Author Topic: Bottom brackets  (Read 4916 times)

Offline rawchild

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1021
Bottom brackets
« on: August 25, 2016, 03:17:40 AM »
Ok...I have used American, mids and Euros...so why do you have a spacer or bushing that fits in-between the bearings?  Is it necessary to install it?   Can you go without it? Thanks for info guys!
Hey Meg...check this out.

Offline Paradoxium

  • Administrator
  • GF Inhabitant
  • ******
  • Posts: 4433
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2016, 06:40:30 AM »
The tube spacers function is to take the side load out of the bearings when you tighten up the crank bolts. It makes bearings last longer.

Offline metalbmxer

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1969
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2016, 12:06:23 AM »
Let me give you a tip:
You can stop using them (unless it's a Euro)

They create more problems than they prevent and end up adding unnecessary weight (some are steel vs aluminum)

I've noticed bearing wobble that went away once I took mine out. And in case you are wondering, have not had a single bearing failure in 2 years. Neither me nor another long time pro who rides for Hoffman (and he has been running his cranks without the spacer for YEARS)
Dax (now in LAS VEGAS as of July 2022)

Offline rawchild

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1021
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2016, 03:58:41 AM »
Ok I'll give that a try then thanks.
Hey Meg...check this out.

Offline JUGGARNAUT

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 6570
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2016, 01:08:03 AM »
Whos the long time pro?

Offline rawchild

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1021
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2016, 03:15:53 AM »
Have you ever done that juggs?
Hey Meg...check this out.

Offline metalbmxer

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1969
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2016, 06:50:50 AM »
Whos the long time pro?

It's Art Thomason
Dax (now in LAS VEGAS as of July 2022)

Offline Peter Hollinger

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1041
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2016, 12:16:06 PM »
If you are running pinch-bolt style cranks likes Primo Powerbites then I can't see any problem with removing the spacer.
However if you are on 48 spline cranks like Profile then I would definitely leave it in.

Offline efxman

  • Hitchhiker
  • *****
  • Posts: 185
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2016, 02:28:37 AM »
As far as adding more weight I doubt you could ever tell a difference, I mean seriously we are talking mere ounces if not grams here.

Offline metalbmxer

  • GF Inhabitant
  • ********
  • Posts: 1969
Re: Bottom brackets
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2016, 05:29:29 AM »
As far as adding more weight I doubt you could ever tell a difference, I mean seriously we are talking mere ounces if not grams here.

Depends, the steel version of the spacer weighs about twice as much as the aluminum version. In a world where people will pay a premium for lighter parts, it's a no-cost no-brainer option.
Dax (now in LAS VEGAS as of July 2022)