Porsche Bike Adventure: 2004 Porsche Bike X bottom bracket, part 1

Monday, May 17, 2021

2004 Porsche Bike X bottom bracket, part 1

Noticing a slight wobble in the pedals, I started to research what would cause that. The answer seemed to be the bottom bracket.

I bought this bike back in November 2016 with very few miles on it. But since then I have racked up thousands of miles. I replaced many components in that time, including the rear cassette, chain and of course all of the specific components for the Death Ride and now the upcoming C&O/GAP 340 mile ride. But the front bottom bracket and bearings haven't been changed. When the pedals began to wobble and a distinctive clicking sound started, I knew it was time.

My goal is to keep my Porsche Bikes in as near original condition with OEM parts if possible. So digging into my Porsche Bike X brochure, I found the bottom bracket is a TruVativ Giga Pipe Team SL 68mm-73mm bottom bracket. But what the spindle width was, I didn't know, so I could not even order a new one.

Researching what I needed, I found several tools I didn't have, specifically a crank puller and a bottom bracket 8-tooth tool. Rounding those up at my local bike shop was a win (most didn't carry these). I also needed a 36 metric socket to use the 8-tooth tool, since I wanted to use my torque wrench to re-assemble.

Taking the 2004 Porsche Bike X pedals off and removing the bottom bracket with these recently purchased tools revealed a TruVativ Giga Pipe Team SL 68mm-73mm 113mm bottom bracket. Jumping on the internet, I found and ordered a new one from Universal Cycles in Pennsylvania. I'm happy to find OEM parts available so close to home!

I have a trip to Florida this week, but I look forward to putting the Bike X back together when I get home!

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My Story

I am a fanatical Porsche enthusiast. I love all things Porsche. This has led me to explore the depths of the automobile brand including some of the least known items the marque is known for. My latest journey - Porsche bicycles!

When I was 13 years old, I fell in love with Porsche cars. Delivering the morning newspaper on my Schwinn ten-speed bike brought me face to bumper with a white 911T each morning and from there I was hooked.

Many years later, I have a garage full of Porsche automobiles and a plethora of Porsche paraphernalia including everything from posters, flags, hats, shirts, sunglasses, scale models, a wristwatch and much more; all of the normal stuff any average PCA member has collected.

Some of my more prized Porsche possessions are my three Porsche bicycles. Yes, three. One is a 100% original 1996 Bike S. The other is a heavily modified 1998 Bike S I use for road and mountain riding. And the latest is a touring-style 2004 Porsche Bike X that I turned into a road bike. I have ridden these three bikes over 5,000 miles in the last few years.

In 2016, I rode many training miles in preparation for a 53-mile ride in the California Sierra foothills, a 72-mile ride around Lake Tahoe and the grand finale ride of 100 miles at the Sacramento Century. The 100 mile ride I believe is a world record on a Porsche Bike S.

Then in July 2017, I completed the 2017 Death Ride with the rebuilt and ultra rare 2004 Porsche Bike X. The Death Ride is an extremely challenging 125-mile, 15,000 foot elevation gain bike ride that crosses five mountain passes in the California Alps near Lake Tahoe. I believe this was the first time a Porsche bicycle completed the Death Ride. Another record.

In the fall of 2020, I rode the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath across three days on the 1998 Bike S. My first multi-day bike riding tour. Another Porsche bike record?

And this blog shared every mile!

2016, 2017 and 2020 were great years of riding. What could possibly follow that?

In 2021, I completed my goal to ride the 360-mile Chesapeake and Ohio and Great Allegheny Passage on the 2004 Bike X. I converted the Bike X back to a hybrid bike for the six-day epic adventure. And in 2022, the Bike X also completed the 237-mile Florida Coast to Coast ride with eight other Porsche Bike riders.

More Porsche Bike adventures are coming up. And just like previous efforts, I plan to share every mile on this blog!

Monday, May 17, 2021

2004 Porsche Bike X bottom bracket, part 1

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Porsche Bike R Coast & Coast Adventure completed