[Xydadx3]

Looking for any insight or theories how this could come to be…

My LBS sent me this picture at my request after describing what they found over the phone. I had dropped my bike off with them for a noise that seemed to be getting worse coming from the BB general area.
The bike is a Quintana Roo SRFive with only 800 miles on it. The bottom bracket has never had any work done to it prior to this. The body threads do seem to be fine thankfully.

 

[duriel]

That does not look fine to me. I would start a warranty claim.

 

[oberwil]

Looks like when first put together then they force the BB in screwing up the threads. I'd have it warranty

 

[Xydadx3]

I should mention I sent the pictures to the manufacturer and the LBS contact info. That was yesterday afternoon. Parts are on order so I’m hoping to have her back on the road next week then deal with the warranty claim.

 

[Lombard]

I would just be extremely thankful that the body threads didn't get trashed.

 

[velodog]

Somebody got heavy handed on the install. It may be possible that the threads on the two sides of the bottom bracket of the frame are out of alignment.

It probably wouldn't hurt to have the frames BB threads chased by the shop before installing the new one.

 

[Xydadx3]

I didn’t want to skew any initial answers so I didn’t mention the LBS said the same thing as the consensus here seems to be: bad install.

Remaining questions: is there literally anything else that could possibly cause this, and could it really have been like that for 800 miles before starting to become noticeable?

I’d just like to go into this warranty process and any included discussions as knowledgeable as possible. I have a mechanical background but not bike-specific…

 

[Lombard]

Two words: Cross threaded.

I would say definitely an installer error.

 

[craiger_ny]

could it really have been like that for 800 miles before starting to become noticeable?

Yes. There are threads of a proprietary form that will interfere and 'lock' for retention purposes but the thing about those is that engagement is not compromised and they maintain integrity through use. In your case though, integrity of the joint was compromised from the get-go via form damage and use eventually revealed the failure mode. One could improperly thread a fastener to hold a nameplate on an appliance and be fine as it is a static joint not exposed to environmental variation. A bottom bracket joint however, is dynamic and with use a compromised one will exhibit symptoms of failure over time, noise being an early one.

 

[Xydadx3]

Ugh. Well the LBS called me back yesterday afternoon. They got the new part and did attempt to install it, but the frame threads were causing grinding so they stopped. They told me they don't have the specific $600 tool to clean up the T47 bottom bracket threads on the frame, nor does anyone else they know of in this area.

I'm waiting to hear from the manufacturer now on a warranty claim... I have a feeling I'm going to be shipping it off to them soon which means I won't have my baby for a while. What are the odds they repair the threads and send it back or they give me a new frame?

It's frustrating but that's why we have n+1 bikes, right? Could be worse; I'm glad its winter time not summer/spring.

 

[Lombard]

Ugh. Well the LBS called me back yesterday afternoon. They got the new part and did attempt to install it, but the frame threads were causing grinding so they stopped. They told me they don't have the specific $600 tool to clean up the T47 bottom bracket threads on the frame, nor does anyone else they know of in this area.

I'm waiting to hear from the manufacturer now on a warranty claim... I have a feeling I'm going to be shipping it off to them soon which means I won't have my baby for a while. What are the odds they repair the threads and send it back or they give me a new frame?

It's frustrating but that's why we have n+1 bikes, right? Could be worse; I'm glad its winter time not summer/spring.

This really sucks. I feel for you.

 

[velodog]

While you're waiting to hear from the mfg. it wouldn't hurt to call around to other bicycle shops asking if they have a BB threader/facer. It's a tool that a well-equipped shop should have.

 

[Xydadx3]

While you're waiting to hear from the mfg. it wouldn't hurt to call around to other bicycle shops asking if they have a BB threader/facer. It's a tool that a well-equipped shop should have.

The mfg replied they want the frame for evaluation before I even had the chance to call around. My shop said the T47 thread tool is a somewhat new design and not well stocked yet...
I'll be shipping the frame to them in the next couple days. I'm mostly nervous they'll find something else to blame besides cross threading the BB. I can't imagine what that might be but still.

 

[Xydadx3]

Ok so backtracking a little…

Teardown and reassembly is considered a ‘level 3’ service, costing upward of $300, plus boxing at $80, plus shipping estimated between $150-200. So nearly $600 just to send it off to be evaluated for a warranty claim…
Anywho that was enough motivation to call around and I found another shop who managed to thread a new BB in… but it wasn’t wide enough so the exact replacement part is now on order.

I’m excited I should have her back on the road by the middle of next week. I felt like I was getting out of there too cheap so I’ll buy some stuff in the shop and I commissioned a couple extra services while they have the bike. I’m also a little annoyed at the warranty process. Fingers crossed I’ll never have to think about making another claim.

 

[ogre]

I think you just found your new LBS.

 

[Finx]

Are you working with the shop where you purchased the bike? Are they are authorized service center for Quntana Roo?

Park has the tapping tool (BTS-1) and the T47 tap in stock. Seems to me a reputable shop should have these for this very reason, especially if they sell (and support) bikes with T47 shells.

BTS-1 Bottom Bracket Tapping & Facing Set

This professional cutter set verifies and repairs three important aspects of bottom bracket shells: thread alignment, thread integrity, and shell face alignment.

www.parktool.com

647R Right Hand Threaded T47 Tap

M47 x 1.0 right-hand threaded tap designed for T47 bottom bracket shells.

www.parktool.com

 

[Xydadx3]

Are you working with the shop where you purchased the bike? Are they are authorized service center for Quntana Roo?

Park has the tapping tool (BTS-1) and the T47 tap in stock. Seems to me a reputable shop should have these for this very reason, especially if they sell (and support) bikes with T47 shells.

If I’m understanding correctly what I’ve been told by a couple shops, t47 is relatively new and becoming more common especially on Treks, but still not incredibly common. First shop didn’t have the tool, another shop decided to order it after I called because it wasn’t the first to request it, and the 3rd shop had it on hand.
I did a lot of my shopping online to compare specs and prices between brands and didn’t want to wait months and months when I bought it last year, online. It was delivered a couple weeks later built to the specs I chose. It’s amazing how quickly the supply chain has caught up in just that short time. Quintana Roo, aka American Bicycle Group, hasn’t identified any shops they consider an authorized service center apart from their own shop in TN.
My anxiety won’t subside until everything is reassembled. As it stands now the Trek shop where she’s spending the weekend has the tools but demonstrated a new bottom bracket threading in without doing any frame warranty voiding work. I really like the bike so I hope the rest of my time on it is less drama filled!

 

[Xydadx3]

Update:

Everything is finally coming back together: this bottom bracket problem, my pedals...

A few days after I last posted on this thread I got the bike back with a new BB installed. Everything seemed smooth at first then I noticed some weird noise/vibration between 60-70ish rpm, but only on the big ring, which is the only one I use. It wasn't anything like the severe noise that initially brought my bike in for service. I thought maybe the front derailleur was rubbing the chain ever so slightly and made some adjustments until I got fed up with it and took it back to the same shop. The noise was hard to describe so the best I could tell them was almost a squishy sound but without the wetness, and most prevalent on either pedal's downstroke. They took it for a spin and reported that they couldn't reproduce the noise but to thoroughly investigate they did remove, clean, lube the whole bottom bracket/crank and I picked it up a couple days later. Worst part is they wouldn't let me pay anything for their time so I bought some chain cleaner.
That was last Friday and I've only had a chance to ride 3x since. I'd say the noise/vibration is 99% gone. Maybe I'm being a little over zealous trying to adhere to the principle of silence since the LBS found everything normal? Either way, whatever they did seemed to help and I'm happy with her performance and ride. Just in time for spring!