Im in the process of rebuilding an 1986 Bianchi Volpe for my wife. I’ve installed a VO Grand Cru BB and drillium crankset but the crank doesn’t spin very freely. I have not had the BB shell faced yet. Is that the likely cause? What else sold I look into?
I’ve also installed a VO headset and it’s ok except for a slight and short bump in resistance. Does the head tube need to be faced as well? Or could something else be the culprit?
Then in advance for any advice!
by bikeist
4 Comments
What type of BB was in the previously?
I wouldn’t say facing the BB and headtube would be a bad thing. Just that it wouldn’t be my first thought on these issues
I’d think BB hasn’t worn in yet, unless it is really stiff in spots. A lot of people seem to think a new BB will spin for ages with the lightest touch. That’s very rare, they need time for the bearings to warm up the grease a bit and find their groove
As for the headset, it’s more or less the same, maybe a touch too tight. .
If you painted this frame though forget what I said, it will definitely need facing if it’s been painted
Are they: noticeably difficult to move?
Worried they’ll creak?
Or they only spin a couple of times on spin test?
If it’s the latter, they’re fine and would only matter in the minimum gains of someone racing competitively.
Thanks for the replies!
The frame hasn’t been repainted. I don’t know what type the OG BB was. I’ll include a picture. It was definitely steel, where the BB is aluminum. The crank isn’t difficult to move, it just stops as soon as there’s no force on it. So it doesn’t spin at all without intentionally moving it. I’ve install new BBs before but none have ever felt this tight. But those were all on newer frames. It’s not over torqued, I just threaded it in till it stopped.
https://preview.redd.it/8b6q7tlgrsgg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05902ff3a9b559695c2b85884d87de99eb687d9d
A crank, especially with a new BB (and double especially with no pedals installed) a spun crank will stop in a turn or two and that’s completely normal.