[HoldingOn]

Reasonably new to cycling and definitely new to bike maintenance. Bought a cheap Voodoo Limba for my commute to work (its part muddy canal path, part road) – have covered about 4,500km on it and noticed a “clank” when I sometimes turn the pedals. There is a bit of lateral movement on the cranks – so I figured I need to replace the bottom bracket.
Went on the Voodoo website, no helpful details of the bottom bracket: “Bottom Bracket Thread BC: 1.37 x 24T”  The shop i bought it from gave slightly more details: “Bottom Bracket: Sealed, square taper, 68/122.5mm”
I’ve then taken the bottom bracket out of the bike and it says: 68 L:113 C:22.5
I’ve then measured the axle and it is 113mm long – so I’ve purchased: “SHIMANO BB-UN300 bottom bracket British thread, 68-113 mm”
Have I gone wrong? Do different manufacturers have different measuring techniques?
I think I’m going to have to start keeping a piece of paper with the actual specifications on them!

Topic

[HoldingOn]

Made it into work okay – so

Made it into work okay – so the new bottom bracket works.
Have checked for thread imperfections – simply ran my nail around the thread and couldn’t feel anything. It also tightens the correct way (apparently you can get alternative threadings), so I think i will try fitting it again this weekend. I’m not happy having the threads exposed with the old cup recessed.
Definitely a learning experience!

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[HoldingOn]

I’ll have a proper look

I’ll have a proper look tomorrow.
The new one is plastic though, which seems strange.
Being the cautious type, I think i’ll throw the old one in my bag, along with the tools, just in case…

[Rendel Harris]

HoldingOn wrote:

HoldingOn wrote:

except for the left cup(?) – it would not screw in no matter how many times/ways I tried it 

Have you checked for any thread imperfections? It’s amazing how the smallest easily-filed-off burr can prevent connection.

[HoldingOn]

Well the bike is back

Well the bike is back together. The new bottom bracket was indeed the same size as the old one, so it fit in fine
except for the left cup(?) – it would not screw in no matter how many times/ways I tried it (yes, I know you turn it in the opposite direction of the pedals to tighten) I have used the cup from the old bottom bracket and it fits, but doesn’t sit flush to the frame – it has screwed in far enough to be recessed by about 5mm.
The pedals turn (always useful) so I’ll find out tomorrow how it cycles.

[Ride On]

Another recommend for doing
Another recommend for doing your own maintenance – but buy the right tools – you will probably find you can get the spares and the tool for less than the price the LBS will charge for fixing it.

You can also do your repairs/maintenance when you need and not have to wait until they can fit you in… and you have the tools ready for next time.

[HoldingOn]

Unfortunately it’s not an
Unfortunately it’s not an upgrade, rather a replacement.
I have been really happy with the Limba. It was a cheap bike (not sure when £500 started being cheap!) but it’s been really nice to ride.
As with everyone, I dream of replacing it with something much better, but funds dictate that!

[Anonymous]

Upgrading a Voodoo bike is a
Upgrading a Voodoo bike is a fool’s errand. Eventually you will have replaced every part except the frame, and the frame is the worst part of it. Just save money you would spend on upgrading it towards a good bike. Cheers.

[mike the bike]

The problem with bike sellers

The problem with bike sellers is they like the flexibility of fitting substitute parts when it suits them.  This keeps the supply chain active and, dare I say it, is an opportunity to hoick the price a little.  It also means supplying a list of all the parts on a particular bike is slightly inconvenient for them but can be really, really inconvenient for the owner.  But hey, no-one ever lost money by annoying the customer.

If, or when, you get deeply into cycling you may start to fit whole groupsets to your machines.  It’s what most of us do ’cause it looks pretty and the parts should gel together well.  Another advantage is that you get to know each component and can easily identify replacements, or if the missus allows, upgrades.

Keep pedalling.

[HoldingOn]

Thanks – fingers crossed it

Thanks – fingers crossed it all goes back together tomorrow!

I am very much in the “fix it myself” camp, but am frustrated that I can’t find a list of the parts in the bike. It feels very much like “search for ages and then pick the one that looks the closest”
I need to find my local bike shop and make some new friends…

[ktache]

Sounds good, you appear to

Sounds good, you appear to have the right length axle and the right shell size for the bottom bracket, to be able to get it out you have the correct tool.

Even if there is 1/2mm difference it’s not going to make too much difference, maybe a slight adjustment on the front derailleur, if you have one.

Enjoy doing your own spannering, there will be mistakes, some expensive, but you will learn from everyone of them. And such a feeling of satisfaction.

[Author]

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