranks produce a huge torque compared to the fingers. The type of resistance you feel results from the fact that a tight required BB mounting presses sideways on the bearings. Find something else to worry about.
mrkott3r
07-15-06, 10:57 PM
I don't have too many miles on it, less the 2k but I do ride along the beach a lot and that sand seems to get everywhere.


I hope that bracket and every other hub is sealed well against sand