'92 Merlin Mountain Grease Guard BB/cranks advice

[Little Bob]

Just waiting for a 1992 Merlin frame to land and am getting the bits ready for the build.

I know little about the WTB/Suntour grease guard BB that is in situ but I'll check that out once it arrives.

First question - are there any other BB's I can use instead of this one, or is the frame designed specifically for use only with this BB? I know there are grease ports under the BB shell but does that pre-empt any change?

Second question - I was intending to use M900/M950 cranks and rings, but I'm sure I read somewhere that this isn't possible as the axle would locate the cranks too close to the frame. Is this right?

If this is the case can I use similar age ('92) XT cranks, or again will this be a problem?

Final question - If I can't use XTR or XT what cranks do you recommend?

Appreciate your collective wisdom on this.

 

[Archangel]

I think you can't use any other BB than this because it's integrated.

You can't use M950 XTRs since the integrated BB is square taper. Depending on spindle length, you surely can use XTR M900 cranks. I'm using M900 cranks in my '95 Merlin with 107mm spindle BB.

It should be possible to change the spindle and the same kind of spindles that are used in vintage Kleins should fit Merlins too. At least Action-Tec sells titanium ones.

 

[Little Bob]

Hmmm...how reliable are these BB's as I guess I'm stuck with it?

 

[Carsten]

if the bb shell still has the grease ports on the underside it is a press-fit bottom bracket like on the kleins. the bottom bracket shell is not threaded hence you cannot use standard bottom brackets. the bearings are pressed into the bb shell and the spindle into the bearings. unlike the Klein bottom brackets those on the Merlins are easy to replace. just tap the spindle out and then the bearings from the inside with a rod. just like you would tap out a head set. the bearings are very reliable as they are sealed industry standard bearings. which cranks you can use depends on the spindle length. XTR M900 work fine with 108-113mm spindles. the old XT M730 need 122mm spindles.

there are some instructions on the old Merlin web site

http://web.archive.org/web/199703011320 ... /bbgg.html

cheers, carsten

 

[Little Bob]

Thanks Carsten - perfect.

Are spares readily available if required?

I'm feeling I should have done a little more homework on this before I bought...