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General Category >> Technical >> XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
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Message started by Tiger_Mike on Jul 27^th, 2013, 5:33pm

Title: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by Tiger_Mike on Jul 27^th, 2013, 5:33pm

Last year in July, the bottom bracket on my Xstream started getting noisy and loose. It had about 1000 miles on it. The bike shop replaced the bearings, said they didn't know what would have caused the failure. At the time I chalked it up to bad luck - maybe they were bad from the factory, maybe they were damaged during install. Now I'm pretty sure there must be a cause of some kind, because they squeak badly again, especially under load. The bike only has 2380 miles on it, so there's something going on. Are these things sealed cartridge bearings, or do they need to be lubed and adjusted periodically? If it isn't poor maintenance and it isn't the bearings, there must be something slightly out of kilter with the housing. Would a local bike shop like Colonels be able to face the ends of the bottom bracket and true up the bores, or is it more involved than that? Please let the opinions flow, I'm kinda at a loss here.

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by Phantom Rider on Jul 27^th, 2013, 5:54pm

Don't know about Colonel's but I'm confident Bonzai Cycle Werx can do the job, they are located at 35W and Heritage Trace on the north end of town.

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by johnnybent on Jul 27^th, 2013, 6:51pm

I guess I'm lucky on mine but I've never had a problem with any bike I've owned. Anyway I have apx. 15 grand on my Xstream and I have replaced the chain, cassette and rings. The bottom bracket is still smooth.

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 30^th, 2013, 12:52pm

Likewise, no issues with the BB on either of my Xstreams.... If John Paulus were in town, I'd say take it to Lancaster, but he's in Colorado for the summer...

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by Tiger_Mike on Jul 30^th, 2013, 9:51pm

The Bike Whisperer (aka JayG) told me to check my chain ring bolts...two of them were a little bit loose, and that was the source of the squeaking. They weren't loose loose, they just weren't super tight. So let that be a reminder to my fellow engineers....sometimes problems are simple, so don't be so quick to look for complicated answers!

Thanks Jay, I owe you a root beer float! [smiley=cheers.gif]

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by jayg on Jul 30^th, 2013, 10:14pm

Tiger_Mike wrote:

You're welcome, Mike. Root beer floats are my favorite. That homemade ice cream at the Lancaster Air Show is a close second. :)

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by TonyWard on Jul 31^st, 2013, 8:38am

Tiger_Mike wrote:

When they get a little more loose and all but one fall out from rough chip seal when you are Meunster, it will sound like someone hitting a fence post with a sledge hammer. And your small chaingring will look like it is bent while it flops around. Dont' ask me how I know. [smiley=embarassed.gif]

Title: Re: XStream Bottom Bracket Issue
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 31^st, 2013, 9:04pm

The bottom bracket cratered on my Xstream within a week after I bought it from Greg. I run q-rings, so i'm used to seeing the chainrings bob up and down. Watching them move side to side is very disconcerting, though.