Stiff? Bottom bracket.

tim_wand
tim_wand Posts: 2,552
edited November 2011 in Workshop
I ve just built up a winter frame with a chainset I got off Flea Bay. Its an Fsa Gossamer on a mega exo bottom bracket (Obviously external bearings).

It doesnt seem to spin as freely as other B/B s I have. I m pretty sure the bearing cups are okay,

The only thing I can think of is I dont think I fitted a wave washer, certainly didnt fit a new one. Would this cause the sticky feeling.

I ve took off the non drive side crank and tried spinning it and it feels no different.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    has the BB shell been faced?

    there is more friction on the BB with big diameter axles as there is more seal contact.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • tim_wand
    tim_wand Posts: 2,552
    The frame originally had an external bearing bottom bracket style (its a specialized secteur frame 2010) so im imagining it came with a sora chainset on shimano hollowtech 2 B/B.

    Then again thinking about it my mates just got a giant Defy 3 with Sora 2300 and I m pretty sure thats got an ISIS style B/B.

    So it could need refacing as I cant be 100% certain, and on fitting it did feel a little bit like the cups were compressing.

    What does the Wave washer do/ does it just put a bit of spring tension on the non drive side crank to load up to?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    if it has been faced then it will not need "refacing" as it only needs doing once. might be an idea to get the LBS to run the cutters over it to check.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • tim_wand
    tim_wand Posts: 2,552
    L.B.S is quoting £24 to tap and face the B/B shell, seems a bit steep to me only paid £45 for the chainset. Take it once this is done I will always be committed to running this style of B/B.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    no. you can run any. the tools are £600 from Park Tools.

    even with the old style BBs we faced the drive side as it allowed better fitting.

    one I did earlier
    nicklouse wrote:
    Untouched and ready to start.

    img0434z.jpg

    then chase the threads.

    img0435p.jpg

    remove the handle to allow the facing tool to be fitted.

    img0436y.jpg

    Fit the facing cutter.

    img0437h.jpg

    then face the BB faces.

    img0438i.jpg

    Not fully done

    img0440d.jpg

    Done

    img0441.jpg

    Other side

    img0442i.jpg

    remove tool and clean any swarf out.

    img0443a.jpg

    you are now ready to fit your external BB cups.

    img0446.jpg

    Job done.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • tim_wand
    tim_wand Posts: 2,552
    Fair enough if the tools £600 then the charge dont seem so bad. I ve built my own headset presses and done a bit of helicoling and tapping in the past but that looks like a job for the right tool, and at £600 best left to the LBS.

    Thanks for the advice.

Categories