hi, i am pretty new to cycling with limited knowledge in the bicycles. The most confusing part is the BB, even I have googled it! Hope someone can let me know.

I need to change the crankset (from 175mm to 170mm). How can i tell if I have BB30 or GXP or whatever (how many types are out there?)

Does all road bike BB compatible with either type?

Please advise or direct to previously discussed thread. Thanks.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

If you're just changing the cranks, no need to change the BB.
Unless you're switching to a different brand/model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYo8Ta8SBxE

There are a bunch of different and incompatible bottom bracket designs currently in use and at least four types of bottom bracket shell threading (English, Italian, French and Swiss) with English being by far the most common these days. Those are accompanied by various press-fit unthreaded shell designs.

A few bottom bracket designs are:

Cup and cone square taper (two configurations, ISO and JIS)
Cartridge type square taper (two configurations ISO and JIS)
Hollow spindle splined types (Octalink and ISIS)
External bearing in several types, some are but most are not compatible.
Several press in bearing designs including BB30, BB89, and others.

All clear? Next step is to see your closest bike shop to identify what you have and what works with it.

Thanks People. I have Tarmac with FSA 175mm Crankset and SRAM Red Gears. I need to change to 170mm compact. I like the Campy Super Record, can it fit?

is your current 'fsa' (thats a company, they make 100s of products) a compact double, a conventional double, or a triple? what model FSA ?

I would go on the assumption you'll probably need a new BB to go with the new crank, unless its identical to your current one except the arm length. most newer high end cranks have integrated axles now, and the BB is practically part of the crank.

FSA Team Issue.

Now, the super record 11 speed but my Red gear is only 10 spd, can it work?

Typically, can you cross brand/model? Using A brand Crank, B Brand Derailleur, C Brand brakes, D Model Chain, E Model Cassette?

Sometimes

7/8 speed stuff was pretty much all cross compatible. it got a little more complex at 9 sp, and yet again at 10sp, and I dunno squat about 11sp.

brakes have to be compatible with the brake levers, there are two general classes, short and long pull. road bike 'caliber' brakes are all 'short pull', as are traditional cantilever brakes. v-brakes, and most mechanical disk brakes are 'long pull'.

chains are all compatile within a given width. 5/6/7/8 used the 'classic' width. 9 was a hair narrower, 10 quite a bit narrower, I dunno 11.

cranksets don't care what derailleurs you run as long as its the right number of gears, and its suitable for the gearing range (you can't use a short arm rear road derailleur with monster wide trekking or mountain gearing).

cranksets DO care about the bottom bracket, quite a lot. there's a dozen different incompatible BB types in recent years,a nd you HAVE to use the right type. frames now come with several different sorts of press-in BB fits now, too, which is another complication. not counting really old bikes, nearly everything in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s used the 'british standard 68mm' BB shell size, now thats exploded to a pile of different poo.

derailleurs are quite picky about the indexed shifters. 7/8 stuff was all pretty much compatible, 9 was with other 9, but sram and shimano 10 speed is different, as is campangolo, who has all kinda their own variances.

so, no, its not that simple.

The most common mid-high end bikes these days use what are called external bearing cranks. On your basic question of compatibility, the answer is no; while there be a few exceptions, there are even differences with different cranks of the same manufacturer. If you plan on changing your crank, plan on buying a new bottom bracket also. Here is the Park site that discusses the different makes and how they are R&R..https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...o-ultra-torque

Hmm, FSA Team Issues come with several different BB mount types. indeed, thats a modern '2 piece' crankset, where the axle is permanently attached to the drive side crank, so the "BB" is really just the bearings.

I just browsed over some Specialized Tarmac 2013 models, the ones I looked at all used various FSA Gossamer cranksets, with BB30 bottom brackets. Assuming your Tarmac follows this, whatever crank+BB you get has to be compatible with BB30. I browsed some (randomly) 2010-2012 models, they mostly used Shimano cranks. so you'll need to be more specific about your bike too.

I'd have to See it.

I have 3 bikes. 2 look about the same and the black one looks different. The black bike is the one i need to change. Thanks

You can go back to the manufacturer's website and they should have the Specification
of what parts they chose in the Build up .. year and model ..

my black bike is different from your black bike. Mine is Not Carbon Fiber.

Again, you don't seem to know enough to even ask the correct questions. Take your bike to a good bike shop and ask about what will fit and see if what you want is suitable.

The Super Record you seem so interested in is Campagnolo's top line and most expensive crank but it uses a unique botttom bracket and fixing method. And, no you can't just mix-and-match components across all manufacturers' lines. In many cases you can't even mix-and-match throughout even one maker's product line.

I was thinking of going to shop but i want to learn it myself rather than relying on the shop all the time. I ask too many question in the shop, they tend not to answer cause that is how they make their living.

Campy Crank, around $180 on eBay or I see the wrong one?

I do my own cleaning, adjustment, wheel tuning/truing, chain adjustment, and etc but just couldn't figure out BB. BTW, english is my 3rd language so some times i get lost.

Thank you.

Your English is fine. As to an 11-speed Super Record crank for $180, it's either very used or mis-quoted. It is likely to be a much earlier pre-11-speed model. I recommended a visit to the bike shop to get what you need straight. You don't have to go back!

Thanks. I will bring to the shop as last resort. As of now, I will try my best to work on it myself, beside saving $ (if i do it correctly) i get to learn. Anything, i took it apart and i am pretty confident it's BB30.

If you post a picture of the BB without the crank in it that might help, someone may be able to tell you what it is.