Selecting BB for SRAM - what models
 

I have a road bike with a Truvative triple.Windsor Knight from BD. Bike is about 8 mo. old and there is play on the drive side bearing. Not an uncommon experience with gxp bb, so I’m in the market.

While I’m on Social Security and price sensitive, it will be more cost effective to replace the bottom bracket with a higher quality rather than multiple . Chris King is of course beyond reproach, but I am seriously considering Hope.

I am looking at the wiggle web site and see that there are 68, 68/73, and road models available. What is the difference and how do I choose? At this point, I am assuming that I have a garden variety English bb and I know that an adapter is needed with sram.

There also are a variety of sram bb at various price points. Are they with considering vs. an extra $40 for the hope bb which is can be rebuilt.

The BB shell of the frame has a width, Measure what You have on your bike frame.

68 and 73 are 2 of the possible widths only if it were made in Italy would it be anything but those 2.

Is there a difference between mtb and road models for the gxp bb?

Look at their website first then get back to this Forum..

the website should show something.. to answer your question.

68 mm English threads is what you have. You can use any GXP bottom bracket. Don't use the spacers provided. I am a little surprised to hear yours are sloppy after eight months. My two GXP bottom brackets have held up very well. One is used for daily commuting, rain or shine, the second is my winter bike and it is fine. I would take it apart first, clean it up regrease and reinstall and see how that is.

Would I spring for a Hope bottom bracket, not if money were an issue. The Truvativ or SRAM work just fine, at least for me.

Also have at least one other person confirm what I said. There is always the possibility I am mistaken.

I took bike into LBS. My understanding is that there was a spacer missing between the crank and the bb. This allowed the crank to move to the right and fall off a machined step and allow play. While this seems like there is not enough engagement in the step if this is true, it fixed the problem. Maybe the next time I take the bb apart, I'll check this out. Of course the problem is that the bb doesn't get torn apart for maintenance like a loose bearing would.

LBS is doing it wrong or does not understand how the crank/bb works

GXP bottom brackets have dust covers on both sides. The drive side has a plastic cover that slides into the ID of the drive side bearing and acts as a shim between the bearing and spindle. If this is broken or missing, the drive side will have play as if the bearing is worn. The non-drive side has a cover/spacer with the spline pattern cut into the center. If this cover is missing, the spindle will have side play no matter how tight you tighten the fixing bolt.