j.barbier

hey. i have a generic aluminum frame that i got from the trash pile. i know it's generic judging by the crap components. also, whoever it belonged to ripped all of the stickers off, so i can't identify it. the only stickers that remained were a "7005 hand built aluminum" one on the seat tube, and a "made in china" one on the top of the BB. anyway, it had an adjustable BB (the kind with the fixed cup on the drive side) that i removed, and i'd like to put a race face evolve xc crankset. i was wondering if i could install an external BB like the race face x-type. the bottom bracket is 68mm, but i'm not sure if the threads or the diameter would be the same. i read sheldon brown, but i want to double check!

jccaclimber

Assuming a road or mtb frame it's probably english threaded. If you bring the cups to a shop they should be able to confirm (or if it has 1.37 on it then it's english). Given the frame quality you may want to have the BB shell faced in a shop (this should be cheap) but you may be ok without that.

Edit: Being a 68mm shell you'll need to use the spacers that come with the BB.

j.barbier

Thanks, it is a mtb frame. I forgot to add that. It's English threaded too, I just confirmed that. I guess I'll take it to the LBS to make sure, but a lot of times it seems as if he's no more competent than I am.

I went in there once to buy a threadless headset and the guy looked at me like I was crazy and didn't know what I was talking about. I think he may have been the owner though...