Bottom bracket lifespan?

t0pc4t
t0pc4t Posts: 947
edited January 2011 in The workshop
I've probably done about 5000 miles on my Cube on the original bottom bracket and this morning for the first time heard a creak and a slight slip as I came on the power.

Is 5k miles reasonable for it to be the bottom bracket on the way out?

On this bike it's quite normal for the cranks to groan and the pedals to creak so I know it wasn't that.

Not sure if it could also be the cassette as that, again, is original

I'm not OCD about cleaning it but do tend to look after the drivetrain (lubed once a week, degrease and lube once a month)
Whether you're a king or a little street sweeper, sooner or later you'll dance with the reaper.

Cube Curve 2009
Giant Anthem X4

FCN=6

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Bearings can be funny old things, but I would say that 5K miles for something that costs typically about £50 to replace is reasonable.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • saladdays
    saladdays Posts: 92
    My Shimano 105 BB has lasted at least 15,000 miles in all weather including being submerged once!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    the cube curve is a low end hybrid/tourer?

    with a square taper BB?

    you are looking at a £10 item that has done OK.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    The Beginner wrote:
    Bearings can be funny old things, but I would say that 5K miles for something that costs typically about £50 to replace is reasonable.

    Simon

    Fifty quid! They must have seen you coming.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • CarlosDSanchez
    CarlosDSanchez Posts: 455
    If you grab the cranks and try and move them from side to side is there any movement or can you feel play? If not I suppose the seals could of gone and there could be contamination inside the bearing. What type is it? The current version of your bike has hollowtech II, is you're one the same?

    Creak and a slight slip...

    Doesn't sound like the BB to me though. Are you still on the original chain? After 5000 miles it will definitely need replacing. In fact if you've run the same chain for 5000 miles you will probably need to replace the chainset and cassette as well.
    Dolan Preffisio
    2010 Cube Agree SL
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    antfly wrote:
    The Beginner wrote:
    Bearings can be funny old things, but I would say that 5K miles for something that costs typically about £50 to replace is reasonable.

    Simon

    Fifty quid! They must have seen you coming.

    So are you telling me there aren't BB's that cost a lot more?

    I don't spend that but some do.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    There are a few fancy shmancy ones but typically they are around twenty quid or less.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Indeed, and all but one of mine have been second hand!

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • t0pc4t
    t0pc4t Posts: 947
    Hi all, thanks for the replies!

    I'm on my second chain but original cassette, was planning to replace both after winter as I go for cheaper SRAM chains and replace more often.

    The 'slip' only happened once on todays ride so I'm really not sure what it is, it did definitely feel like it was coming from the crank / BB area rather than the rear.

    I'll wait until it becomes more pronounced, I'd couldn't feel any sideways play when I checked so at this stage I am really not sure what is wrong.
    Whether you're a king or a little street sweeper, sooner or later you'll dance with the reaper.

    Cube Curve 2009
    Giant Anthem X4

    FCN=6
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    I've got an old Shimano UN72 BB with a good many thousands of miles on it and it ain't even close to wearing out.

    As for £50+ BBs, I've a Phil Wood BB on my tourer that cost rather more than that, but I doubt I will need to replace it for many, many years making the outlay well worth it, for convenience, reliability and peace of mind. It's a bargain piece of kit in the long run.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Blue Meanie
    Blue Meanie Posts: 495
    BB on my BSA is 40yrs old, don't build 'em like that anymore thankfully.
    Needs constant attention and getting the cotter pins out the first time was fun, now they've moved it's not so awkward, fresh grease and a bit of preload, all good.
    Diagnosing and servicing the Sturmey is a bit more involved, but even more fun.

    I've bought a new track style BB and chainset for cheapness sake, just can't bear to fit it.
    FCN16 - 1970 BSA Wayfarer

    FCN4 - Fixie Inc
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Mine died last week, at 8,500 miles, most of them punishing, including climbing sorry grinding over the alps fully loaded with a double at the front.

    Then my mates died after 500 miles, go figure!
  • Bluestoesonnose
    Bluestoesonnose Posts: 372
    I'd say you've got good wear out of it, I tend to get 12 months on my MTB and about 3 years on my Commute bike. I do tend to replace with Shimano XT BB's as they seem to be on offer and do seem to last as well as anything else I've tried.
    This is why!
  • flateric
    flateric Posts: 201
    t0pc4t wrote:
    Hi all, thanks for the replies!

    I'll wait until it becomes more pronounced, I'd couldn't feel any sideways play when I checked so at this stage I am really not sure what is wrong.

    I tried watch nd wait for a while once, left it too long and once got around to getting theloose BB replaced the frame had distorted so much the new bracket wouldnt screw in. oops, new frame.........
    Bike one Dawes Acoma (heavily modified)
    Bike two (trek) Lemond Etape (dusty and not ridden much)
    Bike Three Claude Butler chinook, (freebee from
    Freecycle, Being stripped and rebuilt
    (is 3 too many bikes)
  • stevec205gti
    stevec205gti Posts: 366
    What do you mean by slip? I don't see how a slightly worn bearing can induce a chain to slip?
    Has the head wind picked up or the tail wind dropped off???
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    stevec205gti wrote:
    What do you mean by slip? I don't see how a slightly worn bearing can induce a chain to slip?

    My BB was so knackered the crank moved enough for the chain to slip off.. could be that...
  • Valy
    Valy Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2011
    Jesus Christ - how did you manage 5000 miles on one cassette and chain? :O:O

    I had to replace my chain after about 2000kms - likewise for the cassette!

    EDIT in bold. opps! :P
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  • HadronCyclist
    HadronCyclist Posts: 69
    200 miles? I ride 200miles every couple of days in the summer. If i had to replace a chain every 200 miles cycling would cost me more than filling up my gas guzzler! What did you do to your chain?!

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