Boardman mtb txc 650b team hardtail 2014

grooverida

Hi
New to forum so greeting bike friends.
I have the above bike. I hadn't rode it for the last couple of months as the weather was bad.​ Today i checked it and the crank is stiff and doesn't move freely.​ I did some reading and it could be due to the bottom bracket.​ I checked the specs and i think it is
fsa mega exo 68mm shell.​ Is this correct?
I removed the chain and the stiffness is definitely within the crank spindle or bottom bracket.​ Then i took the crank off, cleaned and greased. The bottom bracket bearing are not moving as freely and making a noise think they have searved me well and need replacing. I have managed to get crank to move freely again but just want to change the bottom bracket now.
What is the best bottom bracket for this bike?​ Shall i get another fsa or is shimano or sram better? Do you know the size i need?
Also what size bottom bracket tool do i need to remove?
To install, remove old one.​ Clean housing. Grease threads on bike frame.​ Also grease threads on new bracket. Finally grease crank spindle on the ends where it meets the bracket.

JBA

I think it's a 24mm axle on that chainset. If so you should be able to use a Shimano HTII bottom bracket. Otherwise replace like for like with a Mega Exo bb.
Check on line to confirm which tool you need to remove the Mega Exo bb.

grooverida

Is that a good bottom bracket, shimano?
See attached crack spec

steve_sordy

I used to have one of those FSA Mega EXO BBs. Externally they look like a Shimano Hollowtech II would be just the job, which I was pleased about. But they don't fit. The Shimano requires a 24mm crank axle. The FSA one is 24mm at the drive side and 23mm at the other. (It might be 25 and 24mm, I can't remember now). The message is that FSA is not same as Shimano.

I got myself into a right mess with it all and knackered the Shimano stuff I had bought, so I couldn't take it back. I didn't want another FSA BB because it was crap. I went to the LBS for help (Rutland Cycling). They had a big board with about 30 different types of BB fastened to it. He told me that they use it to determine what BB they need. The guy told me that it's a minefield.

You don't have to buy another FSA BB, there are alternatives. It is just not straightforward to specify.

grooverida

Now you confusing me, haha. I was gonna get the shimano hollowtech 2 xtr.
Is the one i need then?

https://www.tweekscycles.com/uk/fsa-bb-6000-gossamer-megaexo-bottom-bracket-905163/

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xtr-m980-hollowtech-ii-bottom-bracket-cups?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360634339&kpid=5360634339&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhP2BBhDdARIsAJEzXlH-NM39jb7Horf505wUDbmNU-PtPVt4cFyRfrhLWu1IdYWQPyrSIdIaArRdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

grooverida

I have norrowed it down to these two ?
What do you guys recommend?

Shimano xtr bb93 hollowtech II or
Fsa megaexo bb-9050

Thanks

steve_sordy

Don't get the Shimano Hollowtech II. No matter how much it cost it is still an HII.
There will be others out there that will fit that are not FSA, but I can't advise you. But with that choice, I'd get the FSA.

When you remove the crank, measure the spindle diameter to see if it is bigger at the drive side than the non-drive side. Then you will know for sure that you chose correctly. (Or that I am completely wrong and have been giving you duff advice - either way let us know please). Every day should be a learning day.