External bottom brackets

The place for discussions on what piece might fit where, where to buy it from, how to fit it, etc.

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MartinF
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External bottom brackets

Post by MartinF »

So what external BB's have you used, and what do you think of them?

I ask this, as I've got through 2 of them in just over year: A Raceface XC/XM which lasted about 9 months, and an expensive self-aligning BB from Velotech, which lasted about 5 months - The Exmoor Explorer finished it off; it's completely seized solid.

Has anyone found an external BB that lasts reasonably well?
It's an ill wind that never blows at all.
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dro
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eureka

Post by dro »

Can I suggest you get the same one as on the bike you sold me.
Seems great so far

LT

P.S.
What is an external BB ?
What do you mean not ENOUGH wind ?
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RaV
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BBs

Post by RaV »

Martin,

The new hope ones are reputed to be very good - ceramic or steel versions, only a couple g weight difference but ceramic is harder.

The ones I use are the BETD replacements for the Shimanos - £20 per set and mine have lasted about 18 months and are still going (mind you, I ride a different bike every week!)

Above all, before you install the new bearings - GET THE BB SHELL FACED - it makes all the difference for extending the life of the bearings.

Cheers,
Rob.
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MartinF
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Re: eureka

Post by MartinF »

dro wrote:P.S.
What is an external BB ?
It's all in the title of the thread ;)
It's an ill wind that never blows at all.
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MartinF
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Re: BBs

Post by MartinF »

RaV wrote:Martin,

The new hope ones are reputed to be very good - ceramic or steel versions, only a couple g weight difference but ceramic is harder.

The ones I use are the BETD replacements for the Shimanos - £20 per set and mine have lasted about 18 months and are still going (mind you, I ride a different bike every week!)

Above all, before you install the new bearings - GET THE BB SHELL FACED - it makes all the difference for extending the life of the bearings.

Cheers,
Rob.
Hope - yes. Everyone's trying to push them right now. Buy British and all that. But they are £85 and £100 for the stainless steel / ceramic respectively. I guess if they last 3 times longer, then they're worth it.

In fact, things have moved on this morning - Velotech have offered to replace my self-aligning BB FOC.

I also "stumbled" across a guy in E Sussex who's kindly offered me a pair of old RaceFace cups with brand new, bees knees SKF bearings pressed in, for £30. He bought a job lot of these bearings - normally £21 each - to refurb BB's for himself & a few mates.

I also called Scott UK to ask about facing the BB shell - they said it isn't really necessary as it's done in the factory, but that there's no harm to any carbon fibre/epoxy layup as the alloy shell ends are exposed beyond the carbon.

So I took the bike over to Terry's cycles in Yate this pm, and they faced it for £2. He said the faces & the threads were pretty much spot-on anyhow, but that the E-type front mech (which fits onto the BB shell) *could* affect alignment. It's food for thought, I guess; Unfortunately, I can't fit a standard band fitting front mech on my seat tube.

Anyone else have any longevity stories?
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Post by NigelP »

Just replaced my Shimano BB. They lasted 4 years and are the only bearings (& drivetrain), other than the headset, that I have not replaced.
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dro
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hm

Post by dro »

Thank you Martin for the information

BUT


What is an external bottom bracket and can you buy them in ann summers shops ?
What do you mean not ENOUGH wind ?
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MartinF
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Post by MartinF »

If Anne Summers stock them, I'd have an even better excuse for visiting ;)

Take a look here.
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Post by MartinF »

Update:

Well, the replacements didn't last long before I had to strip them down and regrease them - which I've now done a couple of times.

I've just bought a cheapish blue BB off eBay that I just fitted - let's see how that fares. They also do ceramic BBs (allegedly), though when I order the ceramic one, I was told they didn't have them in blue.

I've also bought a couple of replacement SKF bearings - SKF 6805 2RS 61805 2RS (RUBBER SEAL) BEARING 25x37x7mm - again, off eBay, which can be pressed into your BB cups. These are allegedly really good, well-sealed, long lasting bearings. Fortunately, the ROTOR self-aligning BB cups have a floating bearing holder, from which you can push out and re-insert bearings with your fingers: No expensive press required!
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