Traditional BBs - what a ballache!

[Globalti]

Took the old Royce square taper Ti BB out of my Global MTB last night and was shocked at the mess I found. Muddy water gets down the seat tube because the post has two flats on it and despite the BB shell having a big drain hole the whole BB was filthy and the ali sleeve oxidised, as well as the sealed bearings being completely knackered.

But worse was the sheer hassle of having to pull off the cranks then unscrew the lockrings - after working out which way to unscrew them - then get the cups out and dismantle everything and clean it up. By contrast the Hollowtech crankset I fitted recently to my old Harry Hall was staggeringly easy to fit and took only a few minutes. In use I could tell that it was noticeably stiffer than the old traditional crankset it replaced. So I have just called Craig at the very excellent Ride-On in Rawtenstall who sells Global bikes and he recommended a Shimano SLX crankset with BB that he says he will fit for £100. Sounds good enough to me!

...anybody want an old Royce Ti BB (with new bearings fitted) and Middleburn MTB triple crankset with good rings?

 

[dan_bo]

how much?

 

[jimboalee]

No. I've got a Stronglight axle in Tange cups.

 

[Globalti]

how much?

Honestly I really don't know. I was going to Eblag them, Can I get back to you in a day or two? The cranks are well worn by heel rub, even the Middleburn logo has worn out and it was deeply stamped into the surface. But the rings are not much used and the tapers OK. I can email some pics if you're interested.

 

[gwhite]

All true RR, but I've yet to find BB with less resistance than a traditional type, and that includes Octolink and external bearings types.

 

[Fab Foodie]

All true RR, but I've yet to find BB with less resistance than a traditional type, and that includes Octolink and external bearings types.

Not just me noticed that then.
I find all 'sealed bearings' to have higher resistance than trad ball-bearings and cups when testing with fingers but I have no idea whether this translates directly onto the road.

The old style BB's aren't too bad, like evert=ything, takes practice. Recall stripping mine by the side of the A217 at around midnight in the rain to replace a broken ball bearing, recall it was easy enough!

 

[dan_bo]

Honestly I really don't know. I was going to Eblag them, Can I get back to you in a day or two? The cranks are well worn by heel rub, even the Middleburn logo has worn out and it was deeply stamped into the surface. But the rings are not much used and the tapers OK. I can email some pics if you're interested.

Whatever. let's haggle bro.

 

[02GF74]

surely the seals must drag a bit, I can't imagine it make that much difference when pedalling?

 

[Globalti]

Absolutely not a bit of difference.

Does anybody know if that 9 speed SLX crankset will work OK with my 8 speed chain?

Dan Bo, I'll contact you next week matey once I've done the deed.

 

[dan_bo]

Does anybody know if that 9 speed SLX crankset will work OK with my 8 speed chain?


Should do-just narrower chainrings innit? My 10 speed chainset works across a nine speed cassette.

 

[fossyant]

Why don't you just get cartridge square taper BB - made that move as soon as they came on the market many years ago. The Dura Ace/XTR and Ultegra ones have never been touched, other than removed to check for water (none) and threads re-greased and fitted.

 

[fossyant]

Does anybody know if that 9 speed SLX crankset will work OK with my 8 speed chain?


Should do-just narrower chainrings innit? My 10 speed chainset works across a nine speed cassette.

Should do, but you may get a little rub when on the smaller rings - be minimal though.

 

[Globalti]

Why don't you just get cartridge square taper BB - made that move as soon as they came on the market many years ago. The Dura Ace/XTR and Ultegra ones have never been touched, other than removed to check for water (none) and threads re-greased and fitted.

No, I want to go compact Hollowtech. As I wrote, I did this on my 1990 Harry Hall and was amazed at the improvement in stiffness as well as the ease of fitting.

 

[jpembroke]

I've got cartridge square taper (campag) on the road bike, Hollowtech II on the 'cross bike, and octalink on the MTB. Square taper is easily the smoothest and most durable. External BBs only seem to do a few hundred miles before they start creaking and grinding.