How Long Should a Bottom Bracket Last
06-21-11, 05:35 AM
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How Long Should a Bottom Bracket Last
The bottom bracket (bb) on my bike seems to be going bad. It grinds, clicks, and pops intermittently, but is getting progressively worse. It's getting to the point that I though the chain was rubbing on the front drailer the other day, but it was the bb grinding. The bb is a Shimano 105-5700. I've put approximately 2k miles on it.
How long should a bb realistically last?
How long should a bb realistically last?
06-21-11, 06:31 AM
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jbholcom, Generally a BB will last many Ks of miles more than you've ridden. The Hollowtech II is a little more complicated in that instead of one cartridge bearing assembly there are three seperate parts (assemblies). You'll need to remove the crankset and both BB halves to determine what the issue is. Good news is that a set of cups are less than $30US.
Brad
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Last edited by bradtx; 06-21-11 at 06:45 AM. Reason: sp
06-21-11, 06:38 AM
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My Campy Record BB from 1967 has over 50,000 miles on it and would still be going except that I rarely ride that bike anymore. With decent care, meaning being kept adjusted (if possible) and being cleaned and regreased every few thousand miles (I serviced mine annually which was about 5,000 miles) a bottom bracket should last at least 10,000 miles, hopefully much more.
Reasonably good care is key, but you don't have to obsess over it, unless you mountain bike in harsh conditions.
2,000 miles to failure is extremely low even for a fairly low end bottom bracket.
Reasonably good care is key, but you don't have to obsess over it, unless you mountain bike in harsh conditions.
2,000 miles to failure is extremely low even for a fairly low end bottom bracket.
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06-21-11, 07:38 AM
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The bottom bracket (bb) on my bike seems to be going bad. It grinds, clicks, and pops intermittently, but is getting progressively worse. It's getting to the point that I though the chain was rubbing on the front drailer the other day, but it was the bb grinding. The bb is a Shimano 105-5700. I've put approximately 2k miles on it.
How long should a bb realistically last?
How long should a bb realistically last?
I don't think your problem is with the bearings, however. Check the tightness of the cups. They can creak and groan horribly if they are loose.
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
06-21-11, 08:13 AM
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06-21-11, 10:08 AM
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Did you have the BB shell faced at some point? Facing makes the two sides parallel to each other. If they're not, then the two sets of bearings will not be parallel, and they may wear unevenly and more quickly.
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