Question # 1:
Does the frame use a BSA BB or an Italian BB?
I think it is BSA but am not sure. cannot make the shell turn in any direction makes so that makes me wonder.
Question # 2:
How can I make a coroded BB come lose? Cola???
That fact that I can’t turn the shell in any direction makes me think there is serious corrosion going on where aluminum is in contact with titanium. Maybe the LBS did not use enough grease/copper paste when installing the BB back in 2005. Since then the shop has gone out of business so I can’t ask them any more.
QR will be BSA (English ) threading.
Drive side loosens clockwise
Non drive side loosens counter.
try to get some liqiud wrench to penetrate it (or PB blast, better still) and muscle the shit out of it. It should come.
In a Ti frame your shop should have used anti-seize, or at the very least, shop grease.
What kind of BB do you have? You may need to take it to an LBS so they can use a shop quality BB tool to get it removed. They should have a BB tool that will thread into the BB spindle, or (if external BB) hold the cup more securely in order to use more leverage. Consumer quality tools usually are not very good in this sort of situation…
When you get the BB out make sure you thouroghly clean it (if keeping the old one) and the BB shell in your frame. I would hightly recommend using anti-seize instead of grease on a Ti-Aluminum interface. Grease works, but anti-seize works much better.
try using some penetrating oil and let it sit for a long time (like over night). you could also use a little heat on the bb area, but be very careful. I’m not sure what the expansion rates of Ti is compared to Al but if you end up overheating (or expanding the inner more than the outer) you coudl make the situation worse.
Thanks everyone for the input! I will try the penetrating oil thing. In a way I’d rather take the frame to a LBS for them to try because if they break the frame, it was not me.
The thing to use would be copper paste in the future, right?
Will let you know how it works out!
p.s. I’d rather not use brute force. I have read a few nasty things about corrosion of other metals in contact to titanium.
Thanks everyone for the input! I will try the penetrating oil thing. In a way I’d rather take the frame to a LBS for them to try because if they break the frame, it was not me.
When I was in shops we would try - if it did not come out with normal force. If a BB would not come out we have the customer sign a form understanding that if their frame breaks due to their lack of proper care and greasing, the broken frame is on them…or we just hand them back the bike and say good luck. To think that you can put a potential damaged frame on an LBS is really weak…why did you not maintain it?
I don’t really understand what would be wrong with that?
Let me just compare for you:
What do you do if you have a mechanical problem with you car? Do you bring it to the workshop and have them fix it. If they accept the job and break something in the process without having you sign a waiver they are liable for damage. If they accept the job and say that they can fix the problem, they are liable in case they fail to solve the problem.That is what they are paid for. Your decision to have the customer sign a waiver would be the smart thing to do we agree on that. But if they don’t… am I to blame?
Secondly:
I had the BB installed by a bike shop. What more can I do? Is every bike owner supposed to be a bike mechanic himself? See above for the car comparison. What is proper maintenance in your opinion? Removing the BB every 6 months? If that is the case… well…
On a Ti frame? Yes, I remove my BB about every 6 months and relube and add a few winds of Teflon tape.
On my old car - once the Stealership called me and told me that they could not get a bolt out of my bank two turbo…said that they will try to take it off but it it breaks I have to pay for the additional time needed to remove and helicoil the hole. I accepted the potential additional risk…I am thinking however that your comparison would be for a warranty repair to a vehicle…cause I cant think of any other situation where a shop would take on the liability of removing a bolt that is quite easily noticed as being either rusted in place, or had other corrosion issues preventing its removal.
Just cause shit happens some times does not mean that an LBS would be liable to purchase you a new bike. I for one would not work on it…I would suggest that you purchase your own tools and do it on your own (being as you know there is an issue with corrosion that you are fully aware o, and are seeking a potential new frame if your lack of proper care has a poor outcome).
but who tells the buyer to lube the BB every 6 months? Regrettably no one except for you! So how was I to know? I only figured that out afterwards when I googled the problem after it had presented itself.
But as a bike mechanic you surely have superior knowledge that I as a mere customer am not aware of.
And to repeat that: I am quite thankful for the input.
