Octalink ES25 replacement?

On 2017-08-12 06:54, Tosspot wrote:
On 11/08/17 22:04, Joerg wrote:
On 2017-08-11 12:39, AMuzi wrote:
On 8/11/2017 1:00 PM, Joerg wrote:
The BB on my MTB makes a ticking sound when warmed up, sounds
similar to a hot car engine after it is turned off. It has also
develoved an ever so slight play, just a few mils. It is an
Shimano ES25 Octalink.

How long do you guys let that go before replacing?

Can anyone recommend a better quality BB for this that lasts
longer than 5k miles and doesn't cost an arm and a leg?


Ensure the arms are not loose on the spindle first.


They are on tight. The play is also a bit sideways. If I keep riding
will it just become gradually worse or can it fail catastrophically
in the middle of nowhere?

On my last Shimano 600 BB I rode until it had about 0.1" play in the
largest chain ring and shifting trim became iffy (old friction
shifter bike). But that was an ajustable BB where I could milk out a
second life by mounting the cranks 180 degrees rotated.

What I don't like on these newfangled BBs is the left side plastic
cup. For the road bike I got a UN-55, only aluminum on the left but
at least not plastic.

The UN-55 is the Canine Wobblers of BBs imho. Cottered, Octalink,
Outboard, have all failed me over the years, but never a UN-55.


I researched a bit on durability and also came up with the UN-55 which I
have now installed in my 1982 road bike. However, the UN-55 is square
taper and my MTB has Deore M522 cranks which are Octalink.


... Ok,
they do eventually wear out with year long commuting, but I reckon on
10-15k miles. That said, the last was on the 10K side of things. Bit
disappointed tbh, but the Shimano outboard ones I used to change
annually and I had stability issues with the Octalink. That said, I
still do have one Octalink, and it seems ok and 3k miles, but them's is
dry miles...


My rides are mostly also dry but lots of dust, rock hits into the
cranks, pedals and my feet, plus the occasional creek crossing and rainy
ride.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/