mrmacmusic
Veteran
- Location
- Tillicoultry
There's no play in the bottom bracket on my Boardman Hybrid Comp after ~3,400 miles, but it is creaking, and doesn't turn smoothly. I've removed it, cleaned/greased the threads and re-fitted which reduced the creaking for a while, but obviously hasn't done anything to eliminate the roughness. So, I reckon it needs replaced, however I'm wondering if upgrading would be a good idea?
The original bottom bracket on the Boardman (FSA Power Drive) doesn't seem to be that widely available and seems quite expensive at £35 compared to other options. I do have an octalink BB and Shimano 105 triple chainset that I bought in the January sales thinking I'd have the parts to upgrade the drivetrain when the time came, however I'm not sure that I want to convert the Boardman to a triple after all and may just sell these on.
So, will any 68mm x 118mm BB (i.e. square taper, splined) be OK, or could I fit external BB cups like these Shimano 4600 ones and put a 2-piece chainset on (e.g. Sora 3500)..? Would one particular option be more resilient for year-round, all-weather commuting 28 miles a day..?
The original bottom bracket on the Boardman (FSA Power Drive) doesn't seem to be that widely available and seems quite expensive at £35 compared to other options. I do have an octalink BB and Shimano 105 triple chainset that I bought in the January sales thinking I'd have the parts to upgrade the drivetrain when the time came, however I'm not sure that I want to convert the Boardman to a triple after all and may just sell these on.
So, will any 68mm x 118mm BB (i.e. square taper, splined) be OK, or could I fit external BB cups like these Shimano 4600 ones and put a 2-piece chainset on (e.g. Sora 3500)..? Would one particular option be more resilient for year-round, all-weather commuting 28 miles a day..?