Hi
Investigating a creak on the bike - I took the cranks out of the bb and found the silver coating where the thru axle contacts the outboard bearings had worn off in places

I've only been riding this stuff regularly since March - yes the shell was faced

Its the cheaper RF set - anyone else have similar probs?

It seems from what I've seen in my LBS that there's BB facing and there's BB facing. Because it's only really been necessary since the introduction of outboard BB cups, not all LBS's have invested in (or already had) the proper tools for the job. Consequently some think it's OK to just remove the paint on the face of the BB shell and pop the cups in. Methods of doing this seem to range from sand paper to files and possibly even an angle grinder! It's easy to tell if it's been done properly, the faces should be smooth with a machined appearance, any lines, grooves or polishing suggest it hasn't been done properly.

I'm not saying this has happened with yours Mike. However there are more and people coming here and saying "my B has been faced" when the BB was installed, yet it only lasts a matter of months.

The surface of the axle will show sings of wear even if the BB has been face properly though, it's caused by the axle turning in the bearings.

Hmm - they actually did my other frame too - the other one has done 12 months of abuse with no probs - so maybe not - perhaps I just got unlucky

They def have the tools!!

I have heard that FR X type BB can be a little finicky sometimes. For example one of my buddies installed a RF deus crankset and the cranks felt really stiff to turn as if the bearings were shagged. My other friend (for I have only two :( ) who is also a greasemonkey by profession said that this is a common problem with the RF X type stuff and it just needed taking apart and reinstalling. Could be that the crankset wasn't 100% properly installed.

"They def have the tools!!" I have a scalpel but you wouldn't want me to do your heart bypass!

I have to admit I fitted the bb in this case - prob the prob!!


- re tols - two bikes - both done at same shop etc etc

Ok - just taken the one off the other bike and the thru axle is going too

It that a bit much having paid £!!!

Is Shimano as rubbish or is it back to Octalink?