Drilling drainage hole in a BB shell

[xtaffa]

Gary Fisher aluminum frame c2000. Lots of water in BB shell after (very) wet ride.

Safe/advisable to whip out the BB and drill a small drainage hole? Assume it's fine given under bracket cable routing guides on millions of other frames...! 3-4mm big enough?

 

[novocaine]

3mm weep hole is fine. I see it as somewhat remiss of a lot of bike manufacturers to not put one in. if you want, you can put a bung in, but it's really not needed.

 

[Woz]

Ship the frame back to California or close by Nevada.

Seriously, go ahead. I posted a similar question years ago. Not only is it drainage, it is just as much about air-flow in the tubes to help dry things out.

It's not bullet proof, but it will extend the life of the frame.

 

[Splatter Paint]

I always wondered if drilling the centre of the bb guide bolt out would work? Too small maybe?

 

[Woz]

I always wondered if drilling the centre of the bb guide bolt out would work? Too small maybe?

Done that too as it was an easy option on a Ti frame. Better than nothing. 2mm if I remember correctly, but choose a good steel stubby bolt.

As said above, it's as much about airflow and trying to avoid condensation. Warm bike stored in an apartment suddenly going out in -5C will quickly need an equal internal tube temperature close to the external temperature to avoid moisture build up. If the frame is Ti, not much to worry about, but it is the AL seat-post, the steel / AL bottom bracket that will suffer.

 

[novocaine]

Done that too as it was an easy option on a Ti frame. Better than nothing. 2mm if I remember correctly, but choose a good steel stubby bolt.

As said above, it's as much about airflow and trying to avoid condensation. Warm bike stored in an apartment suddenly going out in -5C will quickly need an equal internal tube temperature close to the external temperature to avoid moisture build up. If the frame is Ti, not much to worry about, but it is the AL seat-post, the steel / AL bottom bracket that will suffer.

Other way round. Cold metal entering warm building. Water in the air will condense on the steel as its below its dew point. Can take an age to transistion back above it.