Focus Cayo Ultegra & BB30 chainset - installation proble

WilsonHW

So, I have a Focus Cayo Expert from 2010 which is meant to be BB30 compatible.
The bike came with an FSA Energy chainset, which I believe is a standard GXP chainset with an adaptor to fit to the BB30 Cayo frame.

Recently I bought a SRAM Force BB30 chainset as I was wanted to make the most of my BB30 Cayo frame, and I also bought the SRAM BB30 Standard Bearing Assembly, Wiggle advised me this was all I needed to switch out the chainsets.

I took both to my LBS to be fitted however the mechanic said he couldn't fit it as the frame was threaded and he couldn't see any way how the bearings would fit in the frame.

Now I've just had a look on Wiggle and it appears I might need something called a SRAM BB30 to BSA adaptor kit, so does this mean the Cayo 2010 BB30 frame isn't compatible with press-fit BB30? I'm a little confused, is my frame BB30 or not? (it sure says it is on the frame!).

I'd be most grateful is someone could enlighten me as to what parts I need to make the swap.

Thanks

chrisw71

The frame is BB30 and no adaptor should be required to fit the bearings, they should be a simple press fit.

It may be the LBS is unfamiliar with BB30 and may have mistaken the adaptor already fitted as BB threads. This adaptor should be the same as the BSA adaptor kit and is simply a press fitted sleeve held by loctite. It just needs to be "pushed" out using a headset press and the correct removal tools.

Have a look at http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/95-6415-003-000.pdf

nicklouse

Mmm FSA dont use the GXP.

the SRAM BB30 to BSA is pressed and glued into a BB30 shell to allow the use of threaded external cups like GXP or HT2

TBH Pics of your BB are without cranks would help identify what is going on, as there is also adaptors that fit in BB 30 bearings to allow the use of GXP and HT2 cranks.

WilsonHW

Thanks both of you, I've done a little more research and ias you said, it would appear that there's an adaptor/shim fitted to the BB30 design to convert iit nto a standard english threaded bottom brocket, external bottom bracket cups are then fitted with the chainset that came with the bike.

I guess I need to explain this to my LBS and have them remove the adaptor to press-fit the new bearings so its actually running BB30.

Thanks again.

mz__jo

I don't knoiw this frame but if it is carbon please take note of the advice in the SRAM link above. An adaptor glued into a carbon frame is PERMANENT; removal will break the frame, the Loctite block-press used is a very strong bond and you can't loosen it by heating the frame.

WilsonHW

Hmm yeah, I've just seen that in the small print.

It is a carbon frame. Why on earth would they make a BB30 frame, make a big deal out of it being a BB30 frame and then fit an adapter from the factory which supposedly can never be removed so you can't actually use BB30, this seems a really backward thing to do!

I'm going to take the bike to another bike shop I've heard good things about from my club mates and see what their take is on this situation.

chrisw71

An adaptor fitted in a carbon frame is permanent but as far as I am aware the Focus frame has an alloy bearing sleeve bonded into the frame. With the correct tools this "should" be no more a problem than if the adaptor was fitted to an aluminium frame.
Yes, you cannot heat the frame to break the bond, but neither would I want to be exposing my aluminium frame to 250 degrees (the temp to release loctite 609 ).

You are right, it is marketed as BB30 and if the specification means that you cannot possibly fit a BB30 bottom bracket or chainset then it is not as described and subject to the Sales of Goods Act and if you have your mind set on BB30 then ask Wiggle for a solution.

nicklouse

chrisw71 wrote:

You are right, it is marketed as BB30 and if the specification means that you cannot possibly fit a BB30 bottom bracket or chainset then it is not as described and subject to the Sales of Goods Act and if you have your mind set on BB30 then ask Wiggle for a solution.

Err take care there as the bike was sold as a Ultegra spec bike. and there is the Rub.

an Ultegra spec bike was bought not a BB30 frame.

WilsonHW

Hmm yeah you're right about it the bottom bracket being surrounded by alloy, not carbon.

I've had a look on Wiggle and it seems a fair few people have asked this question about fitting a BB30 chainset retrospectively, one chap said it was easy enough to remove the adapter with the right tools, and when another asked, Wiggle themselves said:

'Yes its simple to remove, there are tools for it which unfortunately we do not currently stock but they are press fit so they need to be knocked out of the frame gently'

I'll ring the specialist roadie shop nearest to me and see if they've dealt with this before.