Water in bottom bracket?

[PatC]

I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose. When
they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and on
the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.

First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water bottle
mounts.

The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?


PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...

 

[Ken Marcet]

"PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
> Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
When
> they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and
on
> the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
>
> First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
> Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water bottle
> mounts.
>
> The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
> did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?
>
>
> PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...
>
I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging it
with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be an
auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not good
to be storing water in your frame.

Ken

 

[Arthur Harris]

"PatC" wrote:

> The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
> did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?

It probably got in between the seat post and seat tube. Put a good coating
of grease on the seat post, and put some caulking in the cutout of the seat
tube. The grease will also prevent the seat post from getting "frozen" in
the frame.

Art Harris

 

[Lou Holtman]

Ken Marcet wrote:
> "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
>>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
>
> When
>
>>they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and
>
> on
>
>>the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
>>
>>First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
>>Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water bottle
>>mounts.
>>
>>The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
>>did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?
>>
>>
>>PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...
>>
>
> I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging it
> with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be an
> auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not good
> to be storing water in your frame.
>
> Ken
>


Why plug it? Gravity will do fine.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

 

[Werehatrack]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:59:15 GMT, PatC <[email protected]> may have
said:

>The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
>did it get in?

Probably down the seat post, though very small amounts also could have
come past the headset and through the downtube if the headset is not
sealed and the head tube is open to the other tubes, which is usually
the case. Given the lack of ventilation and/or escape routes, the
water may have collected a few drops at a time, and even condensation
from temperature changes might have contributed if you live in a damp
climate.

> How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?

Assuming that your seatpost is not carbon, pull it out and thoroughly
grease the inside of the seat tube before reinserting the post; this
will help to seal the path against additional water intrusion. Then,
assuming that you've installed a sealed cartridge BB, drill a 1/8" or
larger hole in the bottom of the BB shell and just leave it open.
Many frames are supplied with such a hole present; it does not seem to
cause any problems. If you limit the amount of water coming in, and
allow that which intrudes to escape, the problem should be solved.


--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

 

[Dave Thompson]

PatC wrote:
> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
> funky Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it
> loose. When they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked
> underneath the BB and on the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
>
> First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in
> it. Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the
> water bottle mounts.
>
> The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so
> how did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it
> out?
>
>
> PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...

Drilling a hole at the bottom of the bottom bracket and greasing the seat
tube are both very good ideas.

Water can also accumulate via condensation; storing the bike in a cool
place, taking it to a warm environment and then returning to a cool place. A
hole in the bottom bracket and occasional removal of the seat for several
days when not using the bike will allow water to escape. Or you could keep
your bike in the house which may ******** the wife, but you won't have
condensation problems! <grin>

 

[Ken Marcet]

"Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ken Marcet wrote:
> > "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
funky
> >>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
> >
> > When
> >
> >>they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and
> >
> > on
> >
> >>the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
> >>
> >>First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
> >>Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water
bottle
> >>mounts.
> >>
> >>The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so
how
> >>did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?
> >>
> >>
> >>PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...
> >>
> >
> > I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging
it
> > with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be
an
> > auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not
good
> > to be storing water in your frame.
> >
> > Ken
> >
>
>
> Why plug it? Gravity will do fine.
>
> Lou
> --
Well yeah for draining, but you wouldn't want road grime and dust / dirt
getting up in there.

> Posted by news://news.nb.nu

 

[Lou Holtman]

Ken Marcet wrote:
> "Lou Holtman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Ken Marcet wrote:
>>
>>>"PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>>>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
>
> funky
>
>>>>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
>>>
>>>When
>>>
>>>
>>>>they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and
>>>
>>>on
>>>
>>>
>>>>the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
>>>>
>>>>First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
>>>>Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water
>
> bottle
>
>>>>mounts.
>>>>
>>>>The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so
>
> how
>
>>>>did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...
>>>>
>>>
>>>I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging
>
> it
>
>>>with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be
>
> an
>
>>>auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not
>
> good
>
>>>to be storing water in your frame.
>>>
>>>Ken
>>>
>>
>>
>>Why plug it? Gravity will do fine.
>>
>>Lou
>>--
>
> Well yeah for draining, but you wouldn't want road grime and dust / dirt
> getting up in there.

That's no problem with a cartridge bottom bracket. Leave the hole open
so you can't forget to unplug it.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

 

[Tom Sherman]

Dave Thompson wrote:

> ...
> Water can also accumulate via condensation; storing the bike in a cool
> place, taking it to a warm environment and then returning to a cool place. A
> hole in the bottom bracket and occasional removal of the seat for several
> days when not using the bike will allow water to escape. Or you could keep
> your bike in the house which may ******** the wife, but you won't have
> condensation problems! <grin>

You could trade in your wife for a cycling compatible model.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)

 

[A Muzi]

> "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
>>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
> > When
>>they did, water poured out on the floor.
-snip-

Ken Marcet wrote:
> I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging it
> with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be an
> auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not good
> to be storing water in your frame.

What's the plug for?
A hole is sufficient.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

 

[Ken Marcet]

"A Muzi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]..
> >>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
funky
> >>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
> > > When
> >>they did, water poured out on the floor.
> -snip-
>
> Ken Marcet wrote:
> > I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging
it
> > with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be
an
> > auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not
good
> > to be storing water in your frame.
>
> What's the plug for?
> A hole is sufficient.
>
Well I was thinking you might not want road grime / dust / dirt getting in
there, even with a sealed bb it might degrade the seals slightly quicker.


> --
> Andrew Muzi
> www.yellowjersey.org
> Open every day since 1 April, 1971

 

[41]

PatC wrote:
> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
funky
> Centaur BB

What's funky about a Centaur BB? T

 

[Qui Si Parla Campagnolo]

Ken Marcet wrote:
> "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
>>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
>
> When
>
>>they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and
>
> on
>
>>the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.
>>
>>First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
>>Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water bottle
>>mounts.
>>
>>The bike has had about 2000 miles of opportunity to collect water, so how
>>did it get in? How should I get it out, and how should I keep it out?
>>
>>
>>PS - it's an all-aluminum frame, if you want to suggest drilling...
>>
>
> I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging it
> with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be an
> auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not good
> to be storing water in your frame.
>
> Ken
>

Drill the hole and leave it open.

 

[RonSonic]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 05:34:30 -0500, "Ken Marcet" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"A Muzi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> > "PatC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> > news:[email protected]..
>> >>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
>funky
>> >>Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose.
>> > > When
>> >>they did, water poured out on the floor.
>> -snip-
>>
>> Ken Marcet wrote:
>> > I would suggest drilling a small hole in the bb shell, and then plugging
>it
>> > with a rubber plug or stopper, a good place to look for a plug would be
>an
>> > auto parts store, Or even a home / harware store. It is definatley not
>good
>> > to be storing water in your frame.
>>
>> What's the plug for?
>> A hole is sufficient.
>>
>Well I was thinking you might not want road grime / dust / dirt getting in
>there, even with a sealed bb it might degrade the seals slightly quicker.

Apparently that's a nonissue. Traditionally the artisan builders have cut a
rectangular window or taken the opportunity to do something interesting like
playing card suits or letters.

Ron

 

[RonSonic]

On 21 Mar 2005 03:14:13 -0800, "41" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>PatC wrote:
>> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
>funky
>> Centaur BB
>
>What's funky about a Centaur BB? T

Apparently it has cooties. There's a lot of negative buzz about it that strikes
me as received lore and exaggeration.

Ron

 

[Dave Thompson]

Tom Sherman wrote:
> Dave Thompson wrote:
>
>> ...
>> Water can also accumulate via condensation; storing the bike in a
>> cool place, taking it to a warm environment and then returning to a
>> cool place. A hole in the bottom bracket and occasional removal of
>> the seat for several days when not using the bike will allow water
>> to escape. Or you could keep your bike in the house which may ****
>> off the wife, but you won't have condensation problems! <grin>
>
> You could trade in your wife for a cycling compatible model.
Luckily, my wife is my riding partner so there are no problems there. She's
the kind that dogs me, pretty much regularly, about getting out and going
for a ride. I hate it when that happens!

 

[A Muzi]

>>>PatC wrote:
>>>I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
>>>funky Centaur BB

>> On 21 Mar 2005 03:14:13 -0800, "41" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>What's funky about a Centaur BB? T

RonSonic wrote:
> Apparently it has cooties. There's a lot of negative buzz about it that strikes
> me as received lore and exaggeration.

It's a well designed piece recombining existing proven
Campagnolo bits. Perhaps someone's uninspired by the color
or some other small aesthetic point ?


--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

 

[David L. Johnson]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:59:15 +0000, PatC wrote:

> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the funky
> Centaur BB, and took it by the bike shop to have them break it loose. When
> they did, water poured out on the floor. I looked underneath the BB and on
> the chainstays, and there are no drain holes.

The holes you see on some bikes, on the stays, are not drain holes,
either. They are there to let heated air out during welding/brazing,
which would othewise ruin the weld/brazing.
>
> First, I avoid riding in the rain, but I occasionally get caught in it.
> Next, it appears there are some decent size holes around the water
> bottle mounts.

The water is most likely getting in around the seatpost collar. A lot of
water splashes up there in the rain. Grease the seatpost well before you
re-insert it.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster." --Greg LeMond
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |

 

[David L. Johnson]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 08:18:49 -0800, Dave Thompson wrote:

> Drilling a hole at the bottom of the bottom bracket

Drilling a hole in the bottom of the bottom bracket always strikes me like
Curly Joe drilling a hole in the bottom of a boat to let the water out.

> and greasing the seat
> tube are both very good ideas.
>
> Water can also accumulate via condensation; storing the bike in a cool
> place, taking it to a warm environment and then returning to a cool
> place.

Uh, no. There is about 2 liters of air inside the tubes of a bike. How
much water do you think is in that air? It is a very, very small amount.
The air also circulates very poorly, so you don't exchange much warm air
for cold air in the process you describe. There is essentially no water
getting in that way.

Water may condense on the outside of the bike if it is cooler than the
air, but in that process a large volume of air circulates past the cold
metal, giving up water as it passes.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Enron's slogan: Respect, Communication, Integrity, and
_`\(,_ | Excellence.
(_)/ (_) |

 

[PatC]

"41" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1111403653.615439.189490
@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

>
> PatC wrote:
>> I recently replaced my Capy Centaur 53/39 with a compact. I had the
> funky
>> Centaur BB
>
> What's funky about a Centaur BB? T
>

Sorry - I've been out of town for a while. It was the one with the teeth
on the outside, which requires a special tool, that doesn't fit any modern
Campy BB's.