I recently purchased a second hand argon 18 frameset. The installed bottom bracket (GXP), looks different from both sides. The one side has a plastic cover (pic2), and the other looks open (pic1). Is that how it is supposed to look? This is my first bike build, and i don’t want to install a new crank over a broken bottom bracket.
Thanks for your feedback.
I just installed a SRAM GXP bottom bracket in my Cervelo P3 as I was installing a new SRAM Red Crankset. What you have sure “seems” right, but I’d head over to your LBS to see if they have one, open the box and compare. Worst case…get a new one. I picked my up, non-ceramic, for about $30 at my LBS. Then you KNOW it’s right, you can install it, insure you’ve got enough lube on it, etc.
Are you certain this is a 68mm English threaded bb shell? I don’t see anything that resembles an external cup set bb like the GXP, but perhaps I’m just blind tonight. In point of fact if I had to pick one I’d say it’s a newer standard like the BB86 that has an adapter glued in by the looks of the first pic…but can only go by look. Even if that first pic is the sealing tube of a GXP system I don 't see any thread on cups per your ‘The installed bottom bracket (GXP)’ comment. That’s so weird b/c I just put a GXP system on my pals Planet X not a week ago that is BB30, but has an adapter secured with LockTite so he can run the GXP.
What year is this frame?
No, it isn’t right. The side that doesn’t have the cover is the drive side, right? You will find that cover still on the crankset you’ve removed. It will be stuck on the base of the axle, pushed up against the spider. They tend to get stuck there.
Don’t fit a new crankset until you’ve found that bit!
It’s a 2010 frame, and the bottom bracket says GXP on the black cover (you can’t see it in the pics, but it’s there).
The drive side does have the black cover. i.e. non-drive side is the open looking side of the BB.
I don’t have the crank, i purchased the frame with the BB installed; no crank.
Your missing the dust cover. It has a waved inner to match the SRAM splined non drive side crank set. SRAM BBs are not nearly as durable as the Shimano ones. I find that dust cover falls off all the time when changing over my Quarq. Your probably fell off on the ground somewhere. The other problem is the stupid drive side cover always comes off with the cranks! The shimano one was bullet proof on both my MTB and Roadie. SRAM have gone for that light and pretty much useless dust cover that means the bearing set won’t last as long either especially in MTB applications. But I guess that won’t be a problem for them. They sell more. I only continue to use a SRAM BB because I run SRAM Quarq chain sets. SRAM don’t appear to be very innovative. They have only really made cosmetic changes or changes that don’t really solve anything like double tap shifters and return to centre TT shifters. Or just buy someone elses work…
As soon as Shimano come to the PM party I’m in or moving across to SRM.
Are you certain this is a 68mm English threaded bb shell? I don’t see anything that resembles an external cup set bb like the GXP, but perhaps I’m just blind tonight. In point of fact if I had to pick one I’d say it’s a newer standard like the BB86 that has an adapter glued in by the looks of the first pic…but can only go by look. Even if that first pic is the sealing tube of a GXP system I don 't see any thread on cups per your ‘The installed bottom bracket (GXP)’ comment. That’s so weird b/c I just put a GXP system on my pals Planet X not a week ago that is BB30, but has an adapter secured with LockTite so he can run the GXP.
What year is this frame?
GXP does not have to use a threaded/external BB. I don’t think he stated it was a threaded BB.
Your missing the dust cover. It has a waved inner to match the SRAM splined non drive side crank set. SRAM BBs are not nearly as durable as the Shimano ones. I find that dust cover falls off all the time when changing over my Quarq. Your probably fell off on the ground somewhere. The other problem is the stupid drive side cover always comes off with the cranks! The shimano one was bullet proof on both my MTB and Roadie. SRAM have gone for that light and pretty much useless dust cover that means the bearing set won’t last as long either especially in MTB applications. But I guess that won’t be a problem for them. They sell more. I only continue to use a SRAM BB because I run SRAM Quarq chain sets. SRAM don’t appear to be very innovative. They have only really made cosmetic changes or changes that don’t really solve anything like double tap shifters and return to centre TT shifters. Or just buy someone elses work…
As soon as Shimano come to the PM party I’m in or moving across to SRM.
I hate to revive an old thread, but I am so frustrated by this problem. I have been fighting swapping my Quarq from my TT to my road bike and my bottom brackets lose these ‘dust caps’ constantly. I just installed new BB on my road bike and the caps won’t even stay on the brand new BB cups.
Has anyone had any luck finding something that works?
Easiest thing to do is zip tie or piece of string through the BB with all parts when you are not using it so you don’t lose them. Apparently they have less drag with these types of dust caps, but as I said before are jot as durable. I go through heaps of SRAM mountain bike BBs because of it. Would run Shimano but have a Quarq.
Edit: don’t apologise for reopening an old relevant thread. Wish more people did.
Just keep the same one with the crank at all times and put the other in a drawer somewhere in case you lose it. Your BB doesn’t need the dust cover when it’s just sitting there.
Thanks guys. I like the ideas. I don’t like keeping a crank on the bike without the Quarq just to keep everything together. A ziptie solution, or just placing the spare bits in a drawer is a better idea.