Fitting cartridge BBs

I'm not sure the advice is good for all BBs. What make and model do you
have?

~PB

Paul Davis wrote:
/snip

Quoted message said:

Is this correct? It would be handy if it was since my torque wrench
only works for righthand threads but the Shimano instructions suggest
that both the cartridge and adapter should be tightened.

Ideally, I reckon both sides should be fairly tight but you really don't
need a torque wrench for that.

In any case, with cartridge units, quite often you'll find the bearings
start to bind before it's as tight as you'd like, probably caused by poor
shell facing.

~PB

In article <[email hidden]>, Pete Biggs

Quoted message said:

Ideally, I reckon both sides should be fairly tight but you really
don't need a torque wrench for that.

I use a 12" stillson with a sutable adapter and pull it up as tight
as possible.

Quoted message said:

In any case, with cartridge units, quite often you'll find the
bearings start to bind before it's as tight as you'd like, probably
caused by poor shell facing.

Not in my experience.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net

Sandy Morton said:

Quoted message said:

In any case, with cartridge units, quite often you'll find the
bearings start to bind before it's as tight as you'd like, probably
caused by poor shell facing.

Not in my experience.

I've had bad luck then. Anyone fitting cartridge BB's should tighten a
little at a time and keep checking the spindle turns freely, in case they
experience the same problem.

~PB

In article <[email hidden]>, Pete Biggs

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Not in my experience.

Quoted message said:

I've had bad luck then. Anyone fitting cartridge BB's should
tighten a little at a time and keep checking the spindle turns
freely, in case they experience the same problem.

I think you may have been unlucky or used a poorly made one. I've
fitted 27 this year so far and the only problem has been when I
forget to loosen the cable guide screw:-(

I'll post the make if anyone is interested.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net

Assuming the cartridge unit screws in from the right (i.e. the adapter is on the left) and is of the flanged type:

There is no minimum torque requirement for the right side; just screw it in until the flange is snug against the bottom bracket shell. The left hand side needs to be tightened to the specified torque.

Ian

Sandy Morton said:

I've fitted 27 this year so far

Golly; you wear them out quickly. :-)

Ian

On 22/8/04 10:01 am, in article
[email hidden], "wheelsgoround"

Quoted message said:

Sandy Morton said:

I've fitted 27 this year so far

Golly; you wear them out quickly. :-)

That's because his bikes do probably over a hundred thousand miles a year
;-)

...d

Quoted message said:

That's because his bikes do probably over a hundred thousand miles a year
;-)

Respect. Nearly 300 miles a day.

On such a small island too. :-)

"Paul Davis

Quoted message said:

Is this correct? It would be handy if it was since my torque wrench only
works for righthand threads but the Shimano instructions suggest that both
the cartridge and adapter should be tightened.

Any thoughts?
PJay.

I tighten the BB using the fixed ring until it is reasonably tight,
actually until it stops but not over tight, then fit the removable one
and tighten it until it is reasonably tight, then give it a bit more.
Not scientific I know but I don't have a torque wrench. Its all worked
so far for me.

Sandy Morton said:

Quoted message said:

I've had bad luck then. Anyone fitting cartridge BB's should
tighten a little at a time and keep checking the spindle turns
freely, in case they experience the same problem.

I think you may have been unlucky or used a poorly made one.

It was with Campagnolo Mirage & Centaur and Shimano UN73 BBs. These are
decent quality jobs, unlikely to be poorly made. I believe the problem is
with the bike frames, not the BBs themselves. A side affect of unparellel
or uneven shell faces is binding, with cartridge types at least. There
may be some other problem with the frames as well that I don't understand.

Quoted message said:

I've
fitted 27 this year so far and the only problem has been when I
forget to loosen the cable guide screw:-(

I'll post the make if anyone is interested.

Yes please, and models. I'd be more interested to know the sort of bikes,
though.

My last three problems were with modern road and mountain bikes, that
perhaps were not finished properly or were poorly made? One of the exact
same BB's that didn't work well in one bike (when fully tightened) worked
perfectly well when handed down to my 1980s Raleigh tourer. Fortunately,
the BBs in the other bikes that I left a bit loose have not unscrewed
themselves. Ideally, I should have the shells faced in case that helps.

~PB