bikerboy869

Well, I took my bike into the shop today because I have been hearing some neat clicking and snapping noises comming from the crank/pedal area. I told the guy what I had been experiencing and he said it sounds like I will need to replace my BB. He told me that depending on the kind I get, it could be around 30 bucks not including labor. SO my question is, considering I am a little new to all this stuff, what would be a good kind of BB to get for a Trek 1400? I guess I did not know there were multiple types to choose from! I don't need something amazing, just something that will work well for a person who bikes 15 to 20 a day (give or take) and 30 or more on the weekends. Thanks for any and all help!

Kyle

Grasschopper

What crank do you have?

55/Rad

The worst part is, without checking anything, there is no way the mechanic can be sure the clicking you hear is the BB.

While chances are pretty good that it is, it could also be your pedal, your cleat, chainring bolts or something else not anywhere near the BB. I once swore a creak in the front hub was coming from the BB.

Anyway, to answer your question - assuming you have Shimano 9 speed, the 105 BB is the least expensive model worth buying. Good luck.

55/Rad

62vette

As suggested a bit more diagnosis is needed to work out the source of the noise.

Possibilities:

• Crank bolts need tightening
• Chainring bolts need tightening
• Bottom bracket needs tighening
• Pedals need tighening
• Pedal(s) need lube or some silicon spray
• Bottom bracket needs to be replaced
• Chainring(s) needs to be straightened or replaced
• All of the above need grease on threads plus the crank/BB spline interface needs some grease

You can do most of the diagnosis yourself, but you'll need some tools to get at the BB and remove the crank. You'll just need allen keys to tighen all the bolts on the crank and chainrings, and that's the best place to start along with spraying silicon on the pedals.

You can also check the BB bearings by taking the chain off the chainring (rest it on the BB shell) and spin the cranks. They should be completely silent and spin freely with no rumbles or resistance.

bikerboy869

alright! thanks for the advice! Considering I will have to save for any repairs, I will try these things BEFORE taking the bike in! Where would be the best place to look on how to check these areas? I know there is an online place but I cant remember the site. Thanks again!

2kwik4u

www.parktool.com/repair will tell you everything you need to know

bikerboy869

Thanks! I do remember that now!

okpik

Also you can test to see if there is play in the BB bearings, if so when you grab the crank you will be able to jiggle it a tiny bit from side to side in various positions of its rotation, typically thats what happens first, the bearings wear, some play develops and then the wear starts getting more serious. If you dont ride much you also might run into a situation where the lube inside the BB has had a chance to dry out or get contaminated with dirt or moisture which will cause problems too. They dont last forever, I get as little as 5k miles out of them sometimes.

oilman_15106

+1

Psimet2001 

+2 - Had a ghost seat rail click that really sounded like the BB. Be systematic about your diagnosis. Eliminate possibilities. This last one I got figured out when I noticed it disappeared while out of the saddle. Simple solutions are beautiful sometimes.

Don't get frustrated either. I've been wrenching for almost 20 years and sometimes I can end up chasing my tail. Sometimes I find a nut though...eh CyLowe97?

bikerboy869

Thanks for all the advice everybody!

jeremyb_nz

I had a clicking once every crank rotation, I took my BB out and I'd bent the drive side spindle! DOH!

Starclimber

Yep. Just like my seat post BB issue. I was doing all my riding sitting to build leg strength, and going CRAZY from the noisy sporadic clicking from the 'BB'. Then I stood up to sprint in a rage, and...no more clicking. Sat down feeling much calmer and wiser. Of course, this does make one wonder...exactly how the hell does a seat post make that horrendous noise!? Pulling it and cleaning and greasing it silenced it completely. This was/is never a problem on my steel bike.