Upgrading from cartridge to External Bottom Bracket

Dagowly83
Dagowly83 Posts: 40
edited October 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi all, first post so do excuse me!

Had a search through the forum already but i can't seem to find the appropriate answer. I'm buying a Specialized FSR XC Pro, and it has a Deore front chainset and cartridge bearing bottom bracket. I'm looking to upgrade a few bits and pieces around the bike anyway, but i'd like to upgrade to the Shimano XT chainset up front but it comes with an external bearing BB. How difficult is it to upgrade? And what is involved? :)

Many thanks
Steve
2010 Specialized FSR XC Pro - XTR group set
2013 Boardman Team Carbon - Std, for now ;)

Comments

  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    It's a piece of cake.

    All you'll need to do it is the correct tool to remove the exisiting BB (and possibly a crank extractor to remove your cranks, if they aren't self-extracting); and the correct spanner and preload tool to fit the new one. Plus a few allen keys.

    There is the argument for having the bottom bracket shell faced if it isn't already, but I never bother seeing as how Shimano BBs come with plastic spacers.
    Give a home to a retired Greyhound. Tia Greyhound Rescue
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  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    The Latest Deore chainsets on 2009 and 2010 XC Pros have an external bb.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Dagowly83 wrote:
    Hi all, first post so do excuse me!

    Had a search through the forum already but i can't seem to find the appropriate answer. I'm buying a Specialized FSR XC Pro, and it has a Deore front chainset and cartridge bearing bottom bracket. I'm looking to upgrade a few bits and pieces around the bike anyway, but i'd like to upgrade to the Shimano XT chainset up front but it comes with an external bearing BB. How difficult is it to upgrade? And what is involved? :)

    Many thanks
    Steve

    dont bother untill things wear out.

    if you are looking to upgrade from new you have bought the wrong bike.

    and yes do get the bb faced if it has not been done.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • Dagowly83
    Dagowly83 Posts: 40
    nicklouse wrote:
    dont bother untill things wear out.

    if you are looking to upgrade from new you have bought the wrong bike.

    and yes do get the bb faced if it has not been done.

    I'm only back in the UK for 2 days, so i'll either need the shop to do it if they've got time or buy the tools and do it myself. They have said i only have to pay the difference between the Deore and the XT so i'm not too fussed. Its only the front derailleur and the pedals i've bought other than that. The rest of the bike is just what i wanted :)

    Cheers for your help guys. Great forum.
    2010 Specialized FSR XC Pro - XTR group set
    2013 Boardman Team Carbon - Std, for now ;)

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