One Part Will INSTANTLY Make Your Bike Feel Better!

There's one part that a lot of people make the mistake of not using when building their bikes.
This one part will make your bike smoother and less creaky and can even help with a trick or two!
Watch the video to find out and make your bike better!
Odyssey Write Up - www.odysseybmx.com/dailyword/2...
"So what exactly is a bottom bracket spacer and what does it do?
It is a spacer that goes between bottom bracket bearings to reduce bearing strain by giving the bearings something to always tighten or push against.
To start, what is a bottom bracket bearing composed of?
It is an, Inner race, steel balls and an outer race.
The outer race is what touches the frame, the inner race is what goes around the spindle. Its worth mentioning too that the bearing is only meant to spin around one axis.
Since the bearings can only be pushed into the frame so far before the outer race is stopped, having no spacer means that tightening the cranks pushes the inner bearing races toward the center of the frame and each other.
Basically the outer race cannot move so the force on the inner race is constantly trying to separate the bearing.
This is called side loading.
As bearings start to wear, the tolerances between steel balls and the races grow, allowing them to move independently of each other. If there is any movement between the bearing parts you will most likely hear it when you pedal.
On top of this, having no spacer allows pedaling to put other forces on the bearings.
Each rotation of the cranks puts both forward and backward force on each bearing during the entire rotation and tries to make the inner bearing races wobble off axis. In general this makes for unnecessary drag on the bearings when pedaling.
With cranks getting beefier and spindles growing, bearing size has had to shrink and there is less flex in the cranks or spindle. Less flex equals more stress on these smaller bearings when pedaling. Unless you have a bottom bracket spacer between the bearings.
Bottom bracket spacers remove the different forces on the bearings by placing something between the inner bearing races. This means that when the cranks are tightened, there is something to tighten against. Rather than constantly pushing the inner races toward each other with nothing to tighten against, the force is distributed evenly, and the bearings are not as stressed by tightening or pedaling.
Imagine it like this, if you have just an axle in your fork dropouts with no hub and you tighten axle nuts against the dropouts, the dropouts would have nothing to tighten against and would bend toward each other. Add in the hub and that empty space is filled, giving the dropouts something to tighten against.
So not only will having a spacer eliminate side load and quiet your creaky bottom bracket, it will also make for a smoother pedaling experience.
Another thing this can be good for is the ability to have tight cranks and still be able to crank flip.
With the inner bearing races in alignment with the outer races and tight against something on both sides, the tightness of the cranks doesn’t have an affect on how they spin.
So if you’ve ever wondered why your cranks wont spin with a loose chain and without loosening your cranks, this is probably the reason.
Some frames have different width bottom bracket shells that will need different spacers, however if you buy a complete bottom bracket set up it should come with everything you need for the different width shells.
Common widths are 68 and 73mm.
My profile bottom bracket came with both a 68mm spacer as well as a 5mm spacer to make 73mm.
To know what width your bottom bracket is, simply measure the tube from end to end as shown.
Another side note, Odyssey has a great write up from 2004 about this topic on their site that I will link below.
So what do you think?
Are bottom bracket spacers important? Is it worth the trouble of taking out your bearings? Or do you not care?
I will say that it was absolutely worth it for me and only took about 15 minutes. By putting the spacer in my frame and oiling the chain, all creaking was completely removed, pedaling became smoother and crank flips spun much easier, all within a matter of seconds."
New videos every Mon. Tues. Weds. & Saturday with random videos in between.
Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the video, please consider to like favorite and subscribe!
Consider Subscribing - bit.ly/Brant_Moore

[@Bobby_Uterus]

100% ! There is a reason that spacer comes with the bottom bracket kit. It's supposed to be in there, it's not just a suggestion. Just because it works without it, doesn't mean its right and that it wont cause the bearings to fail prematurely.

[@focusedflat1]

In flatland we prefer not to use these. When we set our cranks for our next link, we want our cranks to stay where they are set for the upcoming trick(s) and not spin on us. Plus we don't pedal around as much as any other discipline of bmx so the worry of wear on the bearings is non existant. If I had my cranks free spinning, I would be annoyed at my session. Great video and explanation. Very detailed!

[@Brant_Moore]

+Adam DiClaudio That's really interesting. Definitely makes sense. And you're not landing rough from high up ever either. Bearings probably last forever! Thanks for the kind words and that's for watching!

[@1pyroace1]

I always use these I thought all the bb came with these but I also see your point n I was trying to find a way to eliminate this issue when I’m spinning on my bike

[@Yus1409]

Hey, that's a really good point.

[@thunderhorse6666]

Yeah I still yet to use one of those and never had an issue

[@sn0fx]

Make a washer from rubber (like an old bike tire for example) and install it under the dust cover on the drive side. This adds enough friction to stop your cranks from moving without foot input and allows you to run the bearing spacer like a civilized human being.

[@420rvidxr]

This video is brillant! Explains in a very simple way a big problem that everybody had before or still have, thank you! I'm going to share it with all my buddies

[@Brant_Moore]

Thanks so much! That would be so awesome for you to share it. Consider subscribing for more!:)

[@BlurnGanston]

That’s one of your best videos, Brant - Thanks!

[@Yus1409]

Very good video, well presented, informative and to the point. Thank you.

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you! Hope it was helpful!

[@YamminHondas]

My prebuilt cult gateway came with no spacer. This video helped alot. Im ordering new bearings and a SPACER!

[@AC.Prince]

Checking to make sure I have one being I purchased my bike used. Thanks

[@Aloha967-tree-fo-wer]

F’ing excellent video. I just watched another pro throw the spacer away. I am a 49 year old engineer, and I applaud your explanation of why a spacer is needed. Good job @Brant_Moore

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you!!! I love hearing things like that about videos like this from an engineer! Lets me know that I'm doing something right!

[@Dopeassbikevids]

I ride MTB,I used to ride bmx,this is awesome, can't believe I haven't seen this yet, good job

[@hightowerbikes909]

Great video, hit the spot!

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you!! Pumped you enjoyed it! This somewhat set a quality standard for me moving forward after making it

[@ArmTheCreative]

MY MAN!!!! 100% truth!! REAR HUB would be next!

[@apexbmx5852]

old video but you put a lot of work into this. Thanks!

[@Brant_Moore]

Hey thank you!! I remember this one being a lot of work. Haha

[@apexbmx5852]

@@Brant_Moore yeah, your illustrations were spot on! I just shared it with a couple guys working on a Monza. Keep up the great work!

[@tadoerflercreates3450]

your best work yet!

[@Brant_Moore]

+TADoerfler Creates ;) Decided to put a little more effort into one. Thanks man!!

[@crypttonite]

I'd like to pit the spacer in, the one with my cranks was longer than the previous one, I need it filed down. Could you do a demo on removing the bearings? What tool to use.

[@haanibaby2844]

nice vid dude! definetly usefull video! :)

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you! Happy you found it useful!!!

[@just2cali]

U answer my 2 month question not even snider would help or explain it as good as u just did im ridin a fit bmx bile from 2014 2016 ithink and my bearing kept gettin eatij up this hole time

[@supernoobsmith5718]

Great explanation.

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you! Do you run a spacer?

[@supernoobsmith5718]

Absolutely. It would be foolish not to. There are much easier ways to slow the cranks. I personally dont do it, but I would use a rubber washer or a piece of tube on the outside like the mtb slopestyle guys. There is also a kit out there with a nylon bushing that can be tightened with screws to modulate the pressure easily. Honestly, at my age I'm happy to not do no footers. I have to be selective with my actions to mitigate injury as I ease myself back into the sport after many years. I'll be happy to just carve around bowls....something that didn't exist in my time in my area.

[@Brant_Moore]

Oh I didn’t even know there was a kit for that. That’s pretty cool. If you have brakes, that’s the easiest way to keep your wheel from spinning in a feet off trick. That point you made is exactly why I moved towards tech stuff and away from jumping box jumps to flat. Would much rather ride as long as possible!

[@pinkmadcow]

If you did everything like Brant and your cranks still don't spin very well, sandpaper the frame before pressing in the bearings. You can feel that your frame is to tight if your braring stops spinning while pressed in. Just don't sandpaper it too much or you will have to start using crankstops.

[@mjespinosa4452]

So does it spin around the spindle with the bearings cause if it’s butted up to the inner race of the bearings wouldn’t it creat drag or grinding?

[@sb-ez2ss]

great vid

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you!!!

[@blakewoelfel6089]

I got that exact same frame

[@Brant_Moore]

Its a great frame! Thanks for watching man. Hope to see you in the comments again

[@marceloquirogabustamante672]

If you have that problem of spinning cranks Search on youtube Hot to do a crank stopper There is one of szymon godzyek that could help you a lot of.

[@Brant_Moore]

Thank you

[@trevorgordon1675]

Hey bud I got a complete mid bb brand new in the package for my spare frame being I don't 100% fully know what I'm doing but got a rough idea from a how to on here to put it in the frame should I just go with that or go to a shop and have it done ? sorry for a stupid question thought I'd just ask

[@Brant_Moore]

+Trevor Gordon Not a stupid question. It's definitely not worth taking to a shop for that. If you search on here there are videos to make your own bottom bracket installation tool. Or you can go the route most do and just grease up the bearing really good then set it in there as lined up as possible then just tap around the outside of the bearing in circles until it goes in all the way. Spencer foresmans last video building his bike shows this pretty well. Just don't forget the spacer!

[@trevorgordon1675]

Ight I'll look into that then thanks bud keep shredding hard 😊

[@Create_o_raptor]

what do i do if that spacer is narrower than whats needed for my bb shell on the frame

[@Brant_Moore]

You can use bottom bracket spacers to fill the gap. Thats essentially what it is. A long bottom bracket spacer.

[@Create_o_raptor]

I never had the issue. I didn't think much of it.. But my bike had it from the factory I didn't mess with it.. atleast I know what it's for now ..

[@Brant_Moore]

Yep, always wanna throw it back in when putting bearings into a frame

[@pash55]

I have one as well but the cranks keep on spinning the same speed

[@Brant_Moore]

Try loosening them a little bit. Or it could be that the spacer is too skinny

[@x88868]

Can you recommend a site where I can buy these separately? I can't seem to find any anywhere. I don't want to buy a different bottom bracket set just for the spacer. I noticed that different brands make them in different sizes. I just want to buy the correct size for my bike.

[@Brant_Moore]

Honestly I don’t know if they can be bought separately

[@x88868]

@@Brant_Moore I guess, I'm going to have to make them myself. What would you recommend; brass, bronze, aluminum, or carbon fiber?

[@Brant_Moore]

Probably aluminum. That’s what they’re made of usually

[@x88868]

@@Brant_Moore Thanks. Do you think I should make them exactly the size from end to end of the bearings, or slightly smaller for extra space when tightening bolts onto spindle?

[@bmxadventures]

When purchasing a bottom bracket why does it ask 19mm or 22mm where is this length found.

[@Brant_Moore]

That is spindle size. That’s in your cranks

[@hliassbmx]

so do i need to use one couse i lost mine while cleaning the bb and i dont know if i should risk destroying the bearings

[@Brant_Moore]

They just won’t last as long. It shouldn’t destroy them that quickly. A lot of people don’t use them and their bearings last a while. It’s just better to have it

[@hliassbmx]

@@Brant_Moore alr i have another question the drive side spacer and the non drive side one are they there to protect the bearings from dirt and water? and does it play a role on how the bearings spin?

[@jackvalentine6672]

does he have a drum brake on the front wheel?

[@Brant_Moore]

Tennis ball

[@sole__doubt]

Its a hub guard.

[@joshuafrench2534]

Would be good if they welded these in to some frames

[@Cheesicle_]

It would be hard to remove the bearings then.

[@user-uh4ur3kx1z]

Can it crack your frame if you don't have one

[@Brant_Moore]

I've never heard that personally and it doesn't really make sense that it could, but you never know. Up until shooting this video, I just didn't use them.

[@johannezcarlbelda7131]

Can you make a diy how to make that thing

[@Brant_Moore]

Once you find a tube that is the right inner diameter its basically just cutting it to the corresponding size that your frame needs. I'd recommend just buying the proper one though because by the time you put time into making one, you could probably have bought one for less time, effort, and potential stress.

[@muffemod]

Because frame sizes are NOT standardized you may have to cut down the spacer to fit your frame, or even worse, try and source 50x 1mm spacers. It's just easier to forego it and get some weight savings to boot. It's easy to buy spare bearings for cheap. This could all be solved by standardizing the MID, Spanish, Euro, specs. Great educational video though.

[@Brant_Moore]

You're correct, but as I said in the video, most bottom bracket kits come with the 2 most common widths.

[@burger659]

changed the frame...wanted to install the same bottom bracket..spacer is to short now because of the new frame bottom size ...

[@Brant_Moore]

Ahhh that’s gotta be annoying. It would be nice if companies would all use the same bottom bracket width