Bicycle Mechanics - External bearing BB questions...

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pesty
04-09-06, 10:15 PM
Ok, here's my question... What is the inter-compatibility between the Shimano, TruVativ, and FSA external bearing systems?

Reason I ask is I currently have a Bontrager(TruVativ) crank running on a GXP BB and I'm looking on e-bay for an lesser priced compact for a few more hilly rides later this year (IE: Marin Century out in Cali). I would really like to not have to bother with swapping out BB's or having to specifically look for another TruVativ, leaving me open to the option of finding an FSA (Shimano is too expensive).

Has anyone actually confirmed or denied that the GXP and MegaEXO will or will not work together?

toolboy
04-10-06, 11:01 PM
Sounds like you need the Sutherland!
pesty
04-10-06, 11:23 PM
Sounds like you need the Sutherland!

LOL, if I had a spare $190 sitting around, I wouldn't be asking.

toolboy
04-11-06, 12:04 AM
Know a friendly bike mechanic? One of our local boys doesn't have a sniff but has ALL the books and is willing to share. Buy him something nice.
TallRider
04-11-06, 06:56 AM
There are lots of people in the mech forum who do know the answer to this, so rest assured your question will be answered. I think there is compatibility across the various brands here, especially between FSA and Truvativ.
SoonerBent
04-11-06, 07:21 AM
They are the same. In fact a lot of people use FSA or Truvative BBs with Shimano cranks because they are sealed better. They seem smoother too. I expect this won't always be true. They will figure out to make each slightly different to make them proprietary.

SB
pesty
04-11-06, 12:47 PM
They are the same. In fact a lot of people use FSA or Truvative BBs with Shimano cranks because they are sealed better. They seem smoother too. I expect this won't always be true. They will figure out to make each slightly different to make them proprietary.

SB

Awesome thanks for the info...
I figure the only way they'd be able to make them proprietary would be different spline diameters or spline length and cup widths. I'm sure they will think of something with the next great innovation.