Race face x type.
The darn thing has seized again. The issue seems to be that it is a crowded bearing - that is no cage just as many balls in the race as possible - so it needs a cut out in the race to get the balls in. the balls seem to be falling into the cutout and jamming the bearing.
So - enduro / other replacement bearings? New BB? ( what one??) I assume all the external BBs are compatible with the cranks.
What a rubbish system this is - at least it doesn't have the crappy pinch bolt of the Shimano ones but its such a retrograde step this external BB - sealing is rubbish, bearings are vulnerable and life is rubbish. Grumble grumble
There's always things to grumble about on a bike, but that's just the way it is.
You should be able to use Shimano, or Hope external BBs. I'm not sure about replacement bearings...
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Job done.
Got two now going for over a year a hope (steel) and XTR no problems with either, went through4 in a year race face ones on warrenty with bike. will stick with hope one from now on I reckon.
simon - its so tempting - I actually prefer octalink -I have 3 bikes with it and its the best system I know.
Yeah my Octalink on the Pompino just won't die, although the splines on the cranks won't last another BB.
knock the bearings out and replace them. IIRC RF X type dont have a retaining lip so its easier than doing same on the shimano units. Cheap replacement bearings are a fiver a pair from ebay traders, quality branded stuff like SKF are about 15 quid a pair.
I found it easier to tap the plastic top hats out from the inside (in the same manner you do the bearings), if you try to prize them out you will probably snap them.
I had more problems with the ISIS (=octalink?) system than external as the bearings were just too small. Going back another step though, the original square taper BB (and steel-ringed crankset) is still going strong on my regularly ridden 1994 Kona...
octalink bearings are bigger than isis. they last fine.
I know how to replace the bearings - they have already been out once for regreasing after they filled with water at strathpuffer
I hear your pain just removed my cranks what a friggin can of worms, though I'd treat my crossbike to a full service and now my wallet is about to experience prison love courtesy of the LBS. 😥
The full complement RaceFace bearings are absolute crap. Get a Shimano BB which have a retainer, don't over tighten the preload and the bearings last fine. The bearings on my hardtail which get all the winter slop are just starting to feel a bit rough now after 5 years.
I know it's extra expense but my Hope is still running smooth after a year's use
[i]What a rubbish [s]system[/s] product this is [/i]
Fixed it for you.
Never had an issue with either Shimano or Hope BBs
That's karma for you TJ!!
The "crappy pinchbolt" design that Shimano use allow you to avoid excessive preload, whereas the RF approach relies on swapping out washers to minimise the excess preload. Oh yeh - and their BB's are mince.
Ok - so enduro bearings that will fit in my raceface cups and eliminate the plastic top hat or a hope BB?
I much prefer the race face splined set up compared to a pinch bolt - I have seen the shimano ones end up with both pedals pointing the same way - splines a bit small? I like the fact it all bottoms out on a definite end stop.
mk1fan - MemberThat's karma for you TJ!!
What have I done now? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Had mine on for over 20 months.
Apart from one good clean up it needed after I left it several days following a particularly muddy ride around the Wyre, I've never really had any problems with it 8)
My hollowtech is 3 1/2 years old, don't have a problem with replacing something which cost 30 odd quid after that length of time the problem is if the bb fails it f@£$s the axle which is fixed to the cranks and new cranks are a couple of hundred quid........
There's a bigger load bearing area on the Shimano set-up - despite their small size, there's a lot of 'em. If the cranks are spinning on the axle, then they've been fitted by an idiot.
The problem with the RF system is exactly what you say - you have to tighten the crank to a predetermined point whether or not that works with your BB shell width - the XTR system is similar, but allows bearing preload adjustment with the adjuster ring (and cuts out the weight of the pinch bolt area and the 2 bolts...
As with all kit, buy good quality, proven items, install them correctly and maintain them from time to time, surprise, surprise they work. i have run shimano and Hope external BB's foor over three years at a time, the bike is ridden two/three times a week all year in all weathers. The amount of time spent winghing on here, you could have sorted it and been riding.
rideit - it was on a complete bike I bought - and I have stripped out the bearings, freed them off and rebuilt freshly greased while awaiting replies thank you very much 🙂