Installed a cartridge bottom bracket onto my bike and it’s a bit too wide. How should I remedy this? And if I go the space route do I put spacers on non-driveside only?
by efe13
Installed a cartridge bottom bracket onto my bike and it’s a bit too wide. How should I remedy this? And if I go the space route do I put spacers on non-driveside only?
by efe13
7 Comments
Have you tried a shorter axle?
Are you using a 73mm bottom bracket in a 68mm shell?
The BB talks to the frame. And it’s gotta be the same: English to English, 68 to 68. The BB spindle talks to the crank. Shimano and others tell you what they recommend in spindle length in their spec. Some folks fuck with that length, to try to narrow Q factor. I don’t really recommend it. Just match the right parts with the right parts
I have the same situation on a bike of mine. from what I looked up people said the non drive side is fine if it doesn’t go in all the way. Maybe it’s not the prettiest? But what harm could it do?
If the cranks, when fitted, are the same distance from the chain stays, and that distance is appropriate, then it’s fine. It doesn’t matter that it sticks out.
You could get another BB that’s the proper 68mm shell width, but honestly if it were me, I’d just slap a 2.5mm spacer under the DS cup to center the spindle on the driveline again and just send it (especially if said 2.5mm spacer was already in my parts bin). You’re still going to have plenty of threads engaged on both cups.
It looks to me like you’re missing a lock-ring on the non-drive side.
If that cup were meant to sit flush it would have a lip to tighten against the BB shell, no?