That new-bottom bracket feeling! (And a great Sat ride)

[Tony DeFilippo]

After an unnecessary, self-imposed delay I finally replaced the aging TA Axix BB on my Atlantis with a cheap, new Shimano UN55 unit... what a noticeable and wonderful change!  I"m happy to report that the 127mm axle worked fine w/ my TA Zephyr crank and the wide Atlantis chainstays.  The Axix is a nice looking bit of metal but either the replaceable cartridge bearings are ready for replacement or its somewhat complicated installation requirements proved to much for me... or both. Either way the new BB is silent, smooth and makes me very happy!

To inaugurate the new component I got in a spirited (for me) 35 mile round trip up the Capitol Crescent Trail to meet up with list-member Erl in Bethesda.  The bagels, coffee and conversation were well worth the trip!  I also satisfied my curiosity for the 26" wheeled Atlanti by getting to size myself up on Erl's 56cm Atlantis... I'm not sure I'll ever fully grasp the art of bike sizing.  It sure seems like I'd be perfectly capable of being comfortable for long distances on that 56cm 26" wheeled frame.

Couple pictures below, more on my blog - http://dr2dc.blogspot.com/2014/01/that-new-bottom-bracket-feeling-cct-ride.html

[Christopher Chen]

Awesome!

New inexpensive often beats worn fancy. :)

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"I want the kind of six pack you can't drink." -- Micah

[hsmitham]

Tony,

Isn't it amazing what a small inexpensive part can do for your ride and the fact we meet people online and then  meet in person and enjoy a ride together. 

I'd have liked to see you standing next to Erl's Atlantis as a comparison to your 62 cm.

~Hugh 

[Tony DeFilippo]

Hugh,

That would have been a good photo to take, I'll do it next time.  Mine is actually a 64... 

As good as the electronic correspondence is here I have really enjoyed the handful of rides and face to face meetings.  As a matter of fact I also met Steve Palinscar on Saturday for a group ride with a local Alexandria civic group, pictures if that to follow!

Tony

[Michael]

Awesome mechanical ability to change your own bb there. Very cool.

I have never messed with a drivetrain before, other than shifters and cable set up.

Great riding on the CC trail. And the sweet thing is you probably got to ride trails from your place all the way there. Did you go from Arlington trails, through Georgetown, onto to the CC trail?.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Hey Michael,  yep I took 4 mile run to mount Vernon trail to the 14th st bridge and then followed the river side paths up to Georgetown... Great ride, lots of people out enjoying the weather.

I took a great class, the park tool school via Spokes in Belle Haven this time last year, great intro to the full bike.  I'd definitely recommend it if you can make the time.

Tony

[Ron Mc]

certainly not to offend - there is no trick to changing cartridge bottom brackets.  Just need the right tools (starting with the right BB helps Most).  Clean up everything and grease the threads.  If you have a good torque wrench, crank puller and Shimano BB tool all that's left is the 32mm drain-plug socket to drive the Shimano BB tool (or a Really Big crescent wrench and a good guess on the torque).  Even the torque is not extreme - about the same as a crankset, 40-ish N-m, 400-ish lb-in.  

Thanks for sharing the photos - what a great ride - and that looming rail path looks even better

[Ron Mc]

and ps - bike shops have much better tools than any of us home mechanics can afford.  If you're at the point of trying to remove persnickety BB cup, take it to your local bike shop - they have the fancy BB tools that grab it from both sides and dial it out effortlessly.  

[Minh]

the 'old' square taper bottom brackets are easy-peasy to replace with a handful of special tools that cost less then $20.  i've changed the old ones many times, the new splined ones just scare me, i would not even try.  

give me a cup and cone anyday!  

[WETH]

Tony,

Thanks for a nice ride.  I enjoyed riding with you again and seeing the transformation of your Atlantis.  I look forward to future rides.

Here is a photo of your Atlantis.

All the best,

Erl 

[WETH]

Hopefully the photo shows up this time. :)

[Tony DeFilippo]

Hey Erl thanks for the picture!  Great day for a ride, better than what today is developing into... :)  Stay warm!

Tony

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[Garth]

You can sell your Axix BB for sure. Either replace the bearings or sell it as is with the knowledge that the user needs to replace the 6903 bearings.   And you need either the TA lockring tool or a good universal lockring tool.  That's why I never bothered with the Axix myself, I dislike lockrings in general, aluminum ones especially !