Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Why doesn't my BB thread all the way in?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Why doesn't my BB thread all the way in?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-21-17 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
showlow's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 53
From: Tucson

Bikes: Lemond Zurich, All City Macho King Ace

Why doesn't my BB thread all the way in?

Why doesn't this BB thread all the way in? It says 68mm on the BB itself and the shell is a 68mm (Surly CC). I'm replacing the BB with the exact same model it had before.

Ride like this? Get a spacer? What to do?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
20170621_153642_HDR.jpg (72.5 KB, 115 views)
showlow is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:07 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 109
If that is a sealed BB that is perfrctly normal. Just means that it is in tight. Find something else to worry about. Roger
rhenning is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:27 PM
  #3  
Retro Grouch's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Do you have a screw securing a bottom bracket cable guide?
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:28 PM
  #4  
3alarmer's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,994
Likes: 10,497
From: Sacramento, CA

Bikes: old ones

.
...if the aesthetics of having that exposed thread bothers you, you can cover it with an old style BB lock ring.
3alarmer is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:32 PM
  #5  
showlow's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 53
From: Tucson

Bikes: Lemond Zurich, All City Macho King Ace

No screws in the BB shell. It's a single speed setup so I took the cable guide off. The exposed threads don't really bother me. I was just wondering if I should do something about it or not.
showlow is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:35 PM
  #6  
maddog34's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 3,236
From: NW Oregon

Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike

did you thoroughly clean the frame's threads with a wire brush?

did you apply a bit of grease to the threads before installing the new BB assembly?

if yes to both questions, then you should quit worrying, and go ride the bike.

the inside of that part of the BB assy. is slightly tapered, to allow for proper alignment and a snug fit.

ride it.
maddog34 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 05:42 PM
  #7  
showlow's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 53
From: Tucson

Bikes: Lemond Zurich, All City Macho King Ace

Originally Posted by maddog34
did you thoroughly clean the frame's threads with a wire brush?

did you apply a bit of grease to the threads before installing the new BB assembly?

if yes to both questions, then you should quit worrying, and go ride the bike.

the inside of that part of the BB assy. is slightly tapered, to allow for proper alignment and a snug fit.

ride it.
yes and yes. will do. thanks.
showlow is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 09:09 PM
  #8  
3alarmer's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,994
Likes: 10,497
From: Sacramento, CA

Bikes: old ones

Originally Posted by showlow
No screws in the BB shell. It's a single speed setup so I took the cable guide off. The exposed threads don't really bother me. I was just wondering if I should do something about it or not.
...the purpose of those installation cups on a sealed unit like yours is to go in far enough that the tapered inner circumference of the cup fixes the casing of the sealed unit firmly in place within the BB shell. When you put the crank arms on, grab them and see if you can feel any movement when you rock them perpendicular to the plane of rotation.

If not, you're in deep enough and good to go. If you feel some movement, back the thing out and start over.
3alarmer is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 09:11 PM
  #9  
ThermionicScott's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID

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)

Totally normal. Finish assembling bike and ride.
ThermionicScott is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 09:13 PM
  #10  
showlow's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 53
From: Tucson

Bikes: Lemond Zurich, All City Macho King Ace

Originally Posted by 3alarmer
...the purpose of those installation cups on a sealed unit like yours is to go in far enough that the tapered inner circumference of the cup fixes the casing of the sealed unit firmly in place within the BB shell. When you put the crank arms on, grab them and see if you can feel any movement when you rock them perpendicular to the plane of rotation.

If not, you're in deep enough and good to go. If you feel some movement, back the thing out and start over.
Riding it now (doing deliveries) and there seems to be no movement. I backed out it twice trying to see if I could get it to thread in all the way. It went in fine. I've just installed a dozen or more cartridge BBs and never had this happen so... Guess it's fine.
showlow is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 10:17 PM
  #11  
MarcusT's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 723
From: NE Italy
Perhaps, I am being a little anal, but on the bikes I've worked on, the left side of the bike, the cup was screwed on first until flush, then the right side was screwed on. I don't know if this makes a difference.
MarcusT is offline  
Reply
Old 06-21-17 | 11:14 PM
  #12  
SquidPuppet's Avatar
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,861
Likes: 41
From: Coeur d' Alene

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Originally Posted by MarcusT
Perhaps, I am being a little anal, but on the bikes I've worked on, the left side of the bike, the cup was screwed on first until flush, then the right side was screwed on. I don't know if this makes a difference.
I wouldn't call that anal, but I would definitely call that backwards.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
loubikes
Bicycle Mechanics
5
02-16-19 07:34 PM
chagheill
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
8
09-01-15 08:46 PM
gremlin75
Bicycle Mechanics
19
03-08-15 12:09 AM
Cyclist0383
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
0
06-29-14 04:00 PM
Gustaf
Bicycle Mechanics
1
08-28-12 11:17 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.