Which type of bottom bracket is this?

[christiandransfield]

Hey everyone,

Unfortunately, the bottom bracket has started to go on my Raleigh Record Ace, but I'm not sure which BB it is (Completely different to my Campag Planet X Pro Carbon, unsurprisingly), and wondered if anyone can advice me what tools I need etc, and if they even sell bearings and cups for this type of BB anymore!

Thanks!

 

[S1m0nR]

Re:

That's a British threaded Tange bottom bracket.

Parts are readily available - if you're lucky it's just a case of dismantling, cleaning, re-greasing and re-tightening it.

Once apart, check the spindle shoulders for wear - uneven and pitted patches mean it needs to be renewed - bear in mind that there are lots of different sizes so buy carefully. The bearings should be held in cages but if it's excessively worn you'll probably find that they all drop out in lots of bits when you get the thing apart.

For getting it apart, you'll need to get the lock-ring undone - one of these is the best tool to use:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PARK-TOOL-HCW ... SwI-BWIPpn

but there are cheap alternatives:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Pedal-Lo ... SwnNBXZPWN

The bearing cup that screws into the frame needs a pin spanner to get it undone. After using cheap ones, I bought one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Park-Tool-SPA ... SwuYVWo2sa

Clearly you don't have to buy them from eBay!

Finally if you need a replacement bottom bracket, this is the sort of thing you need:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOITIER-DE-PE ... Swvg9XVvBi

Note though that those bearings are not in a cage (or race) - yours should be originally.

The RRA is a great machine and I've built / rebuilt many of them in my time. If you're anywhere near Cambridge and want help with it, give me a shout.

 

[Midlife]

Blimey

Shaun

 

[S1m0nR]

Re:

Well I thought a fellow RRA enthusiast deserved some help!

The BB bearings are 1/4" aren't they? I never can remember.

Cheers...

 

[peetee]

Top tip when reassembling: fit the drive side cup tight. fit the greased bearings, axle and offside (adjustable) cup to a point where you can only just feel the bearings start to bind. Mark a pen line following the line of the seat tube on the cup. Fit the drive-side crankset tight and then the lock ring to the offside cup hand-tight only. Holding the pedal end of the crank, tug it side to side as you rotate the crank to check for play. If present, loosen lockring and adjust the cup checking the pen line is advancing clockwise (undoing/tightening the lockring can drag it round). If ok then tighten lockring checking the cup doesnt move with it. This should fractionally pull the adjustable cup out and leave the axle properly adjusted but check for play or friction to be sure.