BB thread gone. Options

All of the BBs for use with stripped threads really need the BB shell to be faced before they are installed. They shouldn't work loose if you do.

Same goes for external bearing BBs, incidentally.

Thanks Chris,

When you say they need to be faced, how is this done, generally?

Ta.

There's a special tool, which all good bike shops ought to have:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Park%20Tool-Bottom-Bracket-Tapping-&-Facing-set_11155.htm

It cuts the faces of the BB shell so they're dead parallel.

As you can see, it's an expensive tool, but a shop shouldn't charge a lot to do it, it isn't particularly hard for them.

I had the same issue, my frame lost all threads on adjustable cup and had a fixed cup stuck there needed be recut as italian (ted from 14bike was going to do this, he was quite nice explaining the whole problem) but I ended up picking a nice new 2nd hand frame and BB for a bit more... it's not a cheap fix.

It shouldn't be that expensive a fix. You need to be friends with someone that works in a bike shop, and go in when they aren't busy.

Thanks Chris,

When you say they need to be faced, how is this done, generally?

Ta.

retro_di_corsa should be able to do it cheaper than a bike shop.

You don't want to have your BB re-threaded Italian, really, you don't. It has right hand threads on both sides so the non-chainwheel side cup is always trying to wind itself out.

And anyway, I'm not sure it can be done as Italian BB shell is bigger than the English. You could sleeve down Italian to English but not the other way round.

If the frame is worth it, I would bite the bullet and have the BB re-threaded properly. If not then go threadless BB

Funny I have had my italian bottom bracket in for two years and it doesn't undo itself.

Lucky you :-)

But it is a well-recognised phenomenon. Some people resort to threadlock but then the BB can seize in the shell :-(

Cheers guys,

I've learnt a lot from your interest and your suggestions, thank you.

I've decided to leave the current BB set-up as it is - there's no play in it and it's not dangerous, I was just meddling and getting obsessive, rather than enjoying the bike as it is.

This whole crank swap/BB issue came about because I was entertaining the idea of changing gear ratios (currently 52/18) - and didn't look hard enough for a chain ring (the BCD is odd, around 120-125), or indeed consider stripping an old cassette for a larger rear sprocket (for this conversion).

As it stands the top-end on the bike is great, it's lightweight, the paintwork is beautiful and it makes me smile to ride it; simpler and cheaper to just enjoy it as it is... especially seeing as I've just spunked all my dough: http://www.lfgss.com/thread41510.html

Thanks again! :-)

Lucky you :-)

But it is a well-recognised phenomenon. Some people resort to threadlock but then the BB can seize in the shell :-(

Yes it, however it doesn't happen all the time ... it can happen ... which is massively different.

i must have missed the thread, options? UTFS?

i must have missed the thread, options? UTFS?

"UTFS" = Use The Fucking Search?

:)