urbanrider727

Looking to replace the bottom bracket on my '12 Giant Escape 2. Does anyone know the specs on it? The Giant website just states it's a sealed cartridge (not very specific). Any recommendations for good bottom brackets would also be very appreciated as well. Need both stability (bomb proof) and performance. Thanks for reading.

Dunbar

Unless you're going to be replacing it yourself just take it to a shop. Square taper bottom brackets are like $20-25 retail. You typically need to remove the old one to find out what width it is. The basic Shimano square taper bottom brackets are very good.

urbanrider727

I was planning on putting something a little more high end on it. Something that can withstand heavy city riding. I might actually wait and replace the crank set and pedals all in one shot. That leads me to another question. What is the benefit of upgrading the crankset? Besides better durability what are the performance enhancements that it offers?

Thanks

pierce

my cheap aluminum triple is a lot quieter than the cheap steel triple it replaced. its also a lot ligther.

old crank:


new crank:



the steel triple is more durable and rugged, more likely to survive getting bashed into a rock or a curb.

pamchenko

i have a 2012 escape 2 in nyc and feel my BB is giving out...there have been funny noises coming from that area that come and go...i'm sure I'm gonna need it replaced as well....did u swap out your stock tires on your escape yet?

urbanrider727

I'm about to put an infinity armadillo reflect 700/35 on the rear tire and a conti gator hard shell 700/32 on the front.

If you do replace your BB if you could let me know the sizing and specs so I can order one online when I do replace it, it would be much appreciated.

I'm about to put an X5 rear derailer on to replace my bent X4 from a spill I took in December. I gotta to see how the X4 is though, I haven't ridden since the accident (broken wrist and forearm).

urbanrider727

Is that why upgraded to the steel? For durability?

giantcfr1

How can your BB be giving out so quickly? Maybe it just needs tightening. You could try taking your seat post out, and shining a torch down the head tube to see the code. I can see mine that way.

Dunbar

The Shimano UN54 is supposed to be a very durable square taper bottom bracket and costs $20-25. I don't have any suggestions for more expensive ones but I'm sure they exist. I don't think there's any way to know the width of your (old) bottom bracket until you take it out. If you guess wrong than you could mess up your chainline.

Burton

+1

Plenty bombproof for commuting.

pierce

the ones I've been installing say they are UN55, and have the metal lock ring, which I install with a good coat of grease.

pierce

no, I got rid of steel stock tourney cranks, and replaced them with an alloy origin-8 trekking crankset. main reasons were: quiet, weight, looks.

48-38-28 tooth, which works very nicely with the 13-26 HG50 8-speed in the back.

Jimbosays

My 2012 Giant Escape 2 started making a 'clicking' noise during the right side power stroke recently.

Took it to the LBS today and their initial diagnosis is a bad bottom bracket.

Hmmm . . . It seems this is pretty early issue for a bike that is only adult (50's) ridden a couple hundred miles a month always on MUP's and residential streets.

otter22

Not to second guess the LBS, but I had the same problem (ticking sound on right power stroke with medium to hard power) and it was caused by my 200+ lb weight causing slight flexing in rings in BB threads (Shimano UN54). Solved by removing rings and using teflon plumbers tape on threads before reinstalling and making sure they were good and tight. If the LBS insists it is a bad BB, make sure to tell them you want to see the old unit when they replace it, and you would like to have them show you where and how it is broken. Legit repair won't mind doing this at all. If they are resistant to or insulted by this suggestion, I would get a second opinion from another shop.

Jimbosays

Unfortunately, my LBS took the money and ran (twice) without remedying the issue (or even acknowledging such before I left their shop with the bike each time) . . . Which turned out to be bad roller bearings in the right-side pedal. New pedals have arrived from Amazon and everything is quiet & smooth once again!

I don't know why I even returned there after the manner I was generally treated (or rather ignored as the only shopping customer in the store) during the early days of my bike shopping in the winter of 2012. Yeah, I am big man, but also a big man WITH cash who was ready to spend it on a bike (and have purchased two since then!) Never mind the shop is a mile from home, I'll never return for any purchases or service.

Obviously these statements are a personal opinion, but should you care the know, the shop is:

Bike Works Metrowest (Orlando, FL)
2445 S Hiawassee Rd.
Orlando, FL 32835