What 3-piece BB?

[Mr Black]

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with my current cranks and external BB so fancy a change rather than just constantly replacing shagged BBs. Thinking of going back to the BMX-style cranks that were originally on the Absolut - any suggestions for a heavy-duty BB to match?

[jimjam]

What way are you riding? Just get a good external bb and crankset and forget about them. My saints have never given me any jip.

[mck_776]

I have profile cranks on my hardtail and would highly recommend them

As far as i know they come in all BB sizes now too

[Mr Black]

What way are you riding?This is me, so abusive and un-smooth would be a good start...

Currently on Charge Regular cranks and the second or third BB in 18 months, but the constant creaking and loosening of the left crank no matter how much I grease/degrease/dry/tighten it is winding me up something shocking.

[trailfox]

Currently on Charge Regular cranks and the second or third BB in 18 months, but the constant creaking and loosening of the left crank no matter how much I grease/degrease/dry/tighten it is winding me up something shocking.

Ditto about the loosening and creaking, my non-drive side crank keeps creaking bad under pedalling... my non drive side crank fell off once during pedalling (ouch :-)) because it loosened without me noticing. I lost the wee plastic washer thing from the crank-bolt and it's been creaking ever since... It's weird:confused: .
I've ordered an m15 self-extracting crank bolt from CRC today to see if that will fix the prob. But would it be something more serious, BB perhaps.
I'm using a Truativ Blaze (2 chainrings) crankset BTW

[PeteMcD]

I think you would be hard pushed to bust a set of saints. The BBs are ok. And tend to wear out from too many miles, rather than too much abuse. They're only £30 if you do knacker them.

Failing that Profiles are probably the way to go. But they are a headache and a half to get on or off.

I'd choose the 'easy to work with' option over the 'unbustable, but immovable' option anyday. ie. Saints

[PeteMcD]

Ditto about the loosening and creaking, my non-drive side crank keeps creaking bad under pedalling... my non drive side crank fell off once during pedalling (ouch :-)) because it loosened without me noticing. I lost the wee plastic washer thing from the crank-bolt and it's been creaking ever since... It's weird:confused: .
I've ordered an m15 self-extracting crank bolt from CRC today to see if that will fix the prob. But would it be something more serious, BB perhaps.
I'm using a Truativ Blaze (2 chainrings) crankset BTW

Can be a multitude of things. But most likely that the crank bolt came loose (LH unscrew more often than the RH because the way you pedal, naturally loosens the bolt), so the crank worked loose and the taper (or splines) got damaged. So now, no matter how much you tighten it up, there isn't a perfect fit, there's a little tiny tiny bit of play (that'd be your creak), and it will work its way loose again soon.

Usually the crank arm is the first thing to be damaged. You might get away with just replacing that if you're lucky. If the BB has been damaged, then you'll need a new one of them too.

Truvativ Blaze is a budget crankset. If its square taper, I'd replace the whole lot with a set of hones (reliable and sturdy but cheaper than saints), and if its splined, I'd probably do the same....

[trailfox]

They're splined... Would the replacement bolt help it any?
Getting a whole new BB and cranks (sounds the more sensible but more expensive idea) sounds like a big step, would that have to be done professionally?


EDIT:
You mean this (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=10283) Pete?

[Mr Black]

You can install a BB yourself if you're careful - I've done it so anyone can! Of course, you can also install it yourself if you're not careful and that can get more expensive...

You'll need a special tool to tighten the BB, so if you're swapping between types that might be two you need, and then a basic set of allen keys. Just grease it up well and make sure to get the cups on the right side, then work out how many spacers you need and carefully screw them into place.

Pete - guessing the same thing applies to any splined cranks? Looking like I'll have to get a new set then :( The Hones seem alright but I really like the look of BMX-style cranks, Profiles or the like - any suggestions on what to get that won't die on me?

[PeteMcD]

They're splined... Would the replacement bolt help it any?
Getting a whole new BB and cranks (sounds the more sensible but more expensive idea) sounds like a big step, would that have to be done professionally?


EDIT:
You mean this (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=10283) Pete?

Yeah, I mean those.

The plastic washer doesn't do anything other than make it look flush. If the cranks actually worked their way off I'd almost guarantee they're damaged and need to be replaced.

Ideally your BB should be faced, so that your bearings last as long as possible. If you buy from realcycles, I think you should get the BB faced and the cranks fitted included in the price. They're £100 fitted if I remember correctly.

You can do it yourself with this (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4062) tool. But you can trash your frame if you mess it up. I'd leave it to the pros this time!

[PeteMcD]

Pete - guessing the same thing applies to any splined cranks? Looking like I'll have to get a new set then :( The Hones seem alright but I really like the look of BMX-style cranks, Profiles or the like - any suggestions on what to get that won't die on me?

I was thinking saints for you sir...they're 'phat'!

tbh, I'm not familiar with all the nu-scool street and dirt jump (bmx wannabe) bits.....

[trailfox]

I tightened them up good and well after they fell off and they havent loosened yet (about 2-3 months). Would I have saved them in time or would the damage have already been done?
What If I didn't replace the cranks soonish? If I had a look at my cranks/splined bb what signs of wear should I look out for if they're damaged?

[PeteMcD]

I tightened them up good and well after they fell off and they havent loosened yet (about 2-3 months). Would I have saved them in time or would the damage have already been done?
What If I didn't replace the cranks soonish? If I had a look at my cranks/splined bb what signs of wear should I look out for if they're damaged?

falling off would have done the damage. You might have saved them if you'd tightened them up before they fell off...they were probably creaking then...

If they're staying tight, then you can probably keep running them.. If the creaking is bothering you, then you kinda have no choice but to replace them. You could try greasing them or something, but you can't polish a turd, as they say...

You'd need to take them off to check for damage (for that you'll need a crank extractor). You'd be looking for the edges worn off the splines on the crank. Can be hard to spot with all that manky grease in there. But the creaking would suggest they aren't a perfect fit.

Kinda gone off Mr Black's original topic here. Should probably have started a new thread if you needed specific advice. Though I rose to it....

[trailfox]

Hmm... I can remember that when they fell off there was no grease around the splines, maybe thats what is encouraging the creaking?

[PeteMcD]

Hmm... I can remember that when they fell off there was no grease around the splines, maybe thats what is encouraging the creaking?

worth a try...

[Mr Black]

Never worry pete - I went off my own original topic anyway!

Saints would be nice but a tad costly, I was planning on going back to 3-piece since I still have those cranks knocking around so all I needed was the BB - except I have no idea what type to buy! Looking at the Commencal site they appear to have dropped the 3-piece cranks from the Absoluts after 06 though...

[Mr Black]

So I've just sheared off the bolt head that clamps my left crank onto the axle. Arse. New stuff time!