Chainset and BB query

heavymental
heavymental Posts: 2,091
edited January 2008 in Workshop
I'm busy compiling a shopping list for kit to hang on my new frame. My question is...can I only start thinking about the bottom bracket once I know what chainset I'm going to put on there, and vice versa? What with different systems presumeably I'll have to ensure the chainset and BB are compatible? Can someone give me a brief rundown on what I need to be thinking of here.

Thanks.

Comments

  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Yep HM,

    The BB and crankset must be compatable, both to get the correct chainline and proper fit on the taper. However, if you getting Ultra Torque or Hollowtech the axle is already there and all you need is to buy the correct bearings from Campag or Shimano.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    go ultra torque (Campag) or hollowtech 2 (Shimano)

    the rest are inferior.

    How much are you thinking of spending?
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You can also add FSA's Mega Exo and Truvativ/SRAM's GXP systems - all use external bearings and integrated BB spindle, but the Campag UD is my choice.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    At the moment I'm looking to kit the bike out in Campag so I was looking at Campag chainsets but I have also looked at FSA too but I don't particularly like the way the crank arm clamps onto the spindle, that looks quite ugly to me. Is that unique to the FSA mega exo system? I'm keen to get a 34/50 compact so my choice isn't huge anyway.

    Basically my final decision will probably be based on what crops up at a good price on ebay or the classifieds! I had wanted to spend about £100 but I also want something smart as I'm building a smart bike but after a bit of browsing I think I might have to up the budget a bit.
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    Monty Dog wrote:
    but the Campag UD is my choice.

    UD? Is that different to Ultra Torque or a typo?
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    I think that was a rare typo. UD = Ultra Drive, which are Centaur 10 speed chainrings. UT = Ultra Torque.

    If you are looking for a good price, think about Campagnolo square taper chainsets. They are cheap, and very nice. I'm still not convinced that the new system is much better, elegant though it is.

    Since we were listing bb interfaces, Octalink is a Shimano interface, ISIS is a another splined system. Stronglight and Sugino use Activ-link, which is a more like the new Shimano system.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    edited October 2007
    Heavymental wrote:
    At the moment I'm looking to kit the bike out in Campag so I was looking at Campag chainsets

    Campag UT come in less than £100 (Veloce, Mirage, even Centaur) I'd go for that.
    see http://www.parker-international.co.uk/P ... 121dbed8b8

    The FSAs have a mixed reception.

    As said, you can pick up square taper c/sets cheap, but I'd spend the extra for the UT.
    Heavymental wrote:
    I'm keen to get a 34/50 compact so my choice isn't huge anyway.

    You can get compacts in square taper, ISIS, octalink, HT2, UT, ActivLink, Mega-Exo, GXP.... from Campag, Shimano, Ritchey, FSA, Stronglight, Truvativ, TA, Sram, ControlTech...and a whole load of others.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Sorry, I mean Ultra Torque, not UD - so many flamin' acronyms I can't keep up! I agree on the ugly pinch bolts on FSA, as well as Shimano - how anyone can consider that to be 'good' design I don't know? A few places seem to be offering discounts on 2007 Campag kit at the mo.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • munnser
    munnser Posts: 64
    go for ultra-torque, i went for centaur cmpact, and got it fitted by my local lbs and i was under £100 for the whole lot. brilliant piece of kit.
    its all about the bike!!
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    Thanks chaps. I have a Campag Centaur compact on my current bike and its a nice piece of kit, however as I'm building up a carbon steed so I think I should get something a bit smarter as its a bit of a centrepiece isn't it. I might keep my eye on the carbon armed versions of the Campag options.
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    Also...just a quick one. Will I really need a compact specific front mech? My 105 front mech handled it fine on my other bike. Also, I was hoping to put a cassette with a 27/28 biggest sproket on for Alps trips. Does that mean I'll need a medium cage rear mech?
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    standard Shimano mech will work but the CT mech will be a bit crisper, IME.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I run a 105 mech with a Centaur compact and no problems. My winter hack has a 28t sprocket with 48/34 rings and short cage mech, again no problems.
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    ok....I'll just shop for short cage and normal front mech then I think as there's more about. I haven't had a problem with the 105 short cage mech and standard front mech with a 28 on the back so I expect Campag kit should cope fine aswell.
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,091
    Update on this.
    Got myself a 2004 Record carbon compact from Geoffrey Butler for £119 which I think is a bit of a bargain considering the RRP was over £300. I'm now looking for a square taper BB to fit it with.
  • shfcook
    shfcook Posts: 347
    What happens when the bearings wear out on these new ultra-torque chainsets?
  • shfcook
    shfcook Posts: 347
    As well as needing to know how expensive the bearings are to replace on the UT chainsets, how easy is it remove them; I hear about the 10mm allen key, but where is it on the chainset?
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    You need a lot more than the 10mm allen key to change the bearings - that's just to separate the halves of the cranks to get access to them. You then need a bearing puller and something to install new bearings with. Campag tools for this are as always rather expensive, though I've seen reports of people using standard bearing pullers and homemade pressing tools (or you can always get your LBS to do it - assuming of course it has the correct tools!)
  • shfcook
    shfcook Posts: 347
    Any idea how much the replacement bearings are? For the price of a Chorus UT compact, one might be able to pick up a Record old compact + bottom bracket, which would weigh about the same as the UT and the cups?
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    £15 - http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=23091

    See also http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... hp?t=38044 and http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-6862530.html
  • shfcook
    shfcook Posts: 347
    Good news, on the strength of that I've ordered my Chorus UT compact, many thanks; how have Campag designed themselves out of selling more expensive bottom brackets?

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