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Hey folks. On a recently bought Spesh Camber comp…. its a basic Shimano BB which is starting to feel kinda "grindy" after only a few weeks……been very muddy and wet here last few weeks and bikes seen a lot of rain and crap and washing etc. Anyways….I'm looking to upgrade my BB, cranks are Octalink….any recommendations for a hardy, long lasting and maintenance/service free BB and what do I measure as to sizing options so I dont order the wrong size BB. Also same question for the headset……hardiness and longevity a basic requirement….it rains a lot in Fort William 🙂 Is there such a thing as maintenance free bearings for us mud pluggers?
Cheers folks
Without changing to a different system, you're pretty much stuck with a Shimano ES51(or possibly the Dura ace or 105 roadie equivalent, though not sure if it's compatible with MTB chainset), Shimano were the only ones to make Octalink BBs as far as i'm aware.
The roadie BBs aren't compatible
I've just given up using Octalink after using up the last of my stock of ES71s last year, I just can't be bothered chasing them down any more
Shame really they last a good while before failing
I've just taken my cranks off an octalink BB too and am more than likely going to take the opportunity to replace the cranks as well as the BB.
BBs come in sizes displayed as, for example, 68/113.
The first number refers to the width of the bottom bracket on the frame, from left to right and should be 68 or 73, I believe. The second is the length of the axle, Octalinks seem to be 113, 121, or 126. Could only find the 126 on Madison, no-one else seems to sell them, but they're selling them for about £26.
For not much more you could pick up a 2nd hand pair of cranks and BB on here.
simonac,
Check CRC....last week they had some octalink BBs starting at £5.
Good hunting...
PaulD
I replaced mine last week, came off ebay, a 73mm x 118mm octalink.
Paid £12.99 i think and got it within 2 days.
I have never had to hunt one down and reliability shouldnt really be an issue with them.
I only swapped mine due to another frame having a wider bb shell.
[url= http://www.bike24.com/1.php?ID=b09d79ee59cfea6ed9d74a8477d9040e&content=13&search=octalink ]Lots and lots of Octalink BB's here[/url] I bought 2 XT ones and so far not had to use the back up one, despite the Octalink being on the bike I ignore except to oil the chain a bit.
I lumped an order together as postage makes things a bit more expensive.
Cheers for all the links. It was the 126 axle that caused me problems though, honest! 😳
I had a similar problem - ended up thinking balls to it all and bought a Hollowtech II crank (deore - M590 iirc) from bike 24 for about £5) posted.
Went on so easily, and I didn't have to buy crank extractor/BB tool etc (luckily had a external BB tool in my kit.
Rich
Thanks for the replies folks…much appreciated….So, kinda limited choice, BB wise, for my cranks then, guessing I may upgrade them sometime in the future then. In the meantime, is the BB on my bike serviceable then, is it worth whipping it off, cleaning and regreasing?
is the BB on my bike serviceable then,
..... in a word, No
although I vaguely remember seeing something about someone splitting one