Caged bearings in a bb

[Wester]

I have replaced the loose bearings in my bb with caged bearing because they were easier to fit but i have found that my bb does not run as smoothly with the caged bearing as it did with the loose bearings

I have fitted the caged bearings with the bearings facing inwards is that the correct way to do it ?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Like this:

Still from this video http://www.rjthebikeguy.com/videos/caged-bearings-which-direction-do-they-go/

THese ones are oriented correctly with respect to the cups. Pick the cup up and put it over the bearings. Imagine the spindle coming up from underneath.

 

[Ajax Bay]

RJ knows what he's talking about. Think how the cone interfaces with the caged bearings.
Loose bearings for the win (and cheaper) - see other thread.

 

[Paulus]

Not enough grease?
Or, adjusted up too tight.

 

[sleuthey]

Slacken off the threaded cup by about 20 degrees and see if that makes a difference

 

[Ajax Bay]

Guys - have you read the OP?

I have fitted the caged bearings with the bearings facing inwards is that the correct way to do it ?

Gives a clue why the BB "doesn't run as well". @Dogtrousers ftw. And yes the compression needs to be right, of course. @Wester is not a novice.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Guys - have you read the OP?

Gives a clue why the BB "doesn't run as well"

I kind of ignored the bit about the balls facing inwards because "inwards" "outwards" can get confused (well, they can by me at least)

I thought "If I've understood this right, they are the wrong way round. But there's a fair chance I haven't understood it right". So I figured it best to answer in picture form.

 

[Gillstay]

I was told by long time mechanic that loose balls worked better and have not found him to be wrong, so this may be what your noticing.

 

[cyberknight]

I was told by long time mechanic that loose balls worked better and have not found him to be wrong, so this may be what your noticing.

@Fnaar

 

[Gillstay]

@Fnaar

Sorry what does that mean ?

 

[cyberknight]

Sorry what does that mean ?

its a forum in joke when you see something that could be misconstrued as rude we send a call to a certain member known for lowering the tone
aka loose balls work better ...............

 

[Gillstay]

its a forum in joke when you see something that could be misconstrued as rude we send a call to a certain member known for lowering the tone
aka loose balls work better ...............

Ahaa ! gotcha.

 

[deuxfois]

It's true that caged bearings are easy to fit, but filling the races with grease allows you to set the loose balls in place before inserting the axle. Slightly trickier, but it's not a job you expect to do very frequently. The advantage is that the considerable loads going through the bottom bracket (show us your mighty thews ) are distributed among far more contact points, making for a longer bearing life.

That's the way I used to do it - until I discovered Shimano UN55 type cassette b/bs, which are easier, smoother, and last for years without adjustment or maintenance. Just make sure you buy the correct axle length!