DanO220

The bearings in my Race Face Signature XS ISIS bottom bracket are worn. Race Face says they are "serviceable and replaceable". And their tech line gave me the part number for the tool which includes cups and bearings for two rebuilds -#BBISSVLT. However, when I attempted to order this kit at the LBS, the proprietor vehemently discouraged me. He told me his own staff of mechanics never, ever rebuild cartrige bearing BB's because it's just not worth the intense effort. He suggested my best course of action would be to simply buy a new BB - which he was all too willing to sell me.

So my question is; has anyone out there ever replaced the bearings in an ISIS bottom bracket? Is it really that hard? (or is this guy just taking the path of least resistance to my hard earned doe?)

I really love these particular BB's. If you're familiar with them you know they make that last little chain line adjustment a snap. Race Face no longer features them on their web site, so the ability to rebuild them might be crucial for me.

Thanks in advance. All the best. DanO

phantomcow2

Ive never known anybody toi rebuilt them. If you have a cartridge type BB you are better off just replace it. I dont know some people complain about ISIS but i never had a problem

55/Rad

If they are supposed to be serviceable/replaceable bearings, then it shouldn't be a big deal. Lots of ISIS BB's are this way - they need to be, the bearings are so small they inevitably wear out. If it's a sealed cartridge type like the Shimano Ultegra, then yes, it's more trouble than it's worth.

55/Rad

sydney

It depends on the paticular BB when it comes to rebuildability.All ISIS types may not be the same either. Shiamno cartridges aren't rebulidable.Shimano octalink DA isn't a true cartridge,but has loose bearing and can be serviced and rebuilt. Campy chorus and record cartridge types have easily replaced cartridge bearings and need no special tools. Duno about FSA. Maybe you can get instructions from FSA to see just what the drill is.

Rev.Chuck

The only real problem with sevicing/replacing cartridge bearings is that driving them into their cup or onto their shaft by the wrong race can damage them and shorten the useful life. You really need to drive on the race that is being pressed: Into a cup you press the outer race, onto a shaft the inner race. But even if you do it wrong it will still probably work fine for quite a while.

mtbikerinpa

I'm pretty sure thats a similar design to the RaceFace BB I have. The operation is simple, given the tool and a press. As he said it has to be done right or it will run rough/draggy.
That said, the shop was probbably trying to ward you off of what would be a non profitable venture. If you were to pay them the labor rate to install them, they would excede the value of the parts and likely the new assembly. If you do them, you will not run into that issue(the tool will cost a bit, but who doesn't like having a rare tool ), and then you can add it to your list of cool skills.

Fredlund

Signiture b.b.s from race face are pretty easy to service with the right tools
i would say it is a pretty good invesment considering the bearing can be warrantied if under a year old