Commuting - Breezer bottom bracket problems, anyone else?

Problem is essentially a "ticking" sound and senstaion with every crank rotation, felt on the non-drive side at about the 10 o'clock position. It's more noticeable/louder under power, going up hill.The problem seemed to come and go for me initially, but I've been on the Breezer more often lately and it's been happening on every ride.

I've commented about this problem in the past, but I finally got annoyed enough to take the Breezer down to the LBS.

The shop called, after taking out my bottom bracket, to let me know that it was pretty gunked and there was a noticeable tightening on one side with each rotation, so much so that it gets difficult to turn the spindle by hand, then it releases and frees up, repeat.

Granted, the Breezer has become my foul weather bike, but it's not like I've been riding it in torrential downpours, or even all that often in the rain, just more for the fenders after recent rains, ect. It's got less than 600 miles on it at this point, so I would expect the original bottom bracket to hold up longer than that? I'm a big dude, at 6'4", 210lbs, so maybe I'm just putting a lot of junk on it while I'm tooling around.

They're replacing it with an upgraded shimano bottom bracket, but they also asked about spacers that are used with the original part. They are contacting breezer to find out why spacers were used instead of installing a properly sized bottom bracket to begin with. Does anyone know about this or have comments to share? Can the spacers be ditched if the replacement bottom bracket is properly sized?

This LBS is not a Breezer dealer, but I enjoy dealing with them.

Sent you a PM. As you discover more about the issue, please keep sharing!

You might want to try a post about this in the mechanics form. Last winter I rebuilt my whole bike and they were pretty helpful about stuff like this.

I've had nothing but trouble with my Breezer bottom bracket.

Was riding in the rain today and the clicking started again. This will be the fourth time in 2,000 miles I'm taking it back to the shop.

Bottom brackets don't usually tick or click. Man, we have been through so many of these posts and I have experienced you frustrations so many times personally, I am convinced that it is very nearly always something else that makes you think it is the bottom bracket.

In my experience, it is usually:

a) the cable lock attached to your bike swinging and clanking against the frame with every pedal rotation.
b) One of your pedals is shot.

You will surely get a bijillion responses, but start with those simple things first.

You may be right. But every time I take my Breezer in to my authorized dealer, Ordinary Bikes, in Tucson, Ariz., they describe the problem as being with the bottom bracket. The ticking is precisely as KnoxBreezer describes it, right down to the 10 o'clock position on the non-drive side.

You may be right. But every time I take my Breezer in to my authorized dealer, Ordinary Bikes, in Tucson, Ariz., they describe the problem as being with the bottom bracket. The ticking is precisely as KnoxBreezer describes it, right down to the 10 o'clock position on the non-drive side.

I never owned a Breezer and you do, so I have to bow to your experience and understanding of the machine.

What would make the BB click?

I'm not sure, but when I took it to the mechanic in June, he repacked it and it hasn't caused me any trouble since. The thing is, I've asked everyone I've run into with a Breezer about it (about 20), and 80% report bottom bracket issues. They were all Uptowns and Villagers and both types of frames.

I'm not sure, but when I took it to the mechanic in June, he repacked it and it hasn't caused me any trouble since. The thing is, I've asked everyone I've run into with a Breezer about it (about 20), and 80% report bottom bracket issues. They were all Uptowns and Villagers and both types of frames.

Holy smokes! 80% failure rate of the bottom bracket! And the mechanic fixed the problem by repacking it - so it is a lubrication issue? Wow, unthinkable from a manufacturing standpoint. I am sure that cheap Walmart bikes have a better success rate than that.

Has anybody heard any comments from Breeze? No recall?

No, but where I live, there are only 2 Breezer dealers. I couldn't rule out the possibility that it was an assembly problem. There's only about 3-5 individuals assembling all the Breezers in town. I'm also not mechanical enough to be able to explain the issue. Perhaps one of the more mechanically inclined Breezer owners could contact them? If they did a search here on "breezer bottom bracket", they would pull up more than one thread where people are discussing it.

No, but where I live, there are only 2 Breezer dealers. I couldn't rule out the possibility that it was an assembly problem. There's only about 3-5 individuals assembling all the Breezers in town. I'm also not mechanical enough to be able to explain the issue. Perhaps one of the more mechanically inclined Breezer owners could contact them? If they did a search here on "breezer bottom bracket", they would pull up more than one thread where people are discussing it.

I think you can rule out a local problem due to the dealer. Bikes are almost always shipped at least partially assembled. I have never assembled a Breezer out of the factory box, but I am willing to bet it comes with the BB already assembled. It must be a factory problem OR an unusual coincidence.

This is a common problem, recogized in the following email by Joe Breeze. Mine developed the tick within 200 miles and was fixed with the repack by my LBS. He wouldn't have known the fix without this email..

Tom

Quote From the original poster:

"So I emailed Breezer and got a response from Joe Breeze. He said that I had to tighten the bottom bracket.

Here was his instructions--

The fix is straight forward: Remove chainguard (not bracket) and both cranks. Loosen right-side BB cup. Tighten left side BB cup to 400 in/lbs, holding bracket from rotating. Snug up right-side BB. Re-install cranks and guard.

Joe Breeze
Breezer Bicycles"

Holy smokes! 80% failure rate of the bottom bracket! And the mechanic fixed the problem by repacking it - so it is a lubrication issue? Wow, unthinkable from a manufacturing standpoint. I am sure that cheap Walmart bikes have a better success rate than that.

Has anybody heard any comments from Breeze? No recall?

Yeah, needless to say, I'm not all that happy about this. It's one thing to have this happen on a bargain bike, but c'mon... the Breezers are not cheap. The LBS remarked that the OEM Bottom Bracket was a low-end part, and that is a bit dissapointing. Seems like I'm not the only one. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Breezer, and I'll end up with a newer, "upgraded" bottom bracket for just a few clams, but hopefully this is a problem Breezer can address and fix in the future.

I'll try finding out more about the spacer issue in the mechanics forum. Hopefully I'll hear from the LBS this week with a repair update.

On the up-side, it looks like folks who noticed and addressed the ticking issue quickly got away with having their stock bottom bracket saved. Unfortunately I must have let it go too long. Word to the wise, Breezer owners... get your bottom bracket looked at (or perform the fix mentioned here by Twebs46) if the ticking starts up!

Just put the Breezer back on the road today after the new bottom bracket install. The old part was junk, gritty as heck, and tight consistantly in one section of the rotation. After only 550miles... I'm not impressed.

The problem is, the ticking is still present, in the same spot, under the same conditions. I've visually inspected all the rotating parts of the drivetrain and don't see any place where it may be getting hung up, catching, scraping or causing this sound/sensation. It occurs only when under a heavy pedal.

I would also assume the new BB is installed properly. I'm going to give the LBS a shout and take it back out to them for more troubleshooting. Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions I can load up on to have on mental file when I get to the LBS?

Is it the type of BB with peices, i.e. spindle, cups and bearings/carrier, or is it a cartridge affair? If it is composed of individual components, I have had the same thing happen on many of my bikes. Generally what happens is either the grease got contaminated (needs a cleaning/repack), or the bearing preload is wrong (has worked itself to be too tight/loose).

I can understand being upset by having a part fail on a fairly expensive piece of equipment, however, you can get a UN-71 for about $30 and replace it yourself with minimal knowledge/tools. Or have the shop do it. Personally, I would rather fix the root of the problem rather than band-aid it until it finally goes.

Also, does the Breezer in question have a drainage hole in the bottom of the BB shell, and what kind of grease is it packed with from the factory? I have always had good luck in bad conditions with Marine Grade Lithium Grease, and I hear Phil Wood and Park make some pretty nice stuff, as well.

-Rob.

Is it the type of BB with peices, i.e. spindle, cups and bearings/carrier, or is it a cartridge affair? If it is composed of individual components, I have had the same thing happen on many of my bikes. Generally what happens is either the grease got contaminated (needs a cleaning/repack), or the bearing preload is wrong (has worked itself to be too tight/loose).

I can understand being upset by having a part fail on a fairly expensive piece of equipment, however, you can get a UN-71 for about $30 and replace it yourself with minimal knowledge/tools. Or have the shop do it. Personally, I would rather fix the root of the problem rather than band-aid it until it finally goes.

Also, does the Breezer in question have a drainage hole in the bottom of the BB shell, and what kind of grease is it packed with from the factory? I have always had good luck in bad conditions with Marine Grade Lithium Grease, and I hear Phil Wood and Park make some pretty nice stuff, as well.

-Rob.

While this is a good thought, I wouldn't do it because the chainguard is also assembled to the bracket and it, according to Joe Breeze, is causing the noise.

I had to tighten mine once (and I think that post clip made was from my communication to Joe Breeze) but haven't had the problem since. Breezer knows about this and if you are having repeated problems like this, I'd ask for their advice. I suspect they've done some redesign work and have some thoughts that would help you out. I would hope they'll cover the cost of the fix with their warranty.

Just a quick update on the clicking problem...

After letting this drive me crazy for a while, I decided to take off the shimano M324 pedals. Ticking hasn't come back since. The breezer is wearing the straight stock platforms now, and I'm in love.

Granted there WAS a problem with the bottom bracket, and the new one seems to have solved whatever happened there... so between replacing BB, and taking off the M324s, it looks like the Breezer is running "tick" free!

I'm glad I found this thread! I thought I was going crazy. I too bought a Breezer Uptown 8 last year, and few months ago, I too developed the clicking in my bottom bracket. I thought it was very strange that a bottom bracket would fail in such a new bike. My LBS replaced the BB, and it has been fine ever since.

I love my Breezer, but it is rather disappointing to hear so many people are experiencing this same issue. :(

I've had similar noises on bikes and it was the pedals. What type are you using? (Pedals are usually cheaper than bottom brackets too, so it would be good to check those first.)

True, but when one reads email from Joe Breeze acknowledging the problem, it's more than likely not the pedals.

Joe Breeze just wants the whole Breezer phenomenon to fall apart. He's recently discovered his true passion: building full carbon fiber mountain bikes.


:p

(I didn't see that post, heh...)

Joe Breeze just wants the whole Breezer phenomenon to fall apart. He's recently discovered his true passion: building full carbon fiber mountain bikes.


:p

(I didn't see that post, heh...)

Perhaps your pulling chains here but he built mountain bikes 5 to 10 years ago. The Breezer commuter bikes are new designs.

Perhaps your pulling chains here but he built mountain bikes 5 to 10 years ago. The Breezer commuter bikes are new designs.
That was the reference.

The bottom bracket on my "Uptown 8" went out at about 4500 miles so I guess it lasted longer than most. Not sure why but it also necessitated the replacement of the chain guard. I found a nifty mental chain case at Velo Orange that to my eye looks way better than the original plastic guard.

I hate the original plastic guard. My BB is fine. I do have noise in the rotation, but its due to the crankarm rubbing against the chain-guard. Any pics/links to what you found?

I got this chain case for my Breezer at "Velo Orange." They sell bike and accessories for the practical cyclist. They have a good web site. The chain case came unpainted.

The case is all metal. It was installed for me by the Breezer dealer in Olympia , Washington when they replaced the bottom bracket. While I am guessing there are lighter alternatives, I like the looks of this one and it makes a good bulletin board too. The chain case and the bike have signs of wear as this, for me at least, is a high miles bike, over 8000 city commuting miles to date.

Cheers,


http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=205165&d=1307460564&thumb=1&stc=1

Breezer Villager, purchased around 2004, required a new bottom bracket around 2006ish -- very early on, very disappointing -- and now I have to do it again in 2011. But the (Shimano, like yours) replacement lasted twice as long as the original bottom bracket. This past winter (let's just say in the Pacific Northwest, that would be from October to May) was really wet. I commute to and from work every business day, which is only 2-3 miles a day total, but c'mon - this is the only bike where I have had to do this at all. Maybe the bracket itself is a bit too small for daily riding or something. It does seem weak, and I am not a big dude, 5'10" around 160 pounds... Probably will settle with a road bike the next time around, but for now I'll have to get a new bottom bracket again.
Another thing to gripe about with the Breezers is the internal Shimano hub on the back. While it is sealed and awesome for a 7 speed, the black plastic pieces wear out. Just a gripe. UPDATE: Just to clarify, the internal hub itself has performed perfectly, the gripe is with the external plastic components that need to be adjusted when taking off the chain, etc. Real pain to have to readjust the cable, etc, with the internal hub. It's times like this that I'd prefer a plain 'ol cluster with a derailer. The good news is I have only had to perform the operation 3 or 4 times since the original purchase in 2004...

My Breezer, the "Uptown 8" has the Shimano 8 speed. I have to say it has basically worked flawlessly in over 8100 miles. Once in a while it needs adjustment but it works great. Once or twice the black plastic gaskets on the exterior got noisy but a shot of oil takes care of that.
I think when I replace or supplement this this bike with a back-up, I will go with the Shimano 8 speed. Someone now makes an internal 11 speed but it is crazy expensive. I have heard several people in the know say the that 8 speed is more reliable and generally works better than Shimano's 7 speed.
Keep riding!

Holy old thread batman!

Only problem I had with my Breezer was the non-drive side crank falling off in the middle of going to school.

I love my Breezer.