Bottom bracket service
08-10-22, 04:25 PM
#1
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Bottom bracket service
I upgraded the bottom bracket and don't know if I should take it apart and grease the bearings? How often?
08-10-22, 04:55 PM
#2
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8 to 25 dollar BB cartridge? Just throw it away when it goes bad and keep your hands clean and stress low. It'll probably last a lot longer than you imagine. I don't think I've ever replaced a BB for wear. Usually I get tired of the bike and get rid of it or I changed to a crank that required a different BB.
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08-10-22, 04:58 PM
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With very few exceptions, cartridge bottom brackets are not serviceable. Use it until it develops play or noise and replace it. That is likely to be a long time and many miles from now.
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08-11-22, 09:05 AM
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Most BB cartridges aren't intended to be serviceable, but many can be, given sufficient patience and determination. Given the cost of a new replacement cartridge, it's hard to make the case for servicing an old cartridge.
08-11-22, 09:56 AM
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Just to be somewhat contrarian and show when rebuilding is called for- I just mailed back to Phil & Co a 10 year old BB of theirs that had become rough and rumbly. Their retail cost to rebearing it is about $48. The new BB cost is about $175+. For this BB it is worth servicing it. But I do agree that with the vast majority of cartridge BB units the effort to rebuild is not worth it and many were not designed/assembled with any serviceability in mind. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
08-11-22, 09:10 PM
#8
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Do a youtube search on overhauling a sealed bottom bracket. It can be done, but is not really worth it. If you want to do it to say you done did it, go for it. The sealed bottom brackets are much like sealed hubs, just a bearing sitting on a sleeved axle. You use a hammer and block of wood or a dead blow hammer and just knock out one side, then place the remaining bearing over a hole that supports it and knock out the other side.
Look at ABEC ratings for bearings. Bikes don't have high loads or high rpms. You don't need super expensive bearings, just not cheap bad bearings. And, no telling what grease comes from the factory in those. Usually minimal and not the greatest. And if you do get frisky to try this, be sure to get rubber sided bearings, not metal sided. Metal won't keep water out.
Here is the youtube guy.
Look at ABEC ratings for bearings. Bikes don't have high loads or high rpms. You don't need super expensive bearings, just not cheap bad bearings. And, no telling what grease comes from the factory in those. Usually minimal and not the greatest. And if you do get frisky to try this, be sure to get rubber sided bearings, not metal sided. Metal won't keep water out.
