Bottom Bracket & Crankset help please

Ronaldonion
Ronaldonion Posts: 2
in Workshop

Hi All,

I’ve dusted off a 2014 bike that was nearly new at the time and has been stored indoors since. Long story but 2 kids and 2 houses meant my priorities changed overnight 🫣

The BB is a MegaExo-4000 and the crankset is an FSA omega 50/34t 172.5mm.

I wanted to service the BB before riding with it being laid up so long as it seems dry and not 100%.

I’ve had scout round online and found that I’ll need a press tool, plastic ‘top hat’ covers and bearing seals to do it so costs adding up quickly.

The obvious answer is just buy a new one at £40. But I’m wondering if I have any alternatives that would be cheaper and easier to maintain in future. What’s complicating things is the crank axle is 19mm so I’m not sure if Shimano or others make BBs that would fit the crankset or can be adapted to?

I could get an equivalent Sora crankset and shimano BB for circa £100 which would be easier to maintain and cheaper to replace in the future.

Any suggestions on best way forward? Just use the BB as is until it fails then replace with same or upgrade?

Swap it out for something that will work with my crankset but is cheaper to maintain long term?

Any input helpful as I’m rusty on what works with what etc after so long.

Cheers,

Mike

Comments

  • oxoman
    oxoman Posts: 399

    Congrats on starting back up again. Good idea on servicing your bike, given its been stored indoors has it got damp. If not then having checked everything through then just ride it till they need replacing. A few things to double check though just in case. Tyres and inner tubes have they perished and cracked. If not try them out and check occasionally. Chainwise check for stiff links, free off or replace give how cheap they are. I'm assuming rim braked so brake blocks should be OK if hardly used. Wheels should spin freely and hopefully no sticky rear hub to stop it free wheeling. Check brake and gear cables aren't sticking or fraying.. TBH as already mentioned if stored in the dry indoors you should be fine.

    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • trevor.hall12
    trevor.hall12 Posts: 478

    The best idea for the chainset and BB is to swap over to 24mm bottom bracket and then you have a choice of makes for a 24mm axle as the parts etc are easier to replace

  • Ronaldonion
    Ronaldonion Posts: 2


    https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21099208#Comment_21099208

    Thanks Oxoman. I’ve given it a once-over and other than having to adjust the disc brakes and tweak the gear adjustment screws it was just cleaning and lubing to do. Nice to get my hands dirty on something for me rather than endless house renno jobs too 😎

    Just need to get out on it now!


    https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21099506#Comment_21099506

    Thanks Trevor. Can I convert or adapt the current 19mm crank spindle into a 24 when the time comes or is it a case of changing the whole crankset? I’m in no rush but helpful to know ahead of time.

  • trevor.hall12
    trevor.hall12 Posts: 478
    https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21100017#Comment_21100017

    No ,there's no way to adapt the 19mm spindle .

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