So I’ve searched and searched, but can’t really find a definitive answer to this. I have an OSBB with the carbon shell, which is means it is 61mm. Now from the info I’ve found, because of the press-in cups that came with the frame, this effectively makes it 68mm, the BB30 standard. So it should really act as a normal BB30 bottom bracket (or so I would assume). I was installing a BB30 SRAM S975 crank (with the preload adjuster) today, and found that this is definitely not the case. With the preload screwed all the way, there is still a lot of play in the crank, which is clearly not good. My assumption is that, even though the shell is effectively 68mm, the bearings themselves are inset, making the bearing-bearing with more like 61mm. So it seems like some type of spacer must be needed to extend the bearing width, but I’ve been unable to find what this spacer might be (or where to get it). Seems like maybe even some sort of dustcap might be thick enough to play the role. If anyone has had experience with this, your help would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: of course, right after I post this, I find the answer. For anyone else looking: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/specialized/magic-answer-how-install-red-bb30-crank-venge-etc-280555.html
So long-term did the spacer solution work for a BB30 crank and BB30 BB? I ordered the Wheels Kit (http://wheelsmfg.com/specialized-fact-bb-spacer.html) as well as insurance. Put SRAM REd 22 on my Venge with OSBB.
Bob
biggest mistake i have seen made is people not using the stepped washers. the reason this can happen is that part comes with the specialized crank arms (arms + bearings + OSBB PF cups + spacers), but people generally have the frame + sram crankset when attempting this.
the sram crankset doesn’t include all the needed spacers. if one buys the sram PF bb, the cups are useless but you get the right bearings.
looks like what you ordered is designed to sit between the shell and the cups so that one can use “regular” PF30 cups on a specialized frame.
you will still need those stepped spacers, a 10mm spacer, and then some other combination to tighten things up. usually i’ve found that the 10mm + pre-tensioner are enough…maybe with 1-3 of the thin plastic shims that come with the sram BB. anything more and i’d be suspect.
I saw all of your post on RBR (I think) and I am having a devil of a time figuring this out since the S-Works Venge with a carbon BB shell is apparently different from the lower" Venge models with the alloy BB shell.
I ordered a BB30 bottom bracket (maybe incorrectly) and then was trying to figure out whether I really needed the PF BB for the SWorks Venge, but then saw that they are very different internal diameters.
Bob
I saw all of your post on RBR (I think) and I am having a devil of a time figuring this out since the S-Works Venge with a carbon BB shell is apparently different from the lower" Venge models with the alloy BB shell.
I ordered a BB30 bottom bracket (maybe incorrectly) and then was trying to figure out whether I needed the PF BB.
Bob
bb30 = bearings go directly into the frame.
pf30 = bearings go into the cups which go into the frame.
to my knowledge, all the current specialized road bikes are of the press-fit style.
did you order a frame separately from the crankset?
your frame set probably includes the specialized OSBB PF cups and bearings. in this case, if you have the sram BB (shouldn’t matter if it is bb30 or pf30) you should wind up with all the spacers you need, stepped, thin shims, etc.
the wheels mfg are for using NON-specialized pf cups on a specialized frame, though those thin shims can come in handy.
the error people usually make is in assuming that the frame + crankset is all they need, when they actually need some of the spacers from the sram bb kit. if you get the sram pf30, sounds like eventually you might be able to put those pf30 cups+bearings to use with the wheels adapter.