Lapierre Zesty bottom bracket upgrade
maluco_beleza
Posts: 28
I've been riding a Zesty 314 for almost 6 months, and I'm now feeling that the bottom bracket is a bit stiff. I've riden over the winter in quite heavy / muddy conditions, so I guess that since the bottom bracket bearings are not sealed, they are not going to last too long.
I'm thinking of upgrading to a more rock solid, sealed bottom bracket, preferably with ceramic bearings. The question is: what type of bottom bracket should I look for? I'm not sure what 'standard' is being used in the Zestys (external, press fit etc). I quite fancy the hope ones, but not sure if they fit in the Zesty.
Any enlightenment would be very welcome....
I'm thinking of upgrading to a more rock solid, sealed bottom bracket, preferably with ceramic bearings. The question is: what type of bottom bracket should I look for? I'm not sure what 'standard' is being used in the Zestys (external, press fit etc). I quite fancy the hope ones, but not sure if they fit in the Zesty.
Any enlightenment would be very welcome....
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the bearings will be sealed.
and i would look at just changing the bearings,
no a hope one will not fit."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
One of the guys I ride with is having the same problem - I suggested that he got in touch with those fine gents at Hope to see what they would charge to spin up Shimano press fit style cups for one of their ceramic BBs. I've not seen him since before christmas so don't know the outcome but I'd say given how helpful they are and the fact it would potentially be a great product line variation (what with the amount of Lappies out there now), they might be able to help.
Plus how many supercool points would you get for a custom tooled Hope BB??? 0 -
My opinion is: why change when they are still working?0
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Apologies as this is a long post but it seems from this thread that there may be an issue developing with Laps so its importnat i list the details...
Bought my 514 last May and had a great summer with it, completely stoked with it's performance except for an annoying water ingression issue with the headset... swapped it out early summer for a Hope unit and no issues seen since.
However... more concerning was when the winter came and things got wetter and muddier (than normal!) I started getting issues with the BB. The original item became very stiff in certain positions as if the bearings were catching and a return visit to Nirvana in November concluded that the bearings were shot due to water getting in the frame; it was still in the seat and down tubes and the BB shell. The guys there were really helpful and replaced immediately under warranty but it still didn't address the reason why or how it had got in, in the first place... All the usual questions were asked, had I jet washed it, used a hose, squirted water at the bearing faces, ridden it through deep water... all the answers were no, so why did it happen.
New BB fitted I returned home and rode another 4-5 times in heavy rain and mud conditions before I discovered mid December that the BB had gone again, this time it was almost seized solid!! :x Back to Nirvana and another BB was fitted under warranty with water seen once more in the tubes and BB shell. Nirvana also added some pipe insulation to the BB shell around the unit to block off the seat and down tube holes entering the BB shell in an effort to prevent water getting to the bearings.
Unfortunately, I haven't ridden since so i'm not able to update yet (will do if the problem evolves) but more importantly I still don't know how the water is getting in... two things I'm sure of though...
1. it's not coming through the Hope headset
2. it's not what you expect from this price bracket of bike... or any mid level MTB...0 -
sidders,
Which headset did you get for your 514? I also had lots of mudd in mine, had to strip and relube, but since I don't want to do this every 2 months, I'm thinking of upgrading for a sealed bearings one too.
Again, not quite sure what type of headset to look for (integrated, semi integrated, etc.....)
Thanks!0 -
Headset types can be found in the FAQ, or a guide on Park Tools. You need to compare to what you have in there at the minute.
It does seem like cheap bearings may be fitted as standard and the brand or type is not listed. However a change of bearings would probably be the best bet (when the old ones die) - ask the shop if they do improved bearings, or take the old ones to a beareing shop and see if they have a match.0 -
maluco_beleza wrote:sidders,
Which headset did you get for your 514? I also had lots of mudd in mine, had to strip and relube, but since I don't want to do this every 2 months, I'm thinking of upgrading for a sealed bearings one too.
Again, not quite sure what type of headset to look for (integrated, semi integrated, etc.....)
Thanks!
Maluco... The headset fitted to the Zesty is a semi-integrated unit, the bearings run in seats that need to be pressed into the frame; rather than run directly in the frame which is an integrated headset... You can do this swap without specific tools if you are handy with some threaded rod, a few nuts and some plates to brace against the new seats/frame, otherwise your LBS will be able to do it easily (I would not recommend hammering them in). The Hope unit you ask after is the semi-integrated replacement which is called the Integral headset.
The original unit is not partcularly well sealed from the elements and ingression of debris/water is definately not surprising when comparing it with a quality replacement unit... replacing the bearings is fine but it does not address the primary sealing issue with the OE unit and you are reliant only on the seals of the bearing to keep water etc out... not enough for the British climate for sure.
Whilst i'm sure there are other good quality replacements out there, I chose Hope based on their reputation, price and consistent performance in media grouptests and I have to say I am not disappointed... the quality of the seals is second to none and compared to the original item is simply in a different league. If they start making press fit BB's to replace the OE Shimano XTR unit fitted to the Zesty I'll be at the front of the queue!! 0 -
Thanks sidders,
Yes, you are right, I checked the Park Tools website following supersonics suggestion, and the headset is the semi integrated indeed.
The original ones are quite rubbish in my oppinion, there is no way you can get away during the the winter. The bearings are completely exposed, there is only a plastic cap protecting them from the muck that comes from the front wheel.
Whill probably wait a bit more to thrash the bearings, and swap when the winter is over...
My BB are really stiff, I was thinking of taking the bike back to Evans (where I got it from), but to be honest, the service there is so rubish (and I had so many issues with them when I bought it), that I'm willing to get a new one and not worry too much about warranty...0 -
Having tried loads of different kit over the years, I've well and truly been converted to Hope - not only does their kit work amazingly, is sensibly priced and lasts near as forever, when things need doing (and we're talking very rare bits of maintenance here), next to no specialist tools or knowledge are required and their helpful youtube vids make it so simple to do.
I reckon there's a massive gap in the market for a Hope press fit BB - perhaps all the affected Lappy owners should be getting on the phone or email to them?0 -
Also check out the FSA Z series too.0
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Surprise!!
My Zesty BB is toast too!
@andyrm, I phoned Hope to see if they do a press fit BB, they have no plans to, and if they did, it would be well over a year with all the r&d required.
I have trawled t'interweb for ages and a few guys on singletrack forum have ordered
these - Enduro BB
Even with postage from the states it works out at about £38 at current exchange.
I havent ordered one yet as im not sure how to pop my old one out, but will defo be getting one in the near future.0 -
http://www.thebicycledoctor.net/lapierre-zesty--spicy-xtr-hollowtech-bottom-bracket-press-fit-3767-p.asp
Is this a suitable replacement? They don't look like the BB bearings on my 2010 Zesty. They look more like external bearings?0 -
hmm , i've noticed many posts on this forum recently highlighting various problems
with lapierre bikes.
i'd be quite worried if i owned one reading all this , especially the post about the guy
whose frame cracked after just a few rides.
obviously defects are bad luck and can happen to all bikes , but the same issues keep
coming up.
which is a shame cos they look fantastic bikes and would definately consider buying
one if i had the cash.
not any more.0 -
vdu7x wrote:http://www.thebicycledoctor.net/lapierre-zesty--spicy-xtr-hollowtech-bottom-bracket-press-fit-3767-p.asp
Is this a suitable replacement? They don't look like the BB bearings on my 2010 Zesty. They look more like external bearings?
The picture and the description dont match. Yours is a press-fit like the one I posted a link to earlier, that picture has threads on and the cups look like they would extend too far out of the BB shell.0 -
sharpy1 wrote:Surprise!!
My Zesty BB is toast too!
@andyrm, I phoned Hope to see if they do a press fit BB, they have no plans to, and if they did, it would be well over a year with all the r&d required.
I have trawled t'interweb for ages and a few guys on singletrack forum have ordered
these - Enduro BB
Even with postage from the states it works out at about £38 at current exchange.
I havent ordered one yet as im not sure how to pop my old one out, but will defo be getting one in the near future.
Hey Sharpy1... Have you had any previous issues regarding your Lap and the bearings, or is this the first your BB has shown?
Be really interested to hear what your experience with the Enduro number is... please do post on your experience of them. I looked into them before pursuing mine through the warranty at my LBS... they look tough enough but the recurrent theme here makes you wonder if there is a bigger issue with the Lap's design or if it is just a case that these press fit Shim BB are flawed.
Incidentally, what size frame are you riding?0 -
sidders101 wrote:Hey Sharpy1... Have you had any previous issues regarding your Lap and the bearings, or is this the first your BB has shown?
Be really interested to hear what your experience with the Enduro number is... please do post on your experience of them. I looked into them before pursuing mine through the warranty at my LBS... they look tough enough but the recurrent theme here makes you wonder if there is a bigger issue with the Lap's design or if it is just a case that these press fit Shim BB are flawed.
Incidentally, what size frame are you riding?
This is my 1st prob with the BB on my Zesty. At first I thought it was all my own fault, went round Gisburn with Mrs S in crap weather, then drove over an hour home in horrible rain then didnt clean or use the bike for about 2 weeks. Got on it and it felt like the BB had seized totally, it freed up after a while though.
Probably is my fault for not cleaning and lubing but I would have thought that a 2 grand bike would have better kit on it than that. Mrs S is running a Specialized Myka Sport for £300 and her BB is sweet as a nut!!!
I have no personal experience with the Enduro BB but they look a hell of a lot better than the Shimano one thats on it now. What I like the look of is, If the Enduro bearings do knack up, then you dont have to take the whole BB out you can just replace the bearing races.
There are at least 2 guys on the singletrack forum who have got them but i am still waiting for my login password for registration on their site so I can PM the fellas for their feedback. HTH
I am 5'10" and riding a Large (50). Found the medium a bit cramped for me. I stuck a 50mm Thomson stem on it and it fits me great! What about you?
Paul0 -
Interesting to hear that people are having the same issue as me. After every wet ride I have to empty 1/2 cup water out of the seat tube. I've no idea how it's all getting it but it can't be good for the bike.
The bb's not gritty but becomes stiff after a few weeks not being used, I've taken the seal covers off and filled with chain oil but will probably take a punt on the Enduro bb soon. Checked the headset today and that was full with mud, bearings need replacing. Does anyone know what bearings fit or should I just fit a new headset?0 -
My BB seems OKish now. I sprayed some copper grease in the bearings and they have freed up, I'm sure its only a temporary fix and I will get an Enduro one sooner rather than later.
My headset is always full of crap too. Hope do one that fits Link that I think I'll get soon too.
I've never noticed water in my seat tube (but then I have never turned bike upside down with the seatpost out!) but i have noticed that quite a bit of cack gets in and around the seat clamp, thats prob where the water ingress is from.0 -
Yep - my seat tube is always damp if not actually wet. I think it's the seat clamp area as well.
Zesty 714"it rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again"0 -
I have a 09 514 which I got back in Feb last year, headset and BB bearings have been shot for ages! Both normally seize up after cleaning or a wet ride but a load of wd40 etc loosens them up and they are fine when riding so ive been running them like this through the winter but will replace both in a month or so.
So that Hope headset you link to sharpy1, that needs the old semi integrated cups pushing out and the new Hope ones fitting then?
Is it the BB92 enduro bearings that are needed?
Ive never turned mine upside down after cleaning but always leave the post out. Clearly water gets in somehow to kill the BB bearings. Some of this may be due to the rear facing seat slot I mean FFS, such well designed frames then a rear facing slot??? they must have all been at lunch when that was chosen by some work experience kid!0 -
Is this what I've got to look forward to if i ever get my 314 :x . Just hope these are the exceptions rather than the rule.0
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Well i've had my 514 parked up on a stand all winter and I checked it tonight and everything was moving fine despite being put away wet about 3 months ago.....
No signs of any frame cracks either (touch wood). No doubt I'll need a new BB at some point as the chalk and sludge of the Surrey Hills will inevitably take it s toll but I'm sure that would be the same with most bikes.
Easy to get paranoid about these things and forget just what a joy this bike is to ride!0 -
breezer wrote:So that Hope headset you link to sharpy1, that needs the old semi integrated cups pushing out and the new Hope ones fitting then?
Is it the BB92 enduro bearings that are needed?
I think the original headset cups will defo need removing as the bearings in the Hope one are sealed so prob wont fit the shape of the cups that are there at the mo.
Yeah its the BB92 one.
5Thumbs has it right... these niggles are a bit of a ball-ache but the bike is bloody good fun.
All bikes with open bearings in the headset will have probs, I had a Cannondale before my Zesty and the headset bearings got all cack up in that, and Mrs S has a Specialized Myka and her headset was cacked too. Also the amount of wear a BB gets, they are all going to fail sometime, just so happens that the crap Shimano ones in these go a bit sooner than others. Its a good excuse to spend some money (and maybe get a cheeky ceramic BB).0 -
upgraded my Spicy bearing to a Cane Creek 100 ZS - think the same model works on the Zesty too. Its an awesome headset with top rate bearings.0
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"it rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again"0
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Just picking up the BB thread again ...
I'm finding my 2011 514 BB is rubbish in the wet/gloop and have had to take cranks out and regrease it all about three times in last 4-6 months.
I can't find any conclusive responses in the posts above and wondering if there are any updates?
Is there a better sealed/longer lasting upgrade for the Zesty BB's and if so what are they?
Thanks!0 -
Hi,
Your query was passed onto Owen Coutts, WMB's latest tech guru. Here are his thoughts...
"A crunchy feeling bottom bracket most likely means that the bearings are on their last legs. The Zesty has a Shimano press-fit bottom bracket, which you can fit at home by using the specific insert and removal tool. These can be pricey so you might be better off paying a visit to your local bike shop.
Steve Kerr from Lapierre UK explained that on his own bike he removes the inner bearing covers and pumps the cartridge bearing full of grease, which seems to keep the bottom bracket running smoother for longer. He does this with all the bearings on his bikes and reminded us that jet washing is a total no-no.
Ceramic bearings can be lower in weight, slightly more corrosion resistant and slightly smoother spinning, but
the cost to noticeable performance increase ratio is low. For everyday riding a fresh set of good tyres or going tubeless will provide a more noticeable performance benefit. Sorry, boring but true…" Owen
Cheers, Su0 -
There's a fair amount of chat over Press Fit BBs on www.lapierreownersclub.com.
Worth a quick trawl.0 -
There are several threads on here regarding this topic. Here are links to a couple. You can search for pressfit or BB92 to see more:bikepigeon wrote:Is there a better sealed/longer lasting upgrade for the Zesty BB's and if so what are they?
viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12774780&p=16920592
viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12750366&p=166936970
