New Shimano cranks and bottom bracket - not free as a bird?

[DSK]

I had a new shimano Bb71 bottom bracket and ultegra groupset fitted yesterday. When the BB and cranks were installed, they didn’t spin anywhere near as freely as the old stuff we took off. Installation was done using a press in kit so no boDges.

The specialist I use advised that it’s probably due to it being new and packed with grease and it should loosen up over time. Operation however seems smooth and free of any rough or grinding feeling. But something doesn’t seem right to me as any new parts should spin easily imo.

any ideas if anything simple can be checked/adjusted before I consider buying a fancy metal bottom bracket like Hope/token/Hambini?

 

[Cycleops]

This is the pressfit Hollowtech isn’t it? Should be very free running. If smooth now I’m sure it’ll be fine.

 

[DSK]

Yes it’s a press fit Bb71.
Ultegra r8000 cranks hollow tech 2. At installation the specialist did use a torque wrench for the crank bolts (and else where around the bike) so I’m sure that stuff was fitted right and not over tightened etc.

just seems odd the new cranks don’t just keep spinning like the old ones.

 

[DSK]

If it should loosen up, is there any indication of rough mileage as to when it will start to loosen?

 

[Cycleops]

Never had any problems with my Hollowtech installation with the threaded BB. Did you use any the plastic spacers?

 

[davidphilips]

Very hard to judge without actually seeing it, but if it spins a few times without stopping then should be great but if the crank feels tight or stops spinning straight away then perhaps either crank arm fixing bolt is to tight or some thing wrong. But if a specialist fitted the bottom bracket/chainset and did not see any thing wrong then chances are its fitted right and nothing wrong with it? It should be at least as good as on a new bike if not better being fitted by a professional.

 

[jamin100]

I installed a hollowtech threaded ultegra BB and ultegra crank a few weeks back and had exactly the same experience as you..

I was told, they will get better after a few rides and sure enough I think they have. I only noticed the lack of free spinning whilst in the stand. Whilst riding it seems fine and i've only put about 60 miles into them so far.

 

[DSK]

Never had any problems with my Hollowtech installation with the threaded BB. Did you use any the plastic spacers?

it’s a press fit, didn’t see anything in the box other that the press fit bb itself. Fitted with a press tool.

 

[Cycleops]

Probably irrelevant to your installation but I had some black plastic spacers which you can see here to help with. axle width.

 

[DSK]

I installed a hollowtech threaded ultegra BB and ultegra crank a few weeks back and had exactly the same experience as you..

I was told, they will get better after a few rides and sure enough I think they have. I only noticed the lack of free spinning whilst in the stand. Whilst riding it seems fine and i've only put about 60 miles into them so far.

my issues sounds identical. Move and feel smooth but on the stand they spin a revolution when rotated.

I will get some miles in and see what happens!

 

[rogerzilla]

Anything with sealed bearings usually takes a few miles to free up. Even traditional cup-and-cone BBs, if they have rubber lip seals, can be a bit draggy to start with.

 

[jamin100]

my issues sounds identical. Move and feel smooth but on the stand they spin a revolution when rotated.

I will get some miles in and see what happens!

Yeh, I maybe got 2 full revolutions when spinning the cranks in the stand with no chain on.
I've not taken the chain off since to check, but i'd guess that they will loosen up quite quickly like mine has..

I asked the same question as you

 

[boydj]

I've said this before. When my Speedplay pedals spin freely, I know it's time for a little injection of grease. After that the grease stops the free spinning, but doesn't affect them when pedalling. If you take the cranks off, you'll find that there's generous lubrication in the bottom bracket and it will loosen up a bit with use. It's definitely not a problem.

 

[DSK]

Ok thank you for advising and sharing your knowledge. I’ll just get some mileage covered and see how u get on.

 

[Cycleops]

Just to throw a crankset in the works my new Hollowtech was smooth and free running from the off. I think it may just be down to manufacturing tolerances. I have had the same issue with pedal which usually free off after a bit of use.