BB without sleeve

[carelgrundlingh]

Is it one of the deadly sins to fit a BB without the sleeve...just the cups? The BB area is sealed (in the frame, no spaces/holes for water entry)???

[Inusc]

My BB had a lot of squeaking noises when pressure was applied to the crank so I just took out the inside plastic sleeve inside,6 mounts later still fine .No squeaking,no problems just have to remember to clean it frequently

[Johan Bornman]

Water enters through the seatpost collar, not at the BB threads. Quite easy to prove. Wash your bike and open the BB. It will have water in.

[carelgrundlingh]

@Johan the frame has like a sealed bb area, no opening from the seatpost collar, downtube or dropouts. That is the reason why the sleeve can't go in, the sealed (fitted into the carbon frame) sleeve type bb area is a tad too narrow for the bulging ends of the BB sleeve. Is it OK then??

 

Q 2: I've always used the matching BB for a crankset....can I use say a Ultegra BB with a FSA MegaExo crankset? the inner diameter is the same? (It is the FSA BB sleeve that has got the bulge)

[Johan Bornman]

@Johan the frame has like a sealed bb area, no opening from the seatpost collar, downtube or dropouts. That is the reason why the sleeve can't go in, the sealed (fitted into the carbon frame) sleeve type bb area is a tad too narrow for the bulging ends of the BB sleeve. Is it OK then??

 

Q 2: I've always used the matching BB for a crankset....can I use say a Ultegra BB with a FSA MegaExo crankset? the inner diameter is the same? (It is the FSA BB sleeve that has got the bulge)

 

OK, if the frame is sealed off, it's good. Water can't enter from the top then and your BB should be OK if the threads are sealed. Use PTFE tape if unsure.

 

FSA and Shimano BBs/cranks are not compatible. Shimano cranks have a 24mm axle and FSA....wait for it....24.2mm axle. In other words, if you put a FSA crank into a shimano BB, you have to force it it and usually it knocks the seal right of of its socket on the exit side.

 

If you put a Shimano crank into an FSA BB, it has an irritating play in it.

 

I'm sure there are lots of okes here who will now come with anecdotal evidence of their aunt Edna's FSA BB that works perfectly with a Shimano crank and vice versa. My experience is that the combo is always less than satisfactory.