mxyzptlk

Hi all, I'm really frustrated at this thing...

Long story short, I built it up with an Ultegra bottom bracket and FSA Energy cranks. There isn't enough clearance in between the crank and the chainstay, so when I pedal hard, the end of the crank will still rub the chainstay. I tried grinding down the end of the crank to give it more clearance, but even then, the cranks are so flexy that I still get crank rub.

The Ultegra BB is a 68-109.5. Does anyone here ride a 2004 Crosswind? What BB-crank set up do you have on yours?

My other questions:

1. Can I put an XT/XTR BB in there? That way I can get a 113mm spindle length BB...
2. Do you think if I were to use Ultegra cranks that it would solve the clearance issue?
3. I like the FSA Gossamer MegaExo cranks with the built-in BB. Will they fit on this bike?

Thanks a lot.

Timo

Use an Ultegra BB for a triple crankset. The axle is slightly longer and the problem is solved

mxyzptlk

Ok... stupid follow-up question... what will that do to the chainline and how will that affect the derailleurs? Will I need to get new ones?

Timo

Nope, the chainline will change a bit but nothing drastic. There's absolutely no need at all to change the derailleurs. I ran Shimano Ultegra on many cross bikes and always used the triple BB-axle. Same with Campagnolo on my current cross bikes.

mxyzptlk

Awesome! Thanks for the help!!!

endform

Depending on how you've got your front set up you might have to futz with the limit screws on your front der.

nowheels

I had a 2005 Crosswind and ran a 105 double with the octalink 109 BB. Never had any problems. Don't know much about the FSA. But what you could do before you get a new BB is to take a cassette spacer and put it on the drive side of the octalink BB, this will push it out about 2mm, which should be enought to give you the clearance you need while no having to change anything else. cost you about 5.00 at the most. Learned this one frmo the local LBS......also this is a common fix for MTB 73mm botom brackets that you want to use on a 68mm frame. You still have plenty of thread to secure the BB, so it will not have any issues with the BB coming loose.

mxyzptlk

Interesting. That would have never occurred to me to try that. I'll definitely give it a go.

I'm really wondering now if it's just the thickness of the crank and if I were to just slap a Shimano crankset on there it would go away... I suppose I need to look at that too.

nowheels

Just putting on a shimano crank set will fix it. I had the same frame and ran it with a 105 octalink and never had a problem. But if you do not want to get rid of your FSA crank, then the shim/spacer is a nice option.