Bottom Bracket Spacer Ring - Disadvantages?
#1
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Bottom Bracket Spacer Ring - Disadvantages?
These things: https://www.bikeparts.com/search_resu...p?ID=BPC108402
So it turns out my chainline is 3mm or so off, the front chainring being closer to the centerline than the rear. I have a Shimano UN73 68x107 BB that's brand new, and I don't think Bikeparts would accept a return on an installed and slightly used BB. And I don't really want to spend $32 on a new one.. so these spacers look nice.
Anyone have any experience with them? Do they work well?
So it turns out my chainline is 3mm or so off, the front chainring being closer to the centerline than the rear. I have a Shimano UN73 68x107 BB that's brand new, and I don't think Bikeparts would accept a return on an installed and slightly used BB. And I don't really want to spend $32 on a new one.. so these spacers look nice.
Anyone have any experience with them? Do they work well?
#4
Biggity-bam
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: West Lafayette IN, Ann Arbor MI
Bikes: Pista Concept, Fetish beater, Fuji road
Yeah that's the only solution you have besides changing bbs, How much spacing difference does flipping the cog make?
What kind of cranks and hub are you using?
What kind of cranks and hub are you using?
#6
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Flipping the cog would run my chain right into the spokes, it's a Formula cartridge.
*new*guy, this is spacing it out.. there would be more clearance (there already is enough).
My friend from AA, it's a Formula Hub with a Euro Asia Imports Cro-Mo cog, my BB is a Shimano UN73 with Bulletproof cranks (dead sexy once you take off the lettering
) and a Dans Comp "Universal Ring", which I guess is similar to a Rocket Ring. I had trouble getting it centered on the spider, and need better chainring bolts, but it seems to be round enough.. many people who complain of rings being out of round just don't have it centered.. but I digress.
So there's little chance that this'll weaken my BB, or make it creak? I tend to think it's compatable because it meets all the criteria, and is made by Shimano..
As a side note, anyone know the quality of the LP28 by Shimano? It's half as cheap as the UN73.. so it probably wouldn't be as good?
*new*guy, this is spacing it out.. there would be more clearance (there already is enough).
My friend from AA, it's a Formula Hub with a Euro Asia Imports Cro-Mo cog, my BB is a Shimano UN73 with Bulletproof cranks (dead sexy once you take off the lettering
) and a Dans Comp "Universal Ring", which I guess is similar to a Rocket Ring. I had trouble getting it centered on the spider, and need better chainring bolts, but it seems to be round enough.. many people who complain of rings being out of round just don't have it centered.. but I digress.So there's little chance that this'll weaken my BB, or make it creak? I tend to think it's compatable because it meets all the criteria, and is made by Shimano..
As a side note, anyone know the quality of the LP28 by Shimano? It's half as cheap as the UN73.. so it probably wouldn't be as good?
#7
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
The only downside is that they can make you pop out of your clipless pedals if you don't adjust them to compensate for the change in position...
That and if you have bad knees, the problem could be aggrivated.
That and if you have bad knees, the problem could be aggrivated.
#8
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
You mean the symmetry of the spindle will be off? Because from the factory it's not symmetrical unless my cranks or pedals compensate for it (haven't measured). Adding the spacer would actually make it closer to perfect symmetry, albeit a little in the other direction.
And I don't know if the symmetry would affect the pedals as much.. what is your reasoning for this?
And I don't know if the symmetry would affect the pedals as much.. what is your reasoning for this?
#9
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Originally Posted by Boss Moniker
*new*guy, this is spacing it out.. there would be more clearance (there already is enough).
#10
Biggity-bam
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: West Lafayette IN, Ann Arbor MI
Bikes: Pista Concept, Fetish beater, Fuji road
A lot of non-symmetrical bbs have an appropriate non-symetricality to the cranks, meaning your q-factor is still evenly spaced. Even if it isn't perfectly centered, it's not that big of a deal, unless you are running a huge gear and racing on it. Then it would cause a bit of stress in your joints and tendons.
Woah Boss, just read some of your blog, definetely brings back some memories for me. Visiting my girlfriends home in Wyoming and traveling around Montana with her family. Plus a few Indiana and Michigan references hahaha.
Woah Boss, just read some of your blog, definetely brings back some memories for me. Visiting my girlfriends home in Wyoming and traveling around Montana with her family. Plus a few Indiana and Michigan references hahaha.
#11
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Yeah, the blog is fun.. kinda burned out after that long chronical, but once I get my life under control I'm gonna keep updating it.
So you're saying that there is some kind of standard non-symetricality to the cranks so that similar points on each pedal are exactly the same distance from the frame centerline? Because my BB and cranks aren't made by the same company.. and then why are there symmetrical and non symmetrical BB spindles?
And yeah, Aeroplane, you're right, but the only thing that comes close to my chainstays is my chainring, which will be spaced out. So I'd be good.
I dunno.. I think I'll measure the symmetry and figure this all out (unless someone positively knows this) before buying anything.. not like I'm going to be riding soon (bloody weather).
So you're saying that there is some kind of standard non-symetricality to the cranks so that similar points on each pedal are exactly the same distance from the frame centerline? Because my BB and cranks aren't made by the same company.. and then why are there symmetrical and non symmetrical BB spindles?
And yeah, Aeroplane, you're right, but the only thing that comes close to my chainstays is my chainring, which will be spaced out. So I'd be good.
I dunno.. I think I'll measure the symmetry and figure this all out (unless someone positively knows this) before buying anything.. not like I'm going to be riding soon (bloody weather).
#12
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Regarding symmetry: I really doubt you'll notice a few mm to one side or the other. And if you do, you can just reposition your cleats on your shoes.
#13
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Yeah, good point.. although lyledriver seemed to have a problem with it.
I just measured, and my non drive pedal is further from center than my drive, by a bit more than what my chainline is off by... which means I'll get closer by adding this spacer (although my drive will go out by the width of the spacer, it'll still be more symmetrical. I really think I'm not spelling this word right). Looks like I'm in the market for a circular piece of metal.
I just measured, and my non drive pedal is further from center than my drive, by a bit more than what my chainline is off by... which means I'll get closer by adding this spacer (although my drive will go out by the width of the spacer, it'll still be more symmetrical. I really think I'm not spelling this word right). Looks like I'm in the market for a circular piece of metal.
#14
Biggity-bam
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: West Lafayette IN, Ann Arbor MI
Bikes: Pista Concept, Fetish beater, Fuji road
Let us know if the spacer works out for you. I just looked through my stuff, and if you find you need to go even wider, I have a 115mm un53 with a metal cup to replace the plastic one they come with. If the spacer doesn't work out just let me know and I'll send it to you.
#15
D=RxT
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
3mm is pushing it. Most likelly it'll work but with less support on the left side I think creaking could be an issue. Also be careful with the plastic cup threading it into the frame further than intended can cause it to crack.
LP28=crap.
LP28=crap.
#16
Thread Starter
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Thanks for the offer, fellow Arborite.. 115 might be to big, but I'll have to measure it again (this time better) to be sure.
And yeah, my UN73 doesn't have a plastic cup. So no worries there.
And yeah, my UN73 doesn't have a plastic cup. So no worries there.
#17
.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Boss Moniker
So you're saying that there is some kind of standard non-symetricality to the cranks so that similar points on each pedal are exactly the same distance from the frame centerline? Because my BB and cranks aren't made by the same company.. and then why are there symmetrical and non symmetrical BB spindles?





