[NoCanSurf]

I have a creaking bottom bracket – I think.

I bought a Niner RLT online and took delivery at the end of July. From day one there’s been a creak, in what I believe is the bottom bracket. The shop that sold me the bike has sent me replacement parts, a bottom bracket [the wrong size], a new spindle, and new crank arms (and spindle). I paid a local shop to replace parts with the warranty parts, expect the bottom bracket. The LBS siad the BB was the wrong size. After the service the creak is still an ever-present part of my ride and I f-ing hate it.

My question is: Can I use the cups of the new bottom bracket, and the spacer (center piece) of the old bottom bracket?

The Bottom bracket in the bike is an Easton PF30 68 46mm Press fit, 30mm Spindle 117gm 68mm (confirmed with Niner’s tech support)

The replacement part that was sent is Easton 386 EVO 46mm Press fit, 30mm Spindle 103gm 86.5mm.

From what I can tell the cup sizes are the same on both replacement and OEM bottom brackets (46mm), the difference is the width of the middle spacer. The spindle fits (see picture). So, am I crazy for asking the LBS to swap out the cups and use the old middle spacer, to see if I can eliminate the creak?

(EVO BB, with old spindle)

(EVO bottom bracket, spacer)

 

[frdfandc]

Try it and see if the old spacer works with the new cups. What's the worse thing that could happen? It not fit, then you have to get the correct BB anyway.

Don't use grease on the cups. Use the new Orange Loc-tite. That's the cure to creaks on press fit BB's. We used to use red 253 (I think this is it), for all press fit BB services.

 

[NoCanSurf]

Appointment set at LBS for next week. If I keep needing to do this I might be cheaper to buy the tools and do it myself at some point.

I have loctite 309 on order. It should be here (fingers crossed) before my bike goes to the shop. No one stocks the fancier loctite on the island.

"... green liquid material designed for the bonding of cylindrical fitting parts. This advanced material has medium strength and will cure when it is confined with the absence of air. An activator is also available as a secondary cure if needed. Some typical applications of Loctite 609 retaining compound include locks bushings and sleeves on housing shafts. Rotor to shafts in sub-fractional and fractional horsepower motors. ..."
- Loctite 609

There are some videos suggesting that the creak is coming from the clincher chainrings. If the machining is out of spec on the chainrings is slightly out, there might be micro-movement leading to a creaking. The loctite 609 should also solve this problem.

My thought is that there's been such pressure of bike builders and part vendors, that some are getting sloppy due to rushing product to market to meet demand, and folks like myself are dealing with the fallout...

 

[Cleared2land]

Appointment set at LBS for next week.
If I keep needing to do this I might be cheaper to buy the tools and do it myself at some point.

It's often cheaper to buy the tools, than to pay the LBS. At least buying the tool subsidizes the cost of LBS repair, but you gain experience and confidence.

 

[NoCanSurf]

Got the bike back from the LBS. From what I understand the EVO bottom bracket will NOT work due to the flang (or lack there of). Which is kind of a bummer. The bike shop spend some time sorting out the creak and feel its not the bottom bracket, seat post, hubs, etc... Its the frame! They think its related to the internal cable routing where it intersects with the bottom bracket area of the bike. I've email the bike builder and for options.