Creaking BB30

venster

Hi.
I’m suffering from a creaking BB30 bottom bracket.
I’ve eliminated all other things and the sound comes from when I’m putting power through the pedal.

I took the cranks out and the bearings are silky smooth. I’ve read about using Loctite to secure the bearings in the frame - not sure if mine have been but is it something the LBS would do if they took them out?

Also, should I change bearings, what’s people’s favourite? Stick with what’s in there (FSA - I think) or something else?

Thanks

venster

Also, reading up other people have used adapters, like Praxis, and a new chainset and this has eliminated the creak.

How does happen when you’re using the same bearings in the frame??

PMark

If your BB is a pure press fit one (doesnt screw in), then getting a BB from someone like Praxis will probably be the best option.

I got a praxis one for mine to resolve the issues. Praxis and a few others like Wheels Manufacturing make BBS that can screw in, so have less play compared to ones which you just press in, to install.

venster

So I can just pull the current bearings out and use these screw in BBs and use the same chainset?

Sounds simple?

venster

Something like this?

https://www.merlincycles.com/praxis-m30-bb30-pf30-bottom-bracket-106289.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=43924&source=PHG

Edited

PMark

venster said:

So I can just pull the current bearings out and use these screw in BBs and use the same chainset?

Sounds simple?

Yes, although if you don’t have the tools to install a screw in BB, it will be cheaper to just get bike shop to do (cost me £30, vs £50 for tools).

Also I am not sure that bottom bracket is compatible with your cranks, as that one is made to install praxis cranks in your bike. What cranks do you have exactly?

amrushton

plenty on YouTube. greasing the edges might help and hambini has some stuff on YouTube. he also does bearings and BBs (which are supposed to be lovely albeit expensive)

venster

PMark said:

venster said:

So I can just pull the current bearings out and use these screw in BBs and use the same chainset?

Sounds simple?

Yes, although if you don’t have the tools to install a screw in BB, it will be cheaper to just get bike shop to do (cost me £30, vs £50 for tools).

Also I am not sure that bottom bracket is compatible with your cranks, as that one is made to install praxis cranks in your bike. What cranks do you have exactly?

I realised that BB isn’t suitable. I’m struggling to find a suitable one tbh.

I’m running the Cannondale Spidering chainset

photonic69

One of these maybe?

https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/cannondale-bb30a.html

I have one in my Felt frame after many woes with BB30 bearings.

getting_on_a_bit

To Vengster,
Same as you,I developed an intermittent creak in my 10yr old BB30..when putting the power down ..alright otherwise.
Convinced myself that it was the bottom bracket albeit I removed the cranks a number of times to see the bearings,rotated by hand which although they did 'feel' smooth I thought that perhaps I must be mistaken.
So,bought tools,tentatively replaced BB30 bearings,reassembled and off for a test ride and what do you know...creaking the same.
With bike up against a wall and pulling cranks to check for tightness I was also gripping rear stays and noticed the 'creak'..on closer grumpy inspection I traced this to a slightly loose rear wheel QR lever..so tightened and off for another test ride and hey presto no creaking.
So at least I now know how to replace a BB30.

sunnyape

The OP said he was running Cannondale Spiderings. I have a carbon Synapse with BB30A with a SISL crankset. Those multi-piece cranksets are often the cause of the creak. If you disassemble, clean, and re-assemble the spider / lock ring assembly with Loctite, that can often solve it.

BB30 can be very reliable when installed correctly, but it's a bit hit-and-miss.

About 6 months ago, after about 20K kms since the last service, I was starting to get some creaking when out of the saddle. The chainrings were looking quite worn and the BB bearings had some play, so it was time for a pull-down and service. Trying to find a new set of 5 bolt 110BCD rings was nearly impossible and the prices were absurd... so I too put in a Wheels Manufacturing BB that converted to 24mm axles and put in a Shimano 105 5800 crankset. Smooth and quiet! Also has slightly better up-shifting than the plain FSA chainrings and the cranks are a bit stiffer too.

Well worth the effort, and actually cheaper than replacing the BB30 bearings and new chainrings.