BT Forum

Trek uses the traditional English bottom bracket width of 68 mm.


Edited by MadMathemagician 2009-11-06 8:11 PM

Thank You.  Now, do all cranks work with that size BB?  I am new at the bike building thing (as if you couldn't tell).

Would this work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-105-Crankset-double-and-external-bottom-bracket_W0QQitemZ260499635710QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca6fcfdfe

or this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-FC-R550-Crankset-and-Bottom-Bracket-53-39_W0QQitemZ150386217635QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2303b792a3

or this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260499635710&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Edited by mscotthall 2009-11-06 8:35 PM

Funny!  Thanks Charlie.  I am going to go to Rocky Point Bicycles (I've become pretty friendly with the mechanic there) and get some input from him as well.  The book will come in handy.  I'll put your goggles in the mailbox too.

I understand that I need a English bottom bracket with a width of 68 mm. but what if that isn't clearly identified in an ebay ad?  How do I know if I can use it?

The two standards I know for bottom brackets are the English and Italian standards.   English, America, and Asia made bike use the 68 standard.   Italian bikes use a 70 mm standard.   I don't know what the French use.   Trek is not a French or Italian made bike and Trek is listed as an American company.

I just recently completed building a tri bike for myself.   I had the same questions that you have and will have.    I started with a Quintana Roo Private Reserve frame that  I got on eBay for $100 and build from there.   Putting a bike together from scratch is an adventure and an education.

I have a spare bottom bracket I could send you.  It's a spare that came with the crankset  I bought after first having bought a bottom bracket separately.

Once you do choose which bottom bracket to use then you will be limited to cranksets that are designed for that particular bottom bracket.   You may want to watch ebay for sets of bottom brackets and cranksets.  That way you wouldn't have to research which crankset goes with which bottom bracket like I did.

I went for an external bottom bracket and an integrated crankset.    I'll have to look to see exactly which brand and model I ended up with.

wow.  thanks so much.  So I've been on the right track searching for sets.

Try www.nashbar.com They have good deals on everything. Keep watching there site because they change the deals every week. I but alot of goods form them. Always check there clearance section.

Good luck with the bike build, I just built a Planet x TT.

Also if you check out www.leaderbike.com they have a few TT frames that don't cost alot. I think there is one for $139 that is a TT frame with a 76 degree seat tube angle.

I have an FSA Team Issue MegaExo compact crankset, 172.5 with bottom bracket I just took off my tri bike that I'm getting ready to sell. It's got about 450 miles on it.

Specifications:
Crank/FD Type: Road Compact
BB Shell Width: 68 mm
Crank Intended Use: Road
Chain Compatibility: Shim/SRAM 10
BB Thread Type: English
Spindle Interface Type: MegaExo
Pedal Spindle: 9/16"
Bolt Pattern: 5-Bolt
Chainring BCD: 110 mm
Arm Length: 172.5 mm
Rings: 34/50

PM me if you are interested.

thanks, but I just ordered one