Quick BB question
07-21-09, 11:36 AM
#1
Still learning to coast
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Quick BB question
I just got a new BB today, and I was wondering how many miles (roughly) it takes to break in a new BB so its not so stiff. Im doing a quick little 25 miler tonight to test out my new setup and was wondering if it will be broken in by then. Thanks!
07-21-09, 12:51 PM
#2
Old fart
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The stiffness you refer to is likely just seal drag and is negligible when pedaling.
IOW, don't worry about it.
IOW, don't worry about it.
07-21-09, 07:07 PM
#3
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I'm assuming you have a BB with cartridge bearings, and not loose balls. I've had one that was very hard to turn with the fingers - like something was wrong. I reinstalled it a few times, trying various tricks, like tightening each side a little instead of completely installing one side. Somehow, I finally got it so that it turned smooth, with a little stiffness. I've lived with it for 1.5 years and just remembered about it after reading your post.
Bottom line, if the action is smooth (no gritty feel) but a bit stiff to turn, I think that's the nature of cartridge bearings.
In a way, I prefer the old school BBs because of their infinite adjustability and serviceability.
Bottom line, if the action is smooth (no gritty feel) but a bit stiff to turn, I think that's the nature of cartridge bearings.
In a way, I prefer the old school BBs because of their infinite adjustability and serviceability.
07-21-09, 07:15 PM
#4
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Most cartridge bearings have a little resistance from the seals.. really good ones are smoother due to higher machining tolerances, and a high quality and properly adjusted 3 piece bb is about as smooth as it gets.
The trade off is that this little bit of seal drag protects the cartridge bb that is already deficient in bearings compared to the 3 piece and will allow it to last a very long time before needing replacement.
And they do get a little smoother over time.
The trade off is that this little bit of seal drag protects the cartridge bb that is already deficient in bearings compared to the 3 piece and will allow it to last a very long time before needing replacement.
And they do get a little smoother over time.
07-21-09, 07:28 PM
#5
Great State of Varmint
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Agreed. Such is why I referred to the Octalink that came stock on the Trek 7.5 FX I bought last year as: The ice-cream churn. And the ice-cream had thickened considerable. In terms ease of spinning freely, bottom-brackets go from the easy to the more resistant thus: Square-taped with loose bearings. External-bearings. Cartridge-bearing such as Octalink. This is the usual scenario, but by no means is this cast in granite. There are always exceptions.
07-21-09, 07:32 PM
#6
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Bar none... the smoothest bb I have ever seen.
Only $110.00... 20 years ago.
