BBs and Chainset

Mark2Bikes
Mark2Bikes Posts: 127
edited May 2012 in Workshop
I'm building up a cross / hybrid bike from bits. Are GXP, Megaexo and octalink chainsets and BBs all interchangeable or is each to their own?!
Thanks
Mark

Comments

  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    the latter
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    There are also two versions of octalink that mutally imcompatible just to complicate matters futhers. There is aslo square taper, and the different versions of external BB. GXP and shimano external BB are not compatible. What cranks to you have?
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Mark2Bikes
    Mark2Bikes Posts: 127
    Don't have cranks yet, but do have the GXP Bottom bracket. I took this off a new TT bike and replaced it only to discover that the play was due to not tightening enough ! Have used various BBs but having found out how to put these on properly they are really simple and light. Been riding my Focus Cayo with one for 3 years now. Problem is now I am limited to finding a Sram / Truvative chainset / cranks - right? It is a hybrid sort of bike I am building up to take on hioliday and am finding mostly second hand parts on ebay. Got a great frame from Paul Milnes cycles for £50!! Unused. I digress. So the only bargain chainstes which seem to come up are Truvativ Firex triples - that's OK if I use an 11 or 12 - 27 cassette. Or I could find a compact and use an 11-34 with it. I was thinking to widen the search for chainsets hence my question if any others would fit on a GXP BB - otherwise need to get another BB as well.
    Thanks.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    yeah you need a GXP chainset - Sram, Truvativ make them.

    Go compact, simple, lighter, easier to set up. Although using a 11-34 might be tricky - what rear mech+shifters are you thinking?
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Mark2Bikes
    Mark2Bikes Posts: 127
    I was thinking something like an HG50 cassette, Long cage sora/ tiagra rear mech or an Alivio. Shifters - Something for flat bars like Shimano R440 - actually won some on EBay but they never turned up !

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