Does Anyone Know to get into my Bottom.....

[threebikesmcginty]

.....bracket?

My fixed gear bike sounds a bit creaky at the moment and I'm convinced it's coming from the bottom bracket. This is one area of the bike I'm unfamiliar with. Is it worth taking it off for a good greasing or just drip feeding it 3-in-1 whilst it's still on the bike?

I've got a frame build to do anyway so this sort of general info would be welcome - I see there are BB tools, any recommendations on these too?

TIA

3BM

 

[spandex]

What BB do you have?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Not really sure spandex - the spec describes it as cartridge, any good?

 

[Dayvo]

Easy peasy!

http://bicycletutor.com/bottom-bracket/

 

[threebikesmcginty]

thanks - I'll be up my own BB this very weekend!!

 

[kyuss]

Easy peasy!

http://bicycletutor.com/bottom-bracket/

That'll be of no use if it's a cartridge BB. Neither will dripping oil into it, they aren't serviceable as such. It could be that it's just ever so slightly loose though, which might be causing the creaking. This happened on mine from time to time until I removed it, wrapped the threads in PTFE tape and done it up proper tight.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

That'll be of no use if it's a cartridge BB. Neither will dripping oil into it, they aren't serviceable as such. It could be that it's just ever so slightly loose though, which might be causing the creaking. This happened on mine from time to time until I removed it, wrapped the threads in PTFE tape and done it up proper tight.

Wasn't a Giant Bowery was it Kyuss?

 

[byegad]

BUT don't use 3 in 1! It tends to leave a sticky residue. Grease is better.

 

[kyuss]

Wasn't a Giant Bowery was it Kyuss?

It is indeed. I guess you've got the same.

If so you'll need a crank puller and a Shimano BB tool if you don't already have them. Just keep in mind the drive side BB cup unscrews the opposite way to what you'd expect. Full instructions can be found on the Park Tools site

Something else to try before taking your BB out is to make sure the chainring bolts are tight. It's pretty easy for them to work loose especially on a fixed and can cause a bit of creaking.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

It is indeed. I guess you've got the same.

If so you'll need a crank puller and a Shimano BB tool if you don't already have them. Just keep in mind the drive side BB cup unscrews the opposite way to what you'd expect. Full instructions can be found on the Park Tools site

Something else to try before taking your BB out is to make sure the chainring bolts are tight. It's pretty easy for them to work loose especially on a fixed and can cause a bit of creaking.

Great stuff - Thanks Kyuss, appreciate the heads up!

 

[02GF74]

catridge bottom bracket cannot be taken apart and have seals menaing nothjhing can get in but if it does get in e.g. water, then it cannot get out again. i.e. you will not be able to oil or grease it.

check that the cranks are on tight as these, if loose, can cause similar noise.

 

[spandex]

But 02GF74 what you can do is drill a hole in the BB and pump grease in (it works) as long as you leave a grease cap nothing will get in. If it was me though I would just change it and have done with it.