Will this fit?

[Jon2]

I'm working on building my first bike, and want some information about whether these parts would work together. i haven't done anything with headsets or bottom brackets before, so I've done a lot of reading for it. When this frame is bought as part of a complete frame, the headset used is the one below. Am i right in thinking that i can only use semi-intergrated headsets?

Frame Cube attention 17.5"
Forks Rock Shox Tora SL Forks - Polploc 2010
Headset FSA No.10 semi-integrated
Stem FSA XC-190
Bars FSA XC-190LX XC Riser Bar

Also, will this fit?
Shimano M552 Chainset 10 Speed - " features an external bottom bracket system" This also doesn't say how big the bottom bracket is.

I've had trouble finding the diameters of the headtube and bottom bracket shell for the frame, so if anyone does know, it would be helpful.

 

[PpPete]

ar

Also, will this fit?
Shimano M552 Chainset 10 Speed - " features an external bottom bracket system" This also doesn't say how big the bottom bracket is.

I've had trouble finding the diameters of the headtube and bottom bracket shell for the frame, so if anyone does know, it would be helpful.

External BB's don't have sizes. Just make sure you get the right threading. Almost certainly "English thread" in this case.

However, as this frame was designed for a cartridge BB rather than an external BB the usual advice is to get it tapped & faced so as to make sure that the ends of the shell and the threading are all perfectly aligned. If it's not, you will destroy external BBs rather quickly.

I see the stock bike uses a UN-26, which is basic to say the least. I'd put a (rather better) UN54 in there & a basic square taper chainset rather than an expensive External BB system.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi John.

Re the headset - if it is semi-integrated then inside the headtube you will find a flat ledge about 10mm from the edge top and bottom.

The bearing cup has to fit snugly into the wider entrance to the headtube and then rest on that ledge.

I think the depth is fairly standard- so all you really need to do is measure the internal diameter of the headtube and see if that matches the FSA No 10.

The problem is that the fit has to be spot on - so I would go to your LBS with this if you are in any doubt.

 

[GilesM]

You're correct, you will nee to use the semi integrated headset on this frame, the FSA one will be fine, but many others available if you want to upgrade at some point.

The bars and stem will be fine with those forks, you'll have to cut the fork steerer down to the correct length, lots of measuring and checking before you cut, I would add a few spacers between the top of the headset and the stem, and possibly also above the stem, this will allow for a bit of adjustment of bar height once you get familiar with the bike, and also a bit of panic space if you cut the steerer too short. The spacers are cheap, all sorts here http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=33

As for the bottom bracket, the external one will fit okay, as already mentioned most likely English thread, and if you fit an external BB just check the width of the shell on the Cube frame, probably 68mm, but could be 73mm, the BB will come with spacers so that it will fit either widths.
As for for facing the BB shell, it is recommended by some people and others don't bother, on a new frame it should be okay. I bought myself a facing tool a few years ago and to be honest, I have used it a few times, but I'm not sure it was really necessary, but a good LBS will do it for you for a few quid if you just take the frame in. I think one of the problems is that some external BB don't last very long with or without facing, Race Face ones have a very bad reputation, and I have destroyed a couple in a very short time.

 

[Jon2]

Thanks for your replies, they are very helpful.

It sounds like i should be getting a cartridge bottom bracket. PpPete, you mentioned getting a basic square taper chainset, could you recommend one? Will the chainset i mentioned fit a square taper bottom bracket, or will it only fits its own external one?

 

[GilesM]

Thanks for your replies, they are very helpful.

It sounds like i should be getting a cartridge bottom bracket. PpPete, you mentioned getting a basic square taper chainset, could you recommend one? Will the chainset i mentioned fit a square taper bottom bracket, or will it only fits its own external one?

Don't be put off the external BB, they are excellent, but some brands are not exactly designed for off road in Britain, however some are and are excellent, the chainset you have mentioned will not work with a square taper BB.

 

[PpPete]

Thanks for your replies, they are very helpful.

It sounds like i should be getting a cartridge bottom bracket. PpPete, you mentioned getting a basic square taper chainset, could you recommend one? Will the chainset i mentioned fit a square taper bottom bracket, or will it only fits its own external one?

Chainsets are specific to a particular type of bottom bracket.
You choice will be, to a certain extent, dictated by how many speeds you want on the cassette; if you want more than 8 speed cassette Shimano want you to have external BB chainset (and pay £££)

 

[Jon2]

Ok, thanks for your help.

 

[Jon2]

Hopefully my last question..
Will a shimano xt cassette fit on a sram 406 race hub? The shimano hubs cost a lot more, and also want me to use a centre lock rotor, which i won't have.

 

[GilesM]

Hopefully my last question..
Will a shimano xt cassette fit on a sram 406 race hub? The shimano hubs cost a lot more, and also want me to use a centre lock rotor, which i won't have.

No problem, the SRAM and Shimano cassettes are all the same fit, use both on all my wheels.