Abu Mahendra

So, are sqare taper bottom brackets increasingly outdated technology in terms of weight, performance and durability when compared to Hollowtech? If given a choice of Hollowtech, why would one opt for square taper these days?

Homebrew01

Square taper is "outdated", but still works well as it has for decades.

CliffordK

As I understand it, hollowtech isn't as much the bottom bracket, as designing oversized hollow crank arms. So, in theory, lighter, and stronger.

Campagnolo has been using hollow square taper bottom bracket spindles for years.

I'm mixed on bottom bracket types. One advantage of separate bottom bracket spindles and cranks is that it allows the bike builder to adjust the crankset horizontal position for several different reasons.

BlazingPedals

Yep. I'm currently looking for a new crankset for my NoCom (in my avatar.) It needs a huge chainline to keep the chain away from the front wheel; and the best way will be to put something on a long-spindled square taper. Unfortunately, about the only square-taper stuff I can find is lower quality. It's kind of the same problem as keeping my 9-speed stuff -- the 11-speed keeps filtering down and eventually the only 9-speed componentry will be Altus.

Slash5

Three things - a square taper BB allows lots of chainline selection.
Square taper allows the use of millions of cranks already available including some of the best cranks ever produced.
Most modern cranks look ugly on vintage bikes.

bobbyl1966

I have square taper in one of my road bikes also i have square taper on my old mountain bike. In my other road bike i have sealed bottom bracket. What i see the square taper is turn more smooth than the sealed one.

corrado33

This reply is nonsense. The type of spindle has no bearing (no pun intended) on how well the bearings turn. Yes, different types of BBs can have different (read, bigger or smaller) bearings which can last longer/shorter, but any bearing when properly adjusted should spin just as free as any other bearing, assuming similar grades and that there is negligible wear on both.

I personally like square taper BBs because I'm not a racer and I don't need the minuscule weight drop or slight strength increase that modern BB spindles have over square taper. I also like being able to use just about any cranks I find. As an example. At my local coop we have 2-3 large boxes of cranks for square taper. (Hundreds of cranks) We have maybe... 10 non-square taper cranksets in the entire shop. Sure, it's a bit biased because the coop generally caters to lower quality bikes. But still. Square taper works perfectly well and will continue to work perfectly well and not become obsolete for many years.

EDIT: I feel that square taper may be the last "universal" BB spindle type that we have. From here on forward they're just going to continuously update hollowtech/octolink/... and forever put old versions out of date and make them impossible to find parts for.

Drew Eckhardt 

They work fine, and you won't notice the weight except time-trialing or racing off-the-front up-hill where an extra 100g costs a 70kg rider + bike combination 0.1% on the steepest climbs which is 5 seconds an hour.

Modern Shimano cranks look like dead octopuses. Many are ugly colors so silver alloy scratches are more noticeable.

andr0id

Which they should never do. There is a very specific standard for fixed, double and triple chain lines and there relationship to the BB and center line of the bicycle. If you build and face your BB correctly, the rings will fall exactly where they are supposed to fall.

HT and other built in spindle type crank and BB system prevent the manufacturer from screwing the chain line up.

Square taper is a good BB system when the parts don't get mixed up, but integrated hollow axles are a much better system.

bobbyl1966

Any frame with threads is can accept square taper bottom bracket?

OldsCOOL

Bobby, if your sealed unit isnt turning as smoothly it might be time to replace it. I have an ISIS BB cartridge from Nashbar and has worked well these past 4 seasons. It is lighter than traditional bearing units. Cost is less than 20.00US last I checked.

OldsCOOL

If it's an older frame, no probs.

OldsCOOL

If it's an older frame, no probs.

andr0id

If it's a new frame with a proper English or Italian BB, also no probs.

bobbyl1966

I replace the bad bottom bracket is was bad but other bottom bracket i try sealed feel less smooth but before i see the sealed bottom bracket i had ride the bike is was fast too. But when i go replace the bottom bracket i found out the threads needed facing i take in LBS to do that job no have this tool that job finally cost me $30. I put in that bike sealed bottom bracket but i want try square taper bottom bracket because in this bike i have square taper crank 53/39

OldsCOOL

Anything but an old French bike.

stdlrf11

I replaced a triple road crank and square taper BB with a hollowtech system, and the weight difference was significant. I didn't have a scale handy, but it felt like a pound. It was really a huge, noticeable difference, not only in my hands, but on the bike. The stiffness was night and day. My bike rode so much differently it was amazing.

I'm not a weight weenie or a performance nut, but after trying both, I say you can't deny the significant difference in weight or stiffness. Square taper BBs are fine. There is no denying that either.

I'm a commuter and I noticed a huge difference.

Truth.

Stucky

Square taper is trouble-free and very durable. It is plenty stiff; easy to replace/work on (if you ever need to); doesn't require constant attention and service; doesn't manifest creaks and noises; lasts forever; parts are cheap; you don't need all kinds of special fancy tools....

What's not to love?

mconlonx

Bearing longevity and cross-compatibility among cranksets. Weight isn't so much an issue on the bikes I build and ride; I'd argue that the performance difference is negligible; and durability is slightly worse for Hollowtech-style cranks.

MZilliox

this, plus Campy 10 speed parts still work with Square taper. and I love me some Campy 10 speed

Stucky

I didn't know that! Excellent!!!!!

fietsbob

Hollow tech is a fit and forget take it or leave it combination , as the spindle tube is part of the right Crankarm-spider

With square taper You can choose the chainline and cranks combination that works for You.

My Swiss Mountain Drive crank has 2 square taper crank-arms ... one a Captain's tandem right, and a single bike Left .

Neither are attached to the chainring..


And My Rohloff bikes Need a wider chain-line for the chainring, to match the cog in the back ..