Why not have the gears inside the bottom bracket?

Asked by: Mia Rodriguez

What is inside a bottom bracket?

It is located in the bottom bracket shell which is where your frame’s down tube, seat tube and chain stays all come together. A bottom bracket typically contains bearings that enable the crank’s spindle to rotate. Shell and spindle widths vary depending on the type of bottom bracket.

Why are bottom brackets reverse threaded?

Quote from video: The right bottom bracket cup is a reverse thread. So in other words turning it counterclockwise will tighten it turning it clockwise. Will loosen it.

How does an internal gear work?

An interlocking set of gears, called a planetary system, helps you ride up a hill—or go faster on a flat. Depending on the gear, the driver unit either first spins outer ring gears, or the planetary gears deeper in the hub, rotating around sun gears near the center.

What is the purpose of bottom bracket?

The bottom bracket on a bicycle connects the crankset (chainset) to the bicycle and allows the crankset to rotate freely. It contains a spindle to which the crankset attaches, and the bearings that allow the spindle and crankset to rotate.

Why is bottom bracket creaking?

Most of the time, the true cause is a loose chainring bolt—tighten them up and that’ll quiet most creaks. After you check the chainring bolts and if you still hear the noise, look at your pedals, crank bolts, seatpost, and seat. By checking these first, you’ll save an hour of digging into your bottom bracket.

Do I need to grease the bottom bracket?

In the case of the bottom bracket, you will use the grease when you install it, whether it is threaded, press fit or similar, and in the same way when you install or clean the cranks. The point of contact of the cranks with the bottom bracket should be greased too.

What is the difference between Italian and English bottom bracket?

The key difference is in how the two thread into the bottom bracket shell. Like pedals, one side of a BSA standard bottom bracket shell is reverse (left) threaded, while both sides of an Italian standard bottom bracket shell are regularly (right) threaded.

What does BSA stand for bottom bracket?

The term BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms, a British company that produced bicycles, cars and other durable goods. The term BSC stands for British Standard Cycle, which adopted the same standard. BSC is sometimes shortened to BC.

How do you align a bottom bracket?

Quote from video: After you seat the bottom bracket into the frame you want to do the same steps on this side. Now it's time to align. And tighten the bottom bracket.

Are internally geared hubs better?

Internal-gear hubs are more reliable than derailer systems, and require much less maintenance. The step-up ratios of their top gears make oversize chainrings unnecessary on small-wheel bicycles. Unlike derailers, internal-gear hubs can shift at a stop, very nice in stop-and-go urban traffic.

What is the difference between internal and external gear pump?

An external gear pump consists of two identical, interlocking gears supported by separate shafts. An internal gear pump has two interlocking gears of different sizes with one rotating inside the other. Gear pumps are commonly used for pumping high viscosity fluids such as oil, paints, resins or foodstuffs.

How do internal gear hubs shift?

On internally-geared bikes: The hub will shift when pedaling forward, coasting, at a stand still or back pedaling. Smooth shifting is dependant on letting off pedal pressure at the time of shifting.

How long do bottom brackets last?

As for a bottom bracket, on the low end, maybe 5000 miles. The basic Shimano one most people use (UN51/55/similar) can reasonably expect 10k+ miles. But sometimes you get unlucky and get a bottom bracket that lasts maybe 500 miles.

Why does my bike make a knocking sound when I pedal?

Ensure the pedals are properly tightened. A loose pedal or pedals can make a “ticking” noise at the bottom of the pedal stroke. This ticking noise can also be from a worn pedal or bearing.

Why does my bike squeak when I pedal hard?

Squeaks and Creaks:



These super common sounds are usually due to DIRTY or DRY bearings. You’ll often find that after riding your bike for a while or in harsh conditions these noises start to creep in. Areas to check if you’re hearing these noises would be: Crankset/ Bottom Bracket.

How do I know if my bottom bracket needs replacing?

Quote from video: Changes are likely to be compromised. As well. But if it's just making noises. It might just need taking apart cleaning and servicing re-greasing and putting back.

What is bottom bracket shell?

The bottom bracket shell on a modern bike is the container into which the bottom bracket is pressed or threaded.

How long does a bottom bracket last?

As for a bottom bracket, on the low end, maybe 5000 miles. The basic Shimano one most people use (UN51/55/similar) can reasonably expect 10k+ miles. But sometimes you get unlucky and get a bottom bracket that lasts maybe 500 miles.

What is a sealed cartridge bottom bracket?

A cartridge bottom bracket usually has two main components. The cartridge contains the sealed bearings and spindle, and is usually threaded into the right (or drive side) of your frame. The lockring supports the opposite end of the cartridge and is usually threaded into the left (or non-drive side) of your frame.

Which side of a bottom bracket goes in first?

Quote from video: The drive side.

Can you tighten cartridge bottom bracket?

Quote from video: It down and again there's gonna be manufacturers torque specifications that you that you should tighten it down to so you can that's where you would use a socket drive torque torque wrench to finish.