Mountain Biking - hello I'm new

Hello Everyone!

I recently bought my friend's 2k Specialized Rockhopper Comp Hardtail.

I'm thinking of upgrading the cranks to new Shimano XT cranks, but it requires a ES-70 splined Bottom Bracket.

Does anyone know or how to find out what size my stock bottom brackets are. Because looking at the new Rockhoppers, they came with 68x110 brackets(if it's the same as mine) and the ES-70 only has 68x113.

Will it fit?:confused:

Well, both my '95 and my '02 use a 110x68 if that helps.

An option would be to remove the bb and look at the measurement written on the sleeve if you have a bb tool.

The best way is to take the old one out! It usually is stamped on the shell of the bottom brackett. The first number is the width of the bottom bracket, the second number is the length of the spindle (axle). The difference between the two is minimal, but I'm surprised you can't get a new Shimano in the required 110. Is it a closeout deal and you're trying to save a buck or two?

The best thing to do is to send a e-mail to Specialized Tech Department. Tell them you're upgrading to XT, and ask what spindle length THEY recommend. 3 mm (1.5mm each side) is not a lot, but it may be enough to throw off your chainline. I'd get it straight from them or try the guys at www.Speedgoat.com they're very knowledgable and always helpful.

L8R:beer:

well the minimum size shimano offers for the ES-70 is 68x113.

Shimano has a BB with 68x110 size on the old UN-72, but it's the traditional squared ones and the XT cranks uses the splined ones.

what a predicament I'm in:(

Fear not Young Jedi! I'm sure you'll be fine, I just wanted you to verify w/SPecialized before you take the plunge!

L8R

a2psyklnut- where are you from? Not many outside us locals on Ohio & Pensylvania know of speedgoat.

it's weird... I visited specialized.com and at their FAQ site.

the 95-99 Rockhopper uses a 73x110 BB.

Stumpjumper. What kind of bike you ride?

I guess i'm gonna have to open her up and see the actual size..

Stumpjumper. What kind of bike you ride?
Whatevers not loaned out or in the repair stand. :)


Was a 95 rockhopper, broken frame and returned for warranty. Received a 2002 rockhopper fs comp frame in return. Also an '88 Stumpjumper singlespeed conversion, a mid-70's Kurahara touring bike, early '60s Astra (Motobecane) road bike, early 70's Gitane Super Corsa, a handfull of beater bikes & cruisers, and whatever is currently stored in my garage on behalf of friends (currently a GT I-drive, a Giant Yukon, and some no-name bike)

Weird. I just looked in the junk box, and sure enough, the old bb I took off my 95 a1 fs comp is a 68x110, not a 73

Looking at this post make me wonder about the upgrade path for my IDrive 5.0

It has a Suntour MD-252 made from pressed steal I think. I am thinking that a new crank set might be the best place to start my slow upgrade process.

Any thoughts?

You can get the first value without taking out the BB (the second one too with some calipers for that matter). Just measure the width of the bottom bracket shell of the frame. Do not include the BB flange in the measurement.

I have heard from several sources that the splined 113mm spindles correspond with the 110mm square tapers. I don't use Shimano splined myself so I cannot verify this myself.

yes, yes, yes!

The i-drive 5 thats stored in my garage has one of those things on it. I took it off and put an older 9-spd xt crank on it. Whenever Chad wants his bike back, I'll need to put the Suntour back on, but for now while I have it...

That crankset must weightwo pounds or so!

I've been plotting what I would do to the bike if it was forgotten and left with me (the original owner Chad has not been back for it in the last 10 months!). I decided I would:
1- dump the crank for an xt (heavy, shifts poorly when muddy)
2- Replace the fork with a Marzocchi Z.1 (lighter, more travel)
3- replace the rear shock with a Fox (way lighter, more travel)
4- eventualy replace the wheels with xt/mavics (best place to save weight is in the wheels)

...but I'm sure he'll come back and ruim my fantasy.

Thanks for the info. You could just go to www.superego.com and pick one up for $475.00 At that price it is hard not to get one. Well ok you can guess It was not hard for me it was impossible.


So if any XTR crank will fit then I guess I better start searching for one on eBay. ;)

Did you have to replace the BB?

Any issues I should look out for?

Originally posted by Baby Huey
Looking at this post make me wonder about the upgrade path for my IDrive 5.0

It has a Suntour MD-252 made from pressed steal I think. I am thinking that a new crank set might be the best place to start my slow upgrade process.

Any thoughts?

Well hopefully I'll get my Suntour set replaced this week, I'm a little restricted in that I'm 7/8spd and want a 48T top so I'm having to go mid-range Nexave. If you can run 9spd plain Deore hollowtech gets good reviews (apart from a soft middle ring), so anything from their upwards...

Richard

Originally posted by Baby Huey
Thanks for the info. You could just go to www.superego.com and pick one up for $475.00 At that price it is hard not to get one. Well ok you can guess It was not hard for me it was impossible.


So if any XTR crank will fit then I guess I better start searching for one on eBay. ;)

Did you have to replace the BB?

Any issues I should look out for?

When I was looking around and learning things about my bike in the process. The XTR cranks require the 952 model XTR BB.

So you might have to change the BB also. Then depending on the size of your frame or the stock BB that came with it. The 952 model is limited in size. So far(correct me if i'm wrong) the sizes are 68 or 73 x 112.5 and 68 or 73 x 116.

Pricepoint has square taper Truvativ Stylo SL cranksets with rings for $64.98. I just ordered a set on Monday to replace my stock cranks...(CPI or something) plus my chainrings are pretty worn so it was time.

So you might have to change the BB also. Then depending on the size of your frame or the stock BB that came with it.

Yeah, the i-drive 5 has a square taper bb and the XTR is a splined spindle

Thanks for the info. You could just go to www.superego.com and pick one up for $475.00 At that price it is hard not to get one. Well ok you can guess It was not hard for me it was impossible.

Well, part of the fantasy is getting the bike itself for free.:D
I figure If I want to shell out for the upgrades up front (which takes twice as much dinero up front but is cheaper in the long run) I'd just pick up a 2.0 for around $1100.

I haven't done any research on Truvativ cranks. But what is the difference between the shimano LX and Truvativ Stylo.

I know the Stylo is lighter, but how about stiffness, strenght and reliability? which one is better?

For $70 bucks I might just do it. Would that be a good first upgrade?

How hard to replace.


BTW I got the 5.0 because my budget is tight. Figured I would upgrade as I break or get some $ find great deals etc.

Not hard at all if you've got the right tools, impossible without them!

To start with, you'll need an 8mm allen (hex) wrench.

You'll need, a crank puller - a tool designed to pull cranks of all things

Then you'll also need a splined bottom brackett tool to remove/install the bottom brackett.

The tools will cost you about $35 to $45 mail order, I'd suggest getting either Park Tools (Blue) or Pedro's Tools/Wrench Force (Yellow). There are some other manufacturer's of tools out there but not of the quality or Park or Pedro's. Lifu comes to mind! Most mail order has these tools and you could probably get a deal on a bottom brackett and cranks at the same time.

BTW, there are two types of bottom brackett tools. Make sure to tell them you need the one for the splined bottom brackett.

You'll also need the splined plug for a crank puller. It's a little steel cap thingy that slides into a splined bb axle to allow the crank puller to have something to push against. This is harder to explain, but obvious once you see one!

Good Luck.
L8R

BTW I got the 5.0 because my budget is tight. Figured I would upgrade as I break or get some $ find great deals etc.

well, youre one up on me. mines a loaner ;)

Electing to ride this weekend and not wrench. Better to ride the snot out of my bike then spend my $$$ on upgrade as that just me time spent riding will have to b spent wrenching

I might have to go with TruVativ also, instead of changing the BB and cranks(being lazy and tools are expensive). Bsides there is nothing wrong with my BB right now, it's just my cranks are heavy and the rings are worn out. At least with TruVativ, it's lighter than shimano LX, less expensive than buying BB+LX crank and the only tool I need to buy is the crank puller:D