Bottom brackets

[139NI]

I have used the same square taper cartridge BB for 5 and a half years.
Today i noticed the BB feeling gritty as it turns. I suppose this is possibly a sign of wear. There is however no sideways play commonly associated with BB wear.

Firstly, should i replace it.
Secondly, should i replace it with another square taper cartridge BB or the new Shimano Hollowtech II outboard BB's. What will i gain from the upgrade?

Cheers

w

 

[I like Skol]

It might be failing but personally if it is only feeling gritty but not rough and sloppy I would give it another few weeks/months just to be sure. The general consensus (and my opinion/experience) is that the Hollowtech system is a bit hit and miss for reliability/longevity and you would need a complete new chainset (£££'s) to swap. For a heck of a lot less cash you can just stick in a super cheap, super reliable Shimano UN55 cartridge BB and forget about it for another 5-10 years. I know what I would do (and as it happens just have done on my full XT MTB rebuild)

 

[ianrauk]

Will, stick to the same BB. As I Like Skol has said you probably have the Shimano UN 55 which are cheap as chips. And knowing the converted tank that you ride. There really is no point of installing a Hollowtech II.
If you haven't got the tools to do the job... I have. So you are more then welcome to pop round.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Another vote for sticking with square taper. Why complicate things?

 

[fossyant]

Stick with it. All 4 of my bikes have square taper (3 are about 20 years old). The MTB tends to eat BB's anyway, but at £15 for a UN55 they really are fit and forget.

I'd replace if gritty or play.

I have a Dura Ace and Ultrgra cartridge BB's in my road bikes - never been changed. I occasionally remove them, check the frame, re-grease the threads and forget about them for years.

My fixed that I run all weathers has a UN54/55 and even with added pressure of the fixed chain setup, it still runs perfect after 5 years !

 

[139NI]

Cheers all. I will stick to square taper. i will try to buy a good one. i dont have a bottomless pit full of money to spend anyway

 

[evo456]

Replaced mine the other week. Rose bikes had Shimano UN55s for £11, see no reason to change. Simple to fit and sealed cartridge is a bonus.