Looking for a 54mm internal diameter eccentric BB shell. Anyone have one that they don’t need? I have tandem on the brain. Thanks
It is not clear if they sell direct or if you have to go through QBP. Also not clear if they sell the shells or just the internals.
Give R&E a call, they may be able to assist.
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I found this as well, not sure how to order from them:
Problem Solvers is a QBP brand, you’ll have to order through QBP.
You might try Aircraft Spruce - part# 03-11206 could easily be turned to give you the ID you need.
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I priced out the metal from Aircraft Spruce and didn’t make $$ sense to buy the material and make one. I’ll try to get my LBS to order me one but that could take a while.
I’ll keep hunting. Thanks for the info!!
They’re super cheap, Problem Solvers distributor here in the UK sells them for £10 (~$14USD). QBP have them in stock for $8.50USD. I just assume every LBS in the US has a QBP account and orders fairly regularly.
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I’m in Toronto, Canada. The last time I had my LBS order from QBP it took months.
Ah ok. Well I have a few here that I doubt I’ll use anytime soon. Happy to stick one in the mail if you cover shipping from the UK but that sounds like a last resort. Someone closer must have something.
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That’s very nice of you but I’m sure I can get one this side of the pond, I just have to be patient. Thanks anyway!
I’m not in a rush, I thought perhaps someone might have an extra one rolling around.
Are you set on Bushnell for the EBB? I’ve moved away from Bushnell a while ago and now use a PF30 EBB. I think it’s a much better design.
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I have never owned an eccentric BB and I thought PF30 was out of favour nowadays. I’ll look into PF30 BB, thanks for the suggestion!
Some of the PF30 EBBs are junk. Problem Solvers being one. The EBB from Rideworks is by far the best. The key is the precision locating pins that keep the cups in phase. This is essential for eliminating premature bearing wear. All of the bikes that required EBBs at my last company used them (tensioning for Rohloff bikes).
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Last time I needed one, I got the Problem Solvers shell here:
$20-ish with free shipping (for me, in US) from Pennsylvania USA.
Dunno what ship to CA will be.
That PF30 one that @stevenshand showed looks nice but I’m a vintage guy, like doing things the old way, so I used brazed-on pinch bolts with a slit to tighten on an old-style “dumb” eccentric insert. Nothing against Bushnells, they’re great, but complex and too new for my “Colonial Williamsbug re-enactor” mentality.
Those large washers clamped in place during fillet brazing worked perfectly, the shell was still round after, no reaming or boring needed for a perfect sliding fit with the eccentric insert.
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Mark that’s awesome! I am hobbyist with a regular job, if I can get away using something less expensive, I am all over it. Thanks for the link, 10% Memorial Day sale to boot! Lol. Thanks.
I like the way you slit the BB for the pinching action.
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Thanks. I did the slits on a mill with a slitting saw, but back in the early-'80s I did a bunch of those with a hacksaw. For a few years there I made nothing but tandems, after a rave review in Buycycling mag. Waiting list stretched out to 3 years at one point. Tubes mitered with a hacksaw and half-round files too, almost no machinery, boss was too cheap. You get good with a hacksaw when it’s all you have.
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I ordered a BB shell and I was wondering if you could tell what eccentric shaft (the inner eccentric thing) do you prefer? I plan on using two pinch bolts like your excellent example.
The problem solvers shell inner diameter is 54mm, I’m guessing this a standard size?
Sorry, it’s been over 30 years since I knew any of that. I did one repair a few years ago, that’s the pic with the slits and pinchbolts. I used the Problem Solvers shell and an insert I got used on ebay.
I didn’t like how chunky it was so I turned it down to be more svelte.
Sorry I don’t remember the brand or diameter. Dunno if there are any standards. Good luck.
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As nobody else has mentioned this yet, Ceeway carries 54mm eccentric shells and has them listed on their website. (p.2 of Bracket Shells).
I’ll wait until I have the BB shell in my hand before ordering an eccentric shaft. A quick eBay search turned up few different shaft diameters. I’m guessing many have made their own BB shell and shaft.