Question about external bearing BBs.

[BurlyShirley]

Was considering buying a new crankset from the LBS, and they said that my BB shell would have to be faced in order for them to install the thing.
I dont let the LBS do anything except maybe press in a headset for me, but is this necessary?

Or can I just remove the paint, or do I even need to do that?

[Biscuit]

Any misalignment with external bb's will cause the bearings to wear out prematurely. Facing is highly recommended by the manufacturers.

Basically, you don't need to. It's just cheap insurance to make your parts last longer.

[MOTODH]

Yeah its easier to face the bb and headset then ruin a frame or component. The LBS has the right tools and it would probably be a safer bet

[stiksandstones]

Any misalignment with external bb's will cause the bearings to wear out prematurely. Facing is highly recommended by the manufacturers.

Basically, you don't need to. It's just cheap insurance to make your parts last longer.

I second that emotion-nicely put.

[BurlyShirley]

thank you guys for the answer. I am more apt to believe random posters on RM than the LBS mechanics. What does that say about my confidence in bike shop mechs?

anyway, I knew RM would come through. Thanks.

[Radarr]

thank you guys for the answer. I am more apt to believe random posters on RM than the LBS mechanics. What does that say about my confidence in bike shop mechs?

anyway, I knew RM would come through. Thanks.

Have you ever considered going to a new shop, perhaps one with decent mechanics?

[BurlyShirley]

Have you ever considered going to a new shop, perhaps one with decent mechanics?
Um. I live in nashville.

[Radarr]

Um. I live in nashville.

Is there only one shop in Nashville?

The only reason I mentioned going to a new shop is because we have three shops in the area I live in. Two of them I wouldn't let near my bike with a bottle of chain lube, but the other has a couple old guys I really trust them to know what they're doing. It was a trial and error process to find the good shop, but now I have a shop where I can get anything, like faced BB shells, done right

[BurlyShirley]

There are a couple shops and they are mostly roadie oriented. Simple stuff they can do just fine on, but if I needed a fork rebuilt, hydro brakes worked on, help with setting up suspension, I wouldnt go to any of the shops. Basically, they know basic bike maint. They do have tools, ie. headset press, facing tool, star nut punch, and other things I dont have, which is the only reason I visit. Otherwise I can handle it or send it off.
In this case, they can face my BB shell, no real worries. But most of the time, its worthless to go to any LBS in nashville.

[Radarr]

Huh. Didn't know Nashville was like that.

Which crankset are you considering?

[BurlyShirley]

Huh. Didn't know Nashville was like that.

Which crankset are you considering?
The saint right now, but I also came across a good deal on the Hone set today online. Im not worried about weight savings, just something that will last a while. I go through hussefelts like nobodys business.

[Castle]

I would recommend it (in the manual they basically say it's a must)..... Facing/Chasing b.b.'s is something all shops should be very familiar with no matter the discipline. (road/mtn whatever)

If you aren't confident in your bike shop mech's I'd def. go look for one who I was confident in, what a crappy feeling.....

[JRB]

I didn't face the haro's and it has been fine. I too would be reluctant to use the shop here for facing. I likely won't face the Reign either. I don't believe the required spacers on exteral BBs can be perfect, and the spacing of using FSAs spacers the way they recommend destroys the chainline. I used the backwards method and it is perfect so I don't worry too much. I may end up being wrong, but that's my take. What do you do to the hussefelts??? BBs or arms??? I am planning to buy a brand new set from someone next week for cheap. Should I not???

[BurlyShirley]

I dont know if its because I swap the pedals out alot and am always messing with my BB, but the splines kind of mash out alot and they start to wobble eventually. Also, the threads have a tendency to disintigrate, but Im told newer versions have corrected that. Ive used them a long time, numerous sets even, but they're all wearing out right now.

[JRB]

Hmm - I am just looking at some arms that have the inserts. I am sure these will land on the Haro and get flat pedals that stay on for urban crap, so I may go ahead and try them. Is $40 or $45 too much for arms???

[Sir_Crackien]

well think about this many companies that use external bb's on their bikes and they have little to no problems with the bb's getting messed up. i know this from experance, i have worked at a shop for a long time and have seen many problems with bikes but most of the time facing the sureface make very little differance in the long run. as f now i have run 2 very different ext. bb crank set and faced none of the bike that they were put on. though this time the bb's have always felt just fine.

here is one othr thing i bet most of you have not done to your bike and you are suppose to due. that is to face the crown on your fork. most people face the headtube and call it good but from my experance most headset related problems go to poor install or a crown that just needs to be faced

[BurlyShirley]

Hmm - I am just looking at some arms that have the inserts. I am sure these will land on the Haro and get flat pedals that stay on for urban crap, so I may go ahead and try them. Is $40 or $45 too much for arms???
Nah, theyre probably worth that. They are good cranks and all, Im just really tired of mine as they are worn all to hell. Get them for that price, I say.

[JRB]

Good point, sir crackien. Of all the bikes I have built for the shop here, I have never seen BB shells faced.

[MikeD]

Since there seem to be some external-BB dudes hanging around here, Burly, I'm gonna jump yer thread.

What BB tool do I need to install Shimano external BB cups? Looks like an outboard spline...does this mean it's the standard Shimano type, or something new I've gotta buy?

Thanks,
MD

[sanjuro]

There are a couple shops and they are mostly roadie oriented. Simple stuff they can do just fine on, but if I needed a fork rebuilt, hydro brakes worked on, help with setting up suspension, I wouldnt go to any of the shops. Basically, they know basic bike maint. They do have tools, ie. headset press, facing tool, star nut punch, and other things I dont have, which is the only reason I visit. Otherwise I can handle it or send it off.
In this case, they can face my BB shell, no real worries. But most of the time, its worthless to go to any LBS in nashville.
Road shops are typically the best with bb refacing, headtube reaming, etc, because road frames used to require the all the time.

However, since road frames are a rarity, as well as the high end frame makers taking care of these details for shops, now mountain frames are showing low quality threads, etc...

[Biscuit]

Since there seem to be some external-BB dudes hanging around here, Burly, I'm gonna jump yer thread.

What BB tool do I need to install Shimano external BB cups? Looks like an outboard spline...does this mean it's the standard Shimano type, or something new I've gotta buy?

Thanks,
MD
I've only used the Truvativ bb's, but I'm almost certain it requires a different tool. The truvativ one is like a big, flat, closed end wrench that locks on to the external splines of the bb cup.

[JRB]

Since there seem to be some external-BB dudes hanging around here, Burly, I'm gonna jump yer thread.

What BB tool do I need to install Shimano external BB cups? Looks like an outboard spline...does this mean it's the standard Shimano type, or something new I've gotta buy?

Thanks,
MD
Something new. The Park tool is the BBT-9. I have seen some open versions, but have not seen a socket type. I would like to have something like that. Here's a cheaper option that I would have bought.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14592-325_SETHT5-2-Accessories-42-Tools/Sette-Torx-ST-27-Hollowtech-II-Bottom-Bracket-Tool.htm

[MikeD]

Goddamn it. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Biscuit]

I dont know if its because I swap the pedals out alot and am always messing with my BB, but the splines kind of mash out alot and they start to wobble eventually. Also, the threads have a tendency to disintigrate, but Im told newer versions have corrected that. Ive used them a long time, numerous sets even, but they're all wearing out right now.
Swapping pedals out will eventually wear down any aluminum crank. Grease is a necessity too.
The older hussefelts would strip pedal threads pretty easily. They now have steel inserts. My Holzfellers have held up well.

With truvativ stuff, always use pedal washers. Makes the treads last much longer.


And....
When you say it starts to "wobble", do you mean the crank to the bb attachment? The only thing I can think of that would cause this is you may have "improper" crank bolts.

The newer ones have two built in washers like this:
http://www.universalcycles.com/images/products/medium/303.jpg

If you have older ones without the two fixed washers, you need to have the additional small, removable washer on there. Else you will start to deform the crank.

[davep]

Since there seem to be some external-BB dudes hanging around here, Burly, I'm gonna jump yer thread.

What BB tool do I need to install Shimano external BB cups? Looks like an outboard spline...does this mean it's the standard Shimano type, or something new I've gotta buy?

Thanks,
MD

You do need a new tool there are flat wrench type ones from park and shimano as well as a 1/2" drive socket version fron shimano as well. Do you have the cranks yet? The shimano externals that i have seen (saints) include the flat wrench tool in the box...

[dhkid]

Since there seem to be some external-BB dudes hanging around here, Burly, I'm gonna jump yer thread.

What BB tool do I need to install Shimano external BB cups? Looks like an outboard spline...does this mean it's the standard Shimano type, or something new I've gotta buy?

Thanks,
MD
the tool comes with every set of xtr cranksets. not sure about siant or any of the other cranks.

[Bicyclist]

Is $40 or $45 too much for arms???

I just got rid of some for $25 with 2 chainrings and bolts, so yes.

[JRB]

I just got rid of some for $25 with 2 chainrings and bolts, so yes.
Brand new???