Bottom bracket replacement noob

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Macd Ryabko

New Member
Hi,

I have a carrera crossfire 1 with damaged bottom brackets (keeps skipping on pedal pressure). I want to change the bottom brackets myself. I'm not too sure how to proceed.
I am assuming the bike has square taper bottom bracket. Can you give me a little information on tools I need and maybe replacement bottom bracket options I can buy.
I have bought a crank puller/bottom bracket remover (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROAD-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-BICYCLE-Cycling-MTB-CRANK-PULLER-REMOVER-EXTRACTOR-TOOL-SET-/400577762535?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_BikeLocks_SR&hash=item5d444b94e7)

Thank you
 

raindog

er.....
Location
France
I have a carrera crossfire 1 with damaged bottom brackets (keeps skipping on pedal pressure).
Depends what you mean by "skipping", but that sounds more like a chain/cassette/derailleur problem.
 

compo

Veteran
Location
Harlow
As Raindog says skipping and slipping doesn't sound like bottom bracket. How old is the bike and what sort of mileage have you on the chain and cassette. If not too old I would fit a new chain and see how it goes, although it may well be you will need to replace the cassette as well.
 

Paulus

Started young, and still going.
Location
Barnet,
Agree with the above, it will be either the chain skipping over the rear cassette, which will be a simple cable adjustment or indexing adjustment, or, the chain skipping over the chainrings. it could also be that the chain/chainrings/cassette are worn and one or the other need replacing. When the bottom bracket is buggered the cranks will be moving around and will sound like there is gravel in the BB.
 

evo456

Über Member
Couple of things to check, before replacing your bb. I did it recently on my crossfire.

  • Check chain for kinks and stiff links
  • Check rear cassette if the tooths have gone pointy and sharp.
  • Do the same with front chain ring, mine was very worn on the most used ring.
  • Gears index properly- smooth changes. If not cable tension needs adjusting.
I took the opportunity to do an over haul, as all my components are well worn after 2000 miles of mud and grit. Rear cassette, crank set, chain and new bb, 50 squids all in.
 

DragonNate

New Member
Couple of things to check, before replacing your bb. I did it recently on my crossfire.

  • Check chain for kinks and stiff links
  • Check rear cassette if the tooths have gone pointy and sharp.
  • Do the same with front chain ring, mine was very worn on the most used ring.
  • Gears index properly- smooth changes. If not cable tension needs adjusting.
I took the opportunity to do an over haul, as all my components are well worn after 2000 miles of mud and grit. Rear cassette, crank set, chain and new bb, 50 squids all in.
Could I ask where you got the parts from and part descriptions. As my front gears are bent which has also bent my chain, and halfords are not the brightest employs and have not been very helpful at all. Thank you for your time.
 
To bend a cycle chain, your front gear set must be very badly bent as even when new chain have quite a bit of sidewards flexibility. I can understand now why your chain is jumping off. you must have done something really excessive to bend the front gears. I am minded have you checked to see if the chain set locking screws are still screwed up tight, as if then have slackened off the gears could well be out of line..
 
Is it coincidence that your post is identical to THIS one on Bike Radar from November 2013?

Or is it a straight case of plagiarism? ;)

As for tools and how to do to there are loads of videos on YouTube, this was just the first one that came up.



I have to agree with the other posters though, and also with the first reply on Bike Radar, and that is to say BB's don't skip.
 

DragonNate

New Member
To bend a cycle chain, your front gear set must be very badly bent as even when new chain have quite a bit of sidewards flexibility. I can understand now why your chain is jumping off. you must have done something really excessive to bend the front gears. I am minded have you checked to see if the chain set locking screws are still screwed up tight, as if then have slackened off the gears could well be out of line..
I bought the bike on Friday and only noticed when I went for a good ride. The rings look bowed and causing the chain to snake around. Have made a few adjustments and is a little better but would like to replace the ring set but unsure what I need. I know it's 170 mm and the teeth are 48/38/28. Could I replace with any set? Cheers
 

evo456

Über Member
Could I ask where you got the parts from and part descriptions. As my front gears are bent which has also bent my chain, and halfords are not the brightest employs and have not been very helpful at all. Thank you for your time.

All sorts- from Amazon and Rose Bikes, whatever worked out cheaper and easier to get hold of. The crankset from Rose was a stroke of good timing.... £13 , shop about if you're not interested in the high level group sets- Tourney/Altus/Alivio. Here's a shopping list:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tou...=1408294198&sr=1-5&keywords=chainset+48-38-28
http://www.amazon.co.uk/KMC-Speed-C...=1408294365&sr=1-2&keywords=kmc+7+speed+chain
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tou...F8&qid=undefined&sr=1-3&keywords=shimano+tz21
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-BBU...408294517&sr=1-1&keywords=un55+bottom+bracket
 
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