Mountain Biking - BB Question

I just resently broke my BB which was a Square type. I've noticed that most now are a spline spindle type. Would it be best to look into buying the spindle type and a new crankset to fit the spindle type? or see if i can find a decent square type and keep my original crankset?

The spline type i belive is only used by Shimano, it's called an Octalink. Some seem to love it some hate it. One of the security guys on mountain bikes at the NC marathon last week was scootering by on his bike with his crank arm in his hand, i noticed it was octalink. Not that means much, just thought it ws funny.

there are two (more but two are the standards) 1 is ISIS and the other is Octa Link. Be sure to match the right one up with the right spline...(shimano vs the rest of the crank arm world).

Check out raceface, they still have a square taper crank arm that is great quality.

If the cranks are still good.. I can see no reason not to keep them if you are happy with them.

As for BB you can look at raceface like Maelstrom said, also Phil wood makes a excellent BB.. there is a few other manufactures out there also.

it seems that square seems to be a thing of the past. that is why i was thinking of upgrading now

super,

upgrading now for no reason but timing is going to be premture. Raceface and Shimano have both redesigned the bb and crank interface to fix an ongoing issue with bearing size and strength. While this will fix the problem I only see it as a patch instead of fixig the real problem. But in either case we may find splined to be obsolete as well as this new interface will be signigantly stronger for the bearings etc...stick with the square if it is working and switch in a year or so when some of dust has settled

check out jensonusa I think they have some UN-72's for 17 dollars US

here are some square BBs
Shimano UN-73 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BB708A01)
Shimano XT Un-72 (http://pricepoint.com/product322.html)

I believe these are both the same