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Can you pop out the bearings on the BB cups and press in a new set?
I've got as far as stripping them down to the bearing, but was wondering if there is a way of avoiding buying the cups when you don't have to.
Anyone managed this or should I just buy a new set of ridiculously expensive cups?
does anyone know the exact number of the bearings they use?
with the price Rose are bunging them out at theres not really any financial benefit in doing it
but yes you can
should I just buy a new set of ridiculously expensive cups
Shimano SLX/XT bottom bracket complete is 17 Euro from Bike-24 (but I get it VAT free), and at that price I wouldn't bother with replacing the bearings...
Edit: Klunk - you beat me to it!
It depends on the cups. Some you can, some you can't. Email me as I'm in Lewes/Ringmer and have the tool to pop them out and in if it's the right BB cup.
Tim
Someone might recommend Enduro bearings in a moment, but they cost a decent chunk of the price of a new BB, and mine lasted about 10 rides before they died. How I laughed.Not something I'll waste time and money on again... SLX/XT is too good and too cheap.
Gamut's EXT24 costs just a little more and lasts longer, as long as you don't mind occasionally removing the outer seals to give it a clean. Comes in purty colours too 😉
[url= http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk/items.asp?CategoryID=237&Name=Hollowtech+II+bearing+upgrade ]BETD.?[/url]
Good grief, I take it back- the Enduro bearings are actually more expensive now than an XT BB. That's insane. Just say no.
with the price Rose are bunging them out at theres not really any financial benefit in doing itbut yes you can
as this says and everyone else, its probs not worth doing when new bb's are so cheap.
I got the tool free from betd when I bought 5 sets of enduro bearings. The enduro bearings are 24 quid a set and probably not the right ones as they are max compliment which do not roll well. They have lasted well for me, but they replaced a raceface set which were utter rubbish..
For me the only advantage is the sense of recycling you get from not slinging yer old cups...
i've drifted out old bearings with a couple of sockets of suitable size and a multipurpose rubber headed persuader, and pressed new ones in (bought pretty cheap from ebay) with a length of threaded bar, couple of nuts and suitable washers. 5 minute job for a couple of quid a time.
The bearings aren't as good and don't last as long as the better quality ones but at that price and ease, and giving me an excuse to fettle stuff in the garage, what's not to like?
theotherjohnv, if youve done this on a shimano bb you will know that the plastic top hat washers break and are hard to come by.. thats what not to like.
yes, correct, but I've got one from another manufacturer that is 4 or 5 sets in, and if you do get a shimano one out you can stanley off the lip that hold them in - doesn't serve any useful purpose afaict
Ive got an RF BB and bought cheap no-name bearing for a fiver a pair from ebay trader, but some shimano cups are 1mm too narrow to take the standard bearing sizes.
decent bearings like SKF run to about £15+ a pair (I have some of these waiting to be fitted too) so as others have said its barely worth the hassle when Rose etc do full BBs so cheaply now.
Heat the plastic top hats up in hot water and they pop out with a round ended knife
i find tapping the top hats out from the "inside" (I leave the cup in the shell and stick a screwdriver thru from the other side) is safer and easier than trying to prize them out.
just sprise it out carefully then rub the lip off with some emry paper so it comes out easier next time, get the number off the seal and ring you local bearing supplies, you'll pick them up really cheap and can even buy skf, ceramic or stainless which should last ages