bikeperson45 Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 (edited) I was out riding, when all of a sudden my cranks stopped spinning. After sadly walking home, I've taken the bottom bracket apart and all but three of the ball bearings wear in halves of pieces.Where should I get replacements and is there a standard size (it's an Echo BB but I'm unsure of the model)?And if/when I do get them, how do I go about replacing them? Thanks EDIT: Research into it has proven that it has sealed bearings (or something similar) so I do need to get a new BB. So what's a good external bottom bracket? It doesn't look like Tartybikes sell them so is my best bet getting an MTB one off ChainReaction? Thanks Changed the topic title, got a new bottom bracket question. So I can run an internal bottom bracket, despite what mechanic at LBS said, so which is the best to go for? Was looking on Tarty and they're all reasonably similar to me. Is/what are the ones that wouldn't work with an Echo Control 07 frame with Middleburn cranks and bash? 128mm spindle and 68mm shell and ISIS And what is thought of as generally the best? I just really need a strong, long lasting one. My bikes heavy enough now that I don't really care about weight. Two people have said the Trialtech Race, but is it that much better than one of the cheaper ones? Thanks Edited January 11, 2011 by bikeperson45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burrows Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 If its an Echo BB then it is almost certain to have cartridge bearings. They aren't always replaceable, post a photo up so we can see what model it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Research into it has proven that it has sealed bearings (or something similar) so I do need to get a new BB. So what's a good external bottom bracket? It doesn't look like Tartybikes sell them so is my best bet getting an MTB one off ChainReaction? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan6061 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 On the bearing cartridge, usually on the seal, it'll have a code written on it. If it does then it's the bearing size. If it has that, then you'll know what size the bearings are, and you can get them from most bearing places. - There's a fair few online, maybe even one in an industrial estate near you. They're just standard bearings I think. Press in to fit them, so removing them could be a bit of hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Aren't they roller bearings or whatever they're called? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambo Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Why does it have to be an external bottom bracket? Id go for the trialtech race isis bb. Good weight, good price and solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Why does it have to be an external bottom bracket? Id go for the trialtech race isis bb. Good weight, good price and solid. Guy at my LBS said it, it's for an echo control frame with middleburn cranks and bash, not FFW. Thanks for replys, are the balls inside the bearings then? I haven't seen one that wasn't broken... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupintart Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 (edited) No other external BB will work. That Echo one is more like a hybrid in that it has external cups, but will only work with that ISIS axle, not external cranks. If you were to go out and buy an external BB, it wouldn't work with that axle and they don't come with axles: So ANY ISIS BB will work. Echo no longer makes that BB, so you're shit outta luck on that one. Edited January 2, 2011 by rupintart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 So what should I be looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Just a standard ISIS BB by the sounds of it, have you measured the shell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phatmike Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 The new Trialtech BB is pretty popular at the moment. I've got one and it seems well thought out and is doing the job nicely. http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/isis_splined_bbs/trialtech_sport_lite_isis_with_bolts/c2p11365.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Instead of shelling out for a whole new BB, those Echo external BBs' bearings can be replaced. If you're already prone to mashing up the bearings inside on the larger Echo external BBs then almost any internal ISIS BB'll likely fall apart from your riding too. Trialtech Sport Lite ISIS BB and Echo TR ISIS BB are great, but if you can find a replacement set of bearings from a good bearing manufacturer like SKF, then that'd likely be the cheapest solution and long lasting too, kinda like how someone else(can't remember as I type, sorry!) suggested earlier! I do remember CLS or someone along those lines, maybe Biff, had a bunch of replacement bearings to just press fit into those big Echo sleeves, so replacements are obtainable so long as you can identify a code on the bearing shield. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I've found the bearing online now, so probably going to get that. The other problem is part of the bearing that screws into the gold external cup snapped so the part that screws in is still stuck in there. I think I have to chisel it out or something. But would I be able to use that Trialtech one, (mainly out of curiosity now) it's just that the mechanic at my LBS insisted it would have to be an external for it to work with my cranks and frame. My current Echo one is 68mm shell and 128mm. Would my Echo one be stronger generally? Thanks for replys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burrows Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I've found the bearing online now, so probably going to get that. The other problem is part of the bearing that screws into the gold external cup snapped so the part that screws in is still stuck in there. I think I have to chisel it out or something. But would I be able to use that Trialtech one, (mainly out of curiosity now) it's just that the mechanic at my LBS insisted it would have to be an external for it to work with my cranks and frame. My current Echo one is 68mm shell and 128mm. Would my Echo one be stronger generally? Thanks for replys The mechanic at your LBS is wrong. He's thinking of the external BBs that come on most road and MTBs now, which are very different to the Echo one. Any 68x128mm ISIS BB will work, including the Trialtech. It is a well designed BB with a good bearing design, but the axle won't be quite as thick as the Echo one. If you can get the Echo BB fixed it will be reliable and is the cheap option. The only advice I can give to take out the bearing is to be patient and try not to damage the cup the bearing sits into. If you heat up the outer cup that can help. Aluminium expands quicker than steel when heated, so if you do it right then sometimes the bearing will pull out much easier. The last resort if it's really stuck would be to cut it out. Break up the bearing so the balls and inner race come out, then cut a line into the outer bearing race with a keyhole saw or a dremel tool. It should be easy to prise it out then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Unless the LBS specifically deals with trials bikes I tend to avoid them to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Was unsuccessful at getting a new cup and getting the stuck part of the bearing out, so bump and slightly new questions. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burrows Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Was unsuccessful at getting a new cup and getting the stuck part of the bearing out, so bump and slightly new questions. Thanks Is it repairable, and if so do you fancy selling it to me? As for a replacement, the Trialtech Race is decent for the money. Bearings last well although the axle isn't as strong as some designs (depends how harsh you are). Truvativ DH is also good for the money. Strong axle and the bearings are pretty good, just slightly heavier than others.Oh and any 68x128mm BB will fit, as you're running middleburns you shouldn't have any problems there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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