Unexpected BB replacement!
11-16-14, 01:12 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,595
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 455 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 112 Times
in
85 Posts
Unexpected BB replacement!
I took my hybrid up to the LBS yesterday in order to pull the cartridge style BB. I wanted to learn how to do it and to clean up and re-lube the threads and then re-assemble it. Take the time to learn about 1 more item on the bikes. Well it became obvious when I had the cartridge out that the bearings were toast! I could not feel it while riding. Fortunately the shop had the correct size and shortly thereafter everything was back together.
11-16-14, 03:29 PM
#2
Senior Member
Quite common. I have had those sort of surprises too when I did maintenance.
-SP
-SP
11-16-14, 04:12 PM
#4
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times
in
1,577 Posts
I took my hybrid up to the LBS yesterday in order to pull the cartridge style BB. I wanted to learn how to do it and to clean up and re-lube the threads and then re-assemble it. Take the time to learn about 1 more item on the bikes. Well it became obvious when I had the cartridge out that the bearings were toast! I could not feel it while riding. Fortunately the shop had the correct size and shortly thereafter everything was back together.
How many miles were on the BB?
11-16-14, 04:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,595
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 455 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 112 Times
in
85 Posts
Not really sure how many miles. I bought this bike in 4/11. I am guessing 3,000 or so miles.
11-16-14, 04:29 PM
#6
Senior Member
The original BB on one of my bikes lasted about 3 years, though I estimate my miles closer to 12 000 miles during that time. I replaced it with IRD in Jan. Probably 3000 miles on it by now.
11-16-14, 04:59 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
I would consider that premature failure if it were a name brand bottom bracket. My experience with both Shimano and Campy cartridge square taper and Octalink bottom brackets is that 30,000 miles is no problem.
11-16-14, 05:12 PM
#8
Senior Member
Last week I had to pull the crank arm off to replace the middle chain ring on a triple. It's a BB30 crankset and I was surprised to find that the left side bearing was really rough, yet the right bearing is as smooth as silk. I didn't feel anything while riding and the crank didn't feel loose. I have about 20K miles on the bike. I'd like to change it myself as the bearings are cheap; however, the tools are somewhat expensive and I'll never do enough DIY bearing changes to justify buying the tools.
11-16-14, 06:26 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,056
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4195 Post(s)
Liked 3,837 Times
in
2,295 Posts
This is exactly why when a customer brings in their bike to a shop and asks for, say a tune up, things can evolve when actually servicing the bike (as opposed to the write up moment). We don't have X Ray vision, we don't have the long exposure to how the bike rides in varying conditions, we are expected to anticipate all possibilities and explain them before they arise. Most of the time this process goes well enough and all (bike, rider and shop) make out. Andy.
11-16-14, 06:49 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times
in
36 Posts
Last week I had to pull the crank arm off to replace the middle chain ring on a triple. It's a BB30 crankset and I was surprised to find that the left side bearing was really rough, yet the right bearing is as smooth as silk. I didn't feel anything while riding and the crank didn't feel loose. I have about 20K miles on the bike. I'd like to change it myself as the bearings are cheap; however, the tools are somewhat expensive and I'll never do enough DIY bearing changes to justify buying the tools.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Inpd
Bicycle Mechanics
12
09-15-15 02:50 PM
maxbicyclemax
Mountain Biking
6
05-19-10 12:47 AM
