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I have a Boardman ADV 8.9. Had it about 3 months now (approx. 1000 miles).
The bottom bracket has started making horrendous squeaking noises. It is definitely the bottom bracket as it only happens when I am pedalling. I took it apart last night and cleaned it all and re-greased it which did improve it on the commute in this morning but it still squeaked if I want to put any power down.
The bearing didn't seem to bad but obviously it isn't going to last much longer (in as much as I cant put up with the noise - at least people hear me coming!)
The bottom bracket is a FSA Mega Exo, with a FSA Omega Adventure Crankset.
Can I replace with a Shimano instead? I wasn't sure if it would fit the cranks etc and cant find any information that might point me in the right direction. Looking at reviews on wiggle it isn't uncommon for this type of bottom bracket to wear out quickly.
Awful, cheap tat. I went to the bother of replacing a BB. It was expensive and didn’t last much longer than the first unsurprisingly.
I replaced with a tiagra chainset and Shimano BB for not much more than another FSA BB.
Not a squeak or creak since.
A quick search shows the BB is Hollowtech II compatible (24mm spindle) so you should be able to replace it with something decent.
jambo - that quickly seems to be the realisation I am coming too. The FSA bottom brackets seem to be around £35. A Tiagra crankset is £65. I can get £5 off with a Merlin voucher although I cant seem to use my 7.5% loyalty discount for some reason.
Only issue is that the 10 speed Tiagra is a 50t 34t whereas my current set up is 48-34. I assume that I can just shift the front mech up a bit and this will fit no problems? The ratios aren't a huge issue to me especially as I am getting fitter anyway,
@whitestone. That's what I thought initially but the below seems to suggest it is 19mm diameter which means I am stuck with FSA.
https://shop.fullspeedahead.com/en/type/cranksets/omega-crankset-4546
Crimes against cycling - squeaky bb's.
Yes Shimano one will work. Hope even better,for longer. Imo.
It's cheaper to buy a new Shimsno chainset and BB, than keep on with the silly expensive 19mm spindle FSA. We had one on our paperound hybrid.
@robbo1234biking - we might have looked at different models in the Mega Exo range, I think my search came up with Gossamer rather than Omega.
As others have said, it's probably cheaper (and quieter) in the long run to ditch the FSA and go with Shimano. Depending on how close your front mech is to your existing large chainring you might be able to get away with its current location, should be a couple of mm gap between cage and teeth.
Cheers @whitestone - Looks like a new chainset it is then. Cant even see the FSA Omega chainsets shifting on ebay! There are quite a few for sale with no bids on them. Prob a lot of people have experienced the same issue.
This looks like what I will replace it with then:
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-tiagra-4700-chainset-10-speed-92832.html
Tiagra crankset ordered (I really should be getting on with some work). Shouldn't take too long to fit and readjust the front mech hopefully.
Could have been pedals or even jockey wheels if squeaking when pedalling.
Pretty confident it is the Bottom Bracket. After the strip clean and regrease last night it was better this morning (no noise when spinning along) but creaking again when under load. Yesterday it was creaking even when spinning along. Pedals are very new so don't think it is them and jockey wheels were removed and checked about a week ago.
Bugger it. Chainset didn’t come with a bottom bracket. Is that normal?
i have brought a deore and slx chainset for the mtb in the past and they both came with a bottom bracket so just assumed this would too.
Off to order a shimano bottom bracket now to match the chainset.
I bought one from CRC that specifically said it didn’t include a BB. So I bought one to go with it.
Crank turned up with a BB, plus the one I ordered.
Creaks & squeaks may also be loose/dry chainring bolts. I'd loosen and regrease those first before splashing out on a new chain set and BB ...
If it's an threaded BB and if you move to Hollowtech II ... maybe spend the money and order an Shimano SAINT BB.
The Saint BB is just fantastic.
Strangely, but important: after assembly of all the stuff and doing the first rides... - you need to RE-TIGHTEN the Shimano crank (two small bolts, non drive side, cank).
It's written in the Shimano procedure. This connection will "settle". And if you don't do it the crank will move a bit "out" and allows dirt and crap to enter the space between crank and BB bearing. And this will kill the BB.
Easy procedure. Don't forget it...!
It's a a road chainset why would he want a Shimano Saint BB.
I've never had a squeaky bottom bracket - rumbles, clunks and clicks, yes but never squeaks so i think i'd be looking elsewhere for the cause first.
My old S Works M4 had a square taper BB that didn't require changing in close to ten years of regular use. Modern BB's seem to struggle to last six months.