There was an interesting and lively discussion at the Cirque du Cyclisme show about modern frames and BB shells. The integrated/external bearing design was Cannondale's response to the problem of limited space in the shell. There is room for large/strong bearings OR large/strong spindle, but NOT BOTH. The outboard/integrated bearing design is an attempt at a solution without changing the diameter of the shell. Most of the "experts" at the Cirque agreed that this design was marginally effective and was really a half-assed solution to the problem. They felt that the industry needed to adopt a larger BB shell diameter.

We shall see.