I just received a sram s300 crankset. I haven't begun installation yet because I'm A) waiting on new pedals, and B) haven't yet got the proper bottom bracket tools to remove the old one, or install the new.

I did check out the instructions, and they say to use 2x2.5mm spacers for the GXP bottom bracket if you have a 68mm BB shell (Which, I'm 99% I do. I ride a motobecane messenger, and if anyone can confirm or deny, that would be awesome)

Unless they're hidden somewhere, or I'm missing something, the spacers are not included, right?

For anyone with these cranks or BB, are the spacers necessary for optimum chainline, or can they be ignored with minimal consequence?

thanks.

The spacers should come with the BB. I just got a raceface BB that has the same instructions and it came with 3 of them spacers.

On my T1 you only can use one spacer on non drive side if you want a 42.5 chainline. Velodrome q-factor is not a big deal on the non drive side. In summation, you should not use the spacers at all for the BB, just the thin 1mm spacers on the non drive side (possibly two) that will ensure no drag and no excess play after the single sided arm bolt is bottomed out.

https://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/...xp-05-r5-e.pdf

weird. I liked the old-school sram/truvative instructions that had tables for every-which-way you could install your stuff. the new instructions are very once-size-fits-all, and don't mention specific spacings for specific applications.

furthermore, this is the 2009, or maybe 2010 model. so who knows if they've made little tweaks.

edit: Oh, and idk if you recieved your bottom bracket and cranks separate, but mine was bundled from an ebay dealer. very reputable, but i could see if they were originally packaged separately how one might forget the spacers. maybe that's the issue? during business hours, should I give them a call and ask em to ship me some spacers?

ultimately, I won't know until I put em on, but in the meantime it's a pain going from thinking "sweet, everything is ready to go!" to thinking "oh, I'll have to fiddle with things before I know they're perfect or not"

In the link I posted, on the left it specifically says ss/track with no spacers. My bike came with this style of crank stock and no spacers.

I gotcha, but seeing that those pdf's are from 2005 I'm just a bit anxious. In 5 years it's certainly within the realm of possibility they could have adjusted their product here or there by a mm or two.

If I do need to get spacers, it's no big deal, but I wish it were 100% crystal clear (on the new instructions) exactly what I'll need, especially if I should have recieved everything I'd need anyway. Just a pet peeve - See the edit above.

I'd rather have everything lined up and ready to go, instead of the possibility of having to tinker with things to get it right. (I have clipless pedals and shoes coming monday, and I'd like to have everything in perfectly smooth running order by then )

Nothing has changed. 0 spacers on a GXP BBs for 68mm bb and a track/SS chainline.

OK, Doc, I'm going to hold you to that...

otherwise, excellent. Hopefully after monday, and some mileage I'll have reviews or comments on the new gear and can make myself useful.

thanks!

both my omniums and s300 single speed did not come with spacers and as far as i know for track/ss you dont need them... I also dont use the plastic cup inside either, probably doing it wrong by not having it... well I have it in my omniums...

The sleeve inside is to keep dust and water out. If you have dust and water in your BB something is wrong. Use if you think it's necessary.

Also one thing to mention is that with these cranks you usually have to run the chainring on the inside of the spider for proper chain alignment. Seems odd but that's just how it is.