Bottom bracket

Stevie-eff
Stevie-eff Posts: 36
edited June 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi,

I am new to this forum and a reasonable newbie to mountain biking.

I own a 2012 Specialized Rockhopper comp, all standeard at the moment except for the shifters which i have upgraded to shimano slx's.

Can anyone tell me about internal and external bearing bottom brackets please.

I have an internal one at the moment connected to a shimano acera octalink chainset (9x3 speed). Can i change to an external bearing bottom bracket without having to change my chainset?

Thanks

Steve

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    In a word no.

    New cranks and the BB face will need facing.

    See Parktools and the FAQs above.
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    It's debatable whether an external BB is an upgrade. Internal ones last much longer, and Octolink works really well.
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  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Stay with Octalink external bottom brackets are lighter but dont last as long and are just as stiff in my experience. I still kick myself for selling my old scuffed but still spinning perfectly Octalink chainset. No need to pish about with facing and spacers and stupid little useless seals the external BBs use.
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  • Stevie-eff
    Stevie-eff Posts: 36
    Thanks for your replies everyone

    I will stick with the octalink then.

    Can't see the point in having a BB that won't last as long just to save a few grammes!

    Sure there are plenty of good quality internal BB's out there.

    Thanks again