Bottom Bracket Sizing

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Guys. I have just purchased a new frame but don't have much info on it except to say that it's brand new (well never used and new enough for disc mounts), 17", unpainted, magnesium alloy, 3lb and is one of the Saracen Kili's.

Anyway... on the build up I'll need to fit a bottom bracket but not having one fitted I'll need to size it. I have a couple old spares in my tool box I could use as a guide but there must be a way of properly measuring this?
scratch

Cheers.

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:30 pm

Craig, do you mean the axle width or the diameter or both?

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Both although I hadn't thought about the diameter.

Taking a look at CRC there's 68/70/73 for the diameter and 113/118/121 lengths. I guess the diameter is a straight mm measurement. Does the axle length actually mean from one end to the other? I'll measure my old ones tonight.

Clearly I'd need to ensure the front chainrings sit out enough to clear the chain stay but not too far I can't select granny at the rear.

Cheers.

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:55 pm

You can prob measure the diameter of the BB shell on the frame. Will more than likely be 68 or 73.

As for the axle length, these are crank specific and it shouldn't therefore matter what frame you use. So if your transferring your existing cranks to the Kili, providing the diameter is the same the cranks/BB will be fine.

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Ah....

I am running an XT crank, can't remember taking any size measurements from the old one when I upgraded but I guess I must have done. I know I altered the ratio.

So taking a random crank size from CRC what does the 170mm measurement refer to? scratch

I am clear on the rest.

170mm 4-Bolt 22.32.44

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:30 pm

I think the 170mm refers to the length of the arms

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:31 pm

yep length of the arms.

175 is the norm.

It should say the length on the back of your existing ones.

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

As soon as you said crank arm length the penny dropped.

Cheers guys.

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:04 pm

Have you built this up yet Craig?

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Dude, no not yet.

The story so far... I got the frame back from the painters last Saturday. It's been stove enamelled and lacquered. I went for a light gun metal in the end. At this point I have to say a BIG thanks to Becci Allen at Saracen Cycles I love you

(will email her a link). The seller of the 'never been used or painted frame' said that he thought it was a Saracen Kili Flyer. My research only took me so far so until I contacted Saracen. Becci got an engineer to look at some pics of the frame and diagnosed it as a 2003 Kili Flyer 1. After this point it appears they stopped using magnesium and switched to alluminium. The Kili 2 and 3's use carbon. Becci even sent me some free P clips for the hydraulics as it has bosses running along the top tube and chainstay. I am very impressed with Saracen, considering that they don't deal direct with the public and work through resellers.

I need to get a 27.2mm x 400mm seat tube. The rest of the gear on my current bike will transfer across (for the time being Laughing

but don't tell the Mrs). I want to use stainless braided hoses (replace my black stuff) and will need to replace my other cables. I curently use Avid Flakjackets as they've been the only trouble free cable I have used. Would quite like straight carbon bars and a carbon seatpost but may have to wait.

Anyway my wallet is now closed until next payday. I am doing the SPAM Winter Challenge on 7th Jan so will run my current bike until after payday and hopefully build up then.

Sorry if I waffled on... Sleep

I'll rent the community centre when it's built and run a slide show....

Oh... the painter, well he outsources that bit, his main trade is building bikes... http://www.leecoopercycles.com

afro

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:47 pm

Sounds like your putting alot of time and effort in, good to see, I'm sure it'll be very rewarding when you take it out for it's maiden voyage.

Don't forget to post pics Very Happy

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:56 pm

Craig, sounds like an epic build. Any pics of the beauty yet?

I had a look on Lee's website. And £100 for a full shot blact and spray sounds pretty darn good.

I've always wanted a personalised paint job, I might have a think of a design ! Very Happy

_________________
Ride it like you've stolen it.........
Litespeed Niota

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Dude,

I went for light gun metal but it wasn't my first choice. As it happens I now think it's a better colour than what I was going to go for. I had the frame enamelled and over lacquered.

If you absolutely want THE colour then learn from my mistake.

1. Speak to Lee about the paint options and ask what type of paint he'll use as a colour layer.

2. Get your exact colour mixed up in the relevant type of paint at an auto paint suppliers.

3. Sketch out or provide your own graphics for over lacquering.

I didn't want graphics but I wish I'd have pitched up with my own tin of paint - I am still happy though Very Happy

Link to the build so far. That'll just be the painting then ....

http://bwffw.servehttp.com/bike/SaracenMagnesiumKiliFlyerImages.pdf

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 190

Oh if you're thinking of a colour then allow hmmmm about 12 months!!! It's worth having an aircraft hangar full of bikes just to satisfy 'colour lust'... so many great colours. Lee had a really funky metallic orange that looked great but you'd need to be doing 20 + mph everywhere and pulling somersaults where everyone else gets 4 inches of air just to pull it off.

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:44 pm

Craig, have you got you painted frame back yet?

Whats the finish like? Will it survive minor shoes scuffs etc?

How long did it take to turn around?
_________________
Ride it like you've stolen it.........
Litespeed Niota