I'm replacing a dead SRAM GXP bottom bracket, on my Force 1 do it all bike, with a Praxis one (68 0301). I'm convinced I've used the correct end caps (1.7 and 2.0), and correct spacers (none). It's on a BSA threaded 68mm shell.
Now, when I've come to torque everything into place, something looks wrong. Between the drive side crank and bearing, where the wavy washer sits, there's a suprising (to me) gap. I was expecting the wavy washer to be squashed by say 80% or more. But in reality it looks like it's only been pinched up by about 20%. The gap looks to be in the order of 1.5 - 2.0mm, though difficult to get close enough to see and can't find a way to measure. The original bb setup didn't have the wavy washer setup, so nothing to make direct comparison with.
There doesn't seem to be any slack in the system, certainly no obvious play. Cranks spin freely as expected. To be honest, if I hadn't seen the gap, I'd not have thought anything was wrong.
Is this normal? I guess one thing to look at, would be where the chainring sits, in relation to the frame, ie same as before or not. But not sure how to measure that exactly. Anyone have any thoughts?
I have a Praxis GXP and I'm pretty sure there is a gap -i.e. the washer isn't fully squashed. It is only keeping the end cap on that covers the bearing. So long as no play and it spins freely, you are good to go.
PS miles better than the SRAM BB, and bearings are easy to replace when they do go.
MY DMR Axe cranks needed a Praxxis BB. There is a gap on the NDS. I queried this with DMR and they said it's meant to be like that.Two winters in, no pay, still running smooth.
Is there any axial (back and forth) play? If there’s some movement then you could always put a spacer between the BB cup and the frame - FWIW a cassette spacer is the right diameter and your LBS should have stacks of them (well, the shops I used to work in did as the come with many Shimano cassettes but not always needed)
No, there is no play at all in the system at all. The Praxis BB comes with spacers, and deeper dust caps, for different configurations of frame/crank. But I'm pretty sure I've used the correct ones for my setup.
Think I'll finish putting at all back together and take is for a gingerly spin.
Also, found this thread, which seems to confirm that the gap is OK.