Was addressing some creaking in my vintage TI bike and checked my bb shell. Are these threads in good condition? Are they cooked enough that they could be the source of the creaking?
by ReadingActual695
Was addressing some creaking in my vintage TI bike and checked my bb shell. Are these threads in good condition? Are they cooked enough that they could be the source of the creaking?
by ReadingActual695
6 Comments
Try threading in a bb by hand and find out. Creaking can come from practically every place on a bike where two pieces meet.
TI is a much harder material than aluminum, special cutting tools have to be used to thread a TI bb shell. you’d really have to be doing something special to trash those threads. if you were to over tighten a BB to the point where something gave way it would likely be the cups not the frame. they look fine from the pictures to me.
be generous with the ti prep/antiseize when you reinstall.
From what I see the threads look fine, and like someone else said, it would actually take a lot of messing about and effort to damage them.
As for the real issue of creaking – for sure be generous with the ti-prep/anti seize and grease when putting everything back together. If that doesn’t solve it, it’s likely coming from somewhere else.
Could be almost anywhere, pedals, dropout/QR/RD hanger, seat post/clamp/saddle clamp/saddle rails, even headset/stem/handlebars/brifters can seem like a BB creak sometimes.
Good luck.
Picture looks ok, but if they are messed up a bike shop or machine shop should be able to chase the threads.
I’d be more concerned that the face of the shell may not be flat. Do the cups sit flat against the shell?
Bike or machine shop if you have any concerns about the face being flat – thread looks alright, I’ve threaded a lot worse and it was still fine if greased to the max
Whilst the bikes there, you may as well buy another to keep you going until it’s back 😉 n+1…