Bottom bracket "gone"?

Brewski78

My cannondale supersix has started to make some "clickety" noises that seem to come from the bottom bracket area even when I'm freewheeling and it seems to be getting worse.

Had a service a while back and they pointed out that the bearings might be gone/worn - this was before I noticed the noise. Should this happen after only 18 months? Is it expensive/difficult to replace a bottom bracket?

Just want to get an idea price wise before I go about getting it replaced. An advice appreciated thanks.

CramCycle

Brewski78 wrote: »

My cannondale supersix has started to make some "clickety" noises that seem to come from the bottom bracket area even when I'm freewheeling and it seems to be getting worse.

Had a service a while back and they pointed out that the bearings might be gone/worn - this was before I noticed the noise. Should this happen after only 18 months? Is it expensive/difficult to replace a bottom bracket?

Just want to get an idea price wise before I go about getting it replaced. An advice appreciated thanks.

Depends on the BB type and what you consider expensive. But BBs are generally between 15 and 30euro and fitting them is about the same if you get the bike shop to do it.

Brewski78

Great thanks, was worried it'd be at least €100 or more even, as the guy doing the service mentioned crank compatibility and I was a little bamboozled tbh.

CramCycle

Brewski78 wrote: »

Great thanks, was worried it'd be at least €100 or more even, as the guy doing the service mentioned crank compatibility and I was a little bamboozled tbh.

What cranks are on your bike at the minute?

lennymc

if its a cannondale i would be pretty certain its a bb30.

EDIT - 18 months out of a bb30 doesnt sound too bad. I have heard of worse.

CramCycle

lennymc wrote: »

if its a cannondale i would be pretty certain its a bb30.

EDIT - 18 months out of a bb30 doesnt sound too bad. I have heard of worse.

Missed that, Joe Dalys replaced my BB30 with a bottom of the range Tiagra one for about 25euro including labour a few years ago, can't imagine its much more nowadays. Having done it myself since then, its a piss easy job but you need the right tool to take it off, I sold mine so can't help you there.

lennymc

guide here

Brewski78

Thanks a million for the advice, might let the shop take care of it otherwise I'll end up on the "I've done something to my bike" thread! The cranks are FSA.

ratracer

You say the noise is still there when you are free wheeling, this may not be a BB problem, perhaps a wheel bearing? If it is the BB, when you are not pedalling there should be no noise.

DubVelo

ratracer wrote: »

You say the noise is still there when you are free wheeling, this may not be a BB problem, perhaps a wheel bearing? If it is the BB, when you are not pedalling there should be no noise.

+1

Exactly. It's not your BB, look elsewhere.

CramCycle

ratracer wrote: »

You say the noise is still there when you are free wheeling, this may not be a BB problem, perhaps a wheel bearing? If it is the BB, when you are not pedalling there should be no noise.

Must start reading posts properly before posting

Brewski78

Maybe yeah, he also pointed that out for the rear wheel at the time. I'm upgrading the wheels anyway but it could be both as I can almost feel the "clicks" vibrate through the cranks if that makes sense?

ratracer

Brewski78 wrote: »

Maybe yeah, he also pointed that out for the rear wheel at the time. I'm upgrading the wheels anyway but it could be both as I can almost feel the "clicks" vibrate through the cranks if that makes sense?

I wouldn't take out the BB until after you try out the new wheels in that case.

ford2600

Brewski78 wrote: »

Maybe yeah, he also pointed that out for the rear wheel at the time. I'm upgrading the wheels anyway but it could be both as I can almost feel the "clicks" vibrate through the cranks if that makes sense?

Every noise on bike seems to be bottom bracket!

There are a of of other potential sources, eg seat post, wheel bearings, loose spoke, stem handlebar,

Someone posted an article here before on annoying bike noise and a mechanics step by step solution.

I have an annoying noise myself; have just done wheel bearings and headset, grease front and rear wheel dropouts last night so maybe that was it.

Take the positive out of it; you'll end up with a bike in top condition!

GL

CramCycle

ratracer wrote: »

You say the noise is still there when you are free wheeling, this may not be a BB problem, perhaps a wheel bearing? If it is the BB, when you are not pedalling there should be no noise.

I really need to start reading posts properly, sounds like the rear wheel

07Lapierre

A loose spoke?

Brewski78

Thanks all, I'll look for that thread and try to eliminate the possible causes one by one.

ford2600

http://jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

Might help

BailMeOut

sounds like my SuperSix! Mine creaks and cracks constantly and I cannot find the source. It's also on its 3rd BB30 change in 18 months now and these do seem to be a bad problem with this bike as the bearings are so exposed.

Brewski78

3rd BB? Oh, and we bought ours at the same time and from the same place - I copied the recommendations you were given at the time in late 2012 I think?

BailMeOut

Brewski78 wrote: »

3rd BB? Oh, and we bought ours at the same time and from the same place - I copied the recommendations you were given at the time in late 2012 I think?

Yep I believe you did. I love the bike but they do have a flaw with their BB30 bearings as there is nothing stopping grit and water getting to them. The shop I bought mine posted me two new sets of new bearings but I still need to bring to repair shop to get installed.

Not sure but maybe there is some grommet that you can place in front of them to protect.

Still love the bike even with its creaks!

07Lapierre

BailMeOut wrote: »

sounds like my SuperSix! Mine creaks and cracks constantly and I cannot find the source. It's also on its 3rd BB30 change in 18 months now and these do seem to be a bad problem with this bike as the bearings are so exposed.

have you tried a (very) small drop of oil on the fork (and frame) dropouts? Works wonders!

BailMeOut

07Lapierre wrote: »

have you tried a (very) small drop of oil on the fork (and frame) dropouts? Works wonders!

Fork dropout? Is this where the wheels attach? Is so no, but I will.

07Lapierre

BailMeOut wrote: »

Fork dropout? Is this where the wheels attach? Is so no, but I will.

yep, both wheels...even when the wheels are tight, they can "creak" when pedalling uphilll/out of the saddle etc. Also check your pedals..remove them, put some grease on the treads and refit. Make sure they are tight, very tight!

The one item that doesn't creak is the BB (well most of the time anyway).

Brewski78

BailMeOut wrote: »

Yep I believe you did. I love the bike but they do have a flaw with their BB30 bearings as there is nothing stopping grit and water getting to them. The shop I bought mine posted me two new sets of new bearings but I still need to bring to repair shop to get installed.

Not sure but maybe there is some grommet that you can place in front of them to protect.

Still love the bike even with its creaks!

Westbrook sent you out the BBs did they? Maybe I'll get onto them so, as well as following the advice re dropouts and other sources of creaking. Thanks again for the advice lads.

BailMeOut

Brewski78 wrote: »

Westbrook sent you out the BBs did they

yes and new bearings on two separate occasions.

BailMeOut

07Lapierre wrote: »

have you tried a (very) small drop of oil on the fork (and frame) dropouts? Works wonders!

you sir are a genius! I took wheels off,cleaned away grit, added a few small drops of oil into fork ends and am just back from a 50km creak free spin!

Great tip.