Cannondale BB30 bottom bracket

[3narf]

My bottom bracket started making a horrible rattling / clanking noise today. The bike has done less than 1000 miles!

Looking at the L/H end of the BB it looks like a seal has migrated (pics attached). Or should it look like this?

Thx

 

[Yellow Saddle]

No, it shouldn't be like that. But, BB30 is absolute rubbish. Prepare yourself for an endless exercise of replacing bearings. However, don't attempt to get better quality bearings because it isn't the quality that's the problem but the design. You will be better of converting it to Shimano 24mm cranks and BB or even better, square taper.

 

[Milkfloat]

I have BB30A, which is the same as BB30, but just a little wider which means it is harder to convert. You did well to last 1000 miles, within 200 mine were creaking.

Dealer had greased and refitted, but I have already bought the loctite ready for the next time. Cannondale themselves actually recommend loctite now. I have also tracked down some very reasonably priced FSA bearings, which I have stocked up on.

If you want to diy this, you will need, the correct bearing removal tool. A bearing installation kit for BB30 and a bearing press. You can get all that for under £20, with bearings less than a tenner.

 

[derrick]

I fitted one of these to my wifes Cervelo about 6 months ago and 2500 miles later still nice and quiet. Not sure if you can get one for you Cannondale.
http://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-bracket...bottom-brackets/pf30-zero-ceramic-bb-red.html

 

[pclay]

I have ridden 7000 miles on a bb30 bottom bracket, with no maintenance required, and it's still running fine. It's not all doom and gloom.

 

[Pale Rider]

I have ridden 7000 miles on a bb30 bottom bracket, with no maintenance required, and it's still running fine. It's not all doom and gloom.

My local bike shop has had a few Cannondale bb30 bikes come back, but plenty that haven't.

It's a known problem, so it's worth the OP having a word with the dealer.

One of the bike shop's customers got a new frame under warranty, I don't know the ins and outs of that, but the shop/Cannondale may offer some assistance.

 

[Svendo]

FWIW I have a KCNC BB30 24mm converter in my PF30 (Variation of bb30 with added nylon cups) Cannondale so have the cups loctited in, then the adapter (this bit also has the bearings) which screws to itself in the middle, so a bit of self centring and parallelism for the bearings. The adapter then has top hat nylon seal things, and as there were some spacing issues with the supplied 2mm spacer i have a 1mm spacer which was laser cut to order from an ebay supplier. With lubrication liberally applied by the LBS (needs bearing press to fit the cups and two hollow tech 2 tools to install the adapter), I've had some minor creaking but it's settled down and is now quiet. Now on a few thousand miles including some commuting when the cheap bike broke.

 

[fossyant]

Praxis sell an adapter for BB30 to hollowtech.

 

[3narf]

Thanks all! Not sure what I'm going to do yet, it's a s/h bike so doubt the dealer will have anything to do with it.

A

 

[MrGrumpy]

I have ridden 7000 miles on a bb30 bottom bracket, with no maintenance required, and it's still running fine. It's not all doom and gloom.

ditto but that could now be the kiss of death

 

[3narf]

Thanks all.

I had a look yesterday and it seems that the LH bearing is moving with the crank. I'm guessing I need to pull it apart and locktite the bearing in, which is what the dealer would do anyway.

As I've never had a modern bike before (only square taper BBs), what kind of extractor do I need?

A

 

[Milkfloat]

This is the cheapest way.

To remove - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fsa-bb30-bearing-removal-e0019/rp-prod36371
To install - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fsa-bb30-bearing-installation-tool/rp-prod36370
Also to install you will need some kind of bearing press. I use http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Tool-Headset-Press-Headset-Cup-Press-Universal-/231844620176

If you want a more expensive way, then there is a Park Tool extractor and bearing press.

This video gives you the basics

 

[fossyant]

Fit a new bearing as a minimum. You can get specific bearing extractors, but if you've got mechanical know how, and are dead sure of what you are doing, you can tap them out (make sure any retaining circlips - if fitted - are removed).


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoUNL8FDweQ

 

[fossyant]

Cross Post !!!!

 

[3narf]

Thanks. As long as I can find a cross section picture it's well within my capabilities.

Having said that, I might be able to get Cannondale to do it for nothing as it's still in warranty...