Stiff bottom bracket
#1
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stiff bottom bracket
hi all,
Put my new frame together today and the bottom bracket is quite stiff. It's a Shimano R700 crankset and I used the bottom bracket that came with it. It turns ok, but doesn't spin freely and seems like it has a little resistance to it.
Could it be that the grease is just a little dried out and will loosen with use?
Thanks
Put my new frame together today and the bottom bracket is quite stiff. It's a Shimano R700 crankset and I used the bottom bracket that came with it. It turns ok, but doesn't spin freely and seems like it has a little resistance to it.
Could it be that the grease is just a little dried out and will loosen with use?
Thanks
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
#2
Banned
New Parts?
You may not notice it after a few weeks of riding on it, some seal friction likely ..
lever of the crank is long..
You may not notice it after a few weeks of riding on it, some seal friction likely ..
lever of the crank is long..
#3
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, picked it up from a trusted vendor that I do business with.
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
#4
Mechanic/Tourist
No way to tell remotely what you mean by "it doesn't spin freely" but some resistance is to be expected on a new BB. If it does not feel outright rough and rotates with even resistance I would not worry about it. All bearings run better when broken in with some miles, as long as they are kept adjusted.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right where I'm supposed to be
Posts: 1,630
Bikes: Franklin Frames Custom, Rivendell Bombadil
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 115 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
126 Posts
Bottom brackets these days are nothing like ye old days of cups and cones where you could spin the cranks with ease. With all the seals these days, they won't spin so freely. What matters is how they spin under load, and as long as that's fine there's no worry.
#6
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It spins and it's even. I've just never had one that was as stiff as this one. These are the outboard cup model so there is no adjustment. I'll put some miles on it and see how it goes. Worse case is I change them with the some known good one's that I have.
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
#7
٩๏̯͡๏)۶
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 502
Bikes: 2010 Giant Filter 1. 07/08 Apollo Independent.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Outboard, or external bearing BBs, do tend to be a bit stiffer than conventional BBs. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
#8
17yrold in 64yrold body
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you can fit a thin (.o12 or so) feeler gauge between your BB cup and BB shell, you MAY not have the cup completely tight. If a feeler gauge will NOT fit in between, then it is probably seal friction at work.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New Milford CT
Posts: 143
Bikes: Soma Stanyan, Giant Roam, Pace 500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Did you have the bottom bracket faced? If the cups are not dead parallel the axle will not spin freely.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New Milford CT
Posts: 143
Bikes: Soma Stanyan, Giant Roam, Pace 500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And coaxial with each other. Bottom line is to get the BB chased and faced to make sure the cups are properly positioned.
#12
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
well, I figured out my issue. It was my stupidity... Nothing wrong with the bottom bracket or shell. The cable guide under the bottom bracket had a bolt that was too long....... Removed that, cut it, reinstalled, worked fine... Live and learn.
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
toosahn
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
5
07-17-11 12:42 PM
akansaskid
Bicycle Mechanics
18
02-25-11 10:51 PM