my commuter bike (been described as a dinosaur) had a loose bottom bracket last week. I didn't have the tools to fix it until the weekend, so it was like that all week and getting worse. Now that I've tightened it, I'm still getting the noise from the BB when I pedal down on the RHS. The BB is **definitely** not loose. There is a bit of movement in the right pedal, but not enough to account for what I am getting. I feel definite movement when I pedal down, but I just can't locate the source.
My best theory is that I've damaged something in the BB whilst riding it when loose. I've only had the bike for a while, but the BB looks new and I doubt the ball bearings are stuffed (different sound to that anyway).
My ride is only ~15 min each way, so that's ~2.5 hrs for the week. Given the tough metal involved in the BB, is damage likely in this time frame? Any and all suggestions greatly accepted.
my commuter bike (been described as a dinosaur) had a loose bottom bracket last week. I didn't have the tools to fix it until the weekend, so it was like that all week and getting worse. Now that I've tightened it, I'm still getting the noise from the BB when I pedal down on the RHS. The BB is **definitely** not loose. There is a bit of movement in the right pedal, but not enough to account for what I am getting. I feel definite movement when I pedal down, but I just can't locate the source.
My best theory is that I've damaged something in the BB whilst riding it when loose. I've only had the bike for a while, but the BB looks new and I doubt the ball bearings are stuffed (different sound to that anyway).
My ride is only ~15 min each way, so that's ~2.5 hrs for the week. Given the tough metal involved in the BB, is damage likely in this time frame? Any and all suggestions greatly accepted.
Peter
Dunno, but replacing my BB cured similar movement and sounds. Annoyingly, the buggered one feels just fine when it's out of the frame and I spin it by hand. I guess my hands don't the power of my legs! ;^)
It's possible to damage your BB taper (and/or the crank) by riding with it loose.
While BBs are tough, cheaper bikes have ...ummm... less tough parts.
If you can't work it out, take to your LBS for advice.
my commuter bike (been described as a dinosaur) had a loose bottom bracket last week. I didn't have the tools to fix it until the weekend, so it was like that all week and getting worse. Now that I've tightened it, I'm still getting the noise from the BB when I pedal down on the RHS. The BB is **definitely** not loose. There is a bit of movement in the right pedal, but not enough to account for what I am getting. I feel definite movement when I pedal down, but I just can't locate the source.
My best theory is that I've damaged something in the BB whilst riding it when loose. I've only had the bike for a while, but the BB looks new and I doubt the ball bearings are stuffed (different sound to that anyway).
I had a similar noise once and thought it was the BB until I recalled an incident where I thought I had hit a rock while riding home. At the time I looked around for the rock and didn't find a thing, but I knew I'd had a nasty jolt on the bike. When I kept hearing the noise I thought I should inspect the frame and sure enough I'd broken clean through the right hand seat-stay near the top. The noise was the clean break rubbing on itself. It was probably years of heavy panniers flexing the frame too much and it finally gave way. No rock involved at all, just a fatal flex that felt like hitting a pot-hole or rock. I tossed the frame out and bought a whole new bike!!
my commuter bike (been described as a dinosaur) had a loose bottom bracket last week. I didn't have the tools to fix it until the weekend, so it was like that all week and getting worse. Now that I've tightened it, I'm still getting the noise from the BB when I pedal down on the RHS. The BB is **definitely** not loose. There is a bit of movement in the right pedal, but not enough to account for what I am getting. I feel definite movement when I pedal down, but I just can't locate the source.
Did you dismantle and inspect the BB?
My guess is that the races (if used) are kaput. If no races, running ball bearings in a loose BB may have caused some major damage
Although you only ride a short distance, spend the $40 about for a sealed BB.
