plastic spoke protector
#28
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
Sorry if the question might be dumb, but I am trying to take into consideration the bottom bracket too when I do a purchase of a MTB, but would the play in the frame and the creaking noise be caused by wear of the bottom bracket components or the wear of the frame, which in this case the wear of the frame will be a permanent damage to the bike, and not something that could be fixed by replacing the bottom bracket?
#31
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
Since nobody said they would prefer the PressFit Bottom Bracket, I think the best choice would be Threaded Bottom Bracket. Thank you for your answers!
It is a bit disappointing that I found a bike that it seems that it has a very good quality/price ratio with good components and geometry at a lower price. I couldn't find any other bike this cheap and this good. This is the bike. It says in the specs that it has Shimano BB-MT500-PA bottom bracket which I read that it is a PressFit BB. Taking into consideration the price of the bike($1300), geometry and components, would you say that the PressFit BB that the bike come with is a deal breaker for you?
As a separate and general question, do MTBs that come with threaded BB are generally more expensive? If that's the case, what is the typical starting price point of a MTB that comes with a threaded BB?
It is a bit disappointing that I found a bike that it seems that it has a very good quality/price ratio with good components and geometry at a lower price. I couldn't find any other bike this cheap and this good. This is the bike. It says in the specs that it has Shimano BB-MT500-PA bottom bracket which I read that it is a PressFit BB. Taking into consideration the price of the bike($1300), geometry and components, would you say that the PressFit BB that the bike come with is a deal breaker for you?
As a separate and general question, do MTBs that come with threaded BB are generally more expensive? If that's the case, what is the typical starting price point of a MTB that comes with a threaded BB?
#32
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,349
Likes: 5,466
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
In my world a MtB is a disposable bike and as such long term considerations are of less merit than with a road bike. Having said that every frame I build, regardless of the type, uses a threaded BB for the reasons others have already mentioned.
One of the real problems with using press fitted bearings in a bicycle is that of dimensional fit specs not being held very well. The bike making factories/brands don't seem to be able to maintain the tiny tolerance range that pressed in bearings want. Or at least on enough bikes they don't, so creaking BBs have become a frequent topic. Andy
One of the real problems with using press fitted bearings in a bicycle is that of dimensional fit specs not being held very well. The bike making factories/brands don't seem to be able to maintain the tiny tolerance range that pressed in bearings want. Or at least on enough bikes they don't, so creaking BBs have become a frequent topic. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#33
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
My impression is that the main benefit of press-fit bottom brackets is simplified manufacturing, like straight-blade forks and sloping top tubes. Leave it to Marketing to figure out a way to present it as a performance benefit.
#35
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 989
From: New Jersey
OP - Beware the creak! I had a bike (not mine) that I had to ride every day for a job. It creaked like an absolute banshee on every revolution every time I got out of the saddle, which was a lot. I never bother to check what type of bottom bracket it was because fixing it wasn't exactly my job or priority.
#36
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Straight-blade forks don't require raking (the operation that puts the curve in the blade). Sloping top tubes allow fewer discrete frame sizes to accommodate a wide range of body heights. Not much savings individually, but if you're manufacturing thousands of frames, it adds up.
#37
I climb a lot


Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 5,533
From: NorCal
Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur 4 TR, Santa Cruz Hightower, Canyon Ultimate cf slx(x2), Canyon Endurace cf sl(rain bike,) Obed GVR, Ritchey Swiss Cross v3, Lauf Seigla rigid
I'd prefer threaded, but the bottom bracket type wouldn't really influence my bike buying decision. I've had both types and have never had an issue with press fit bottom brackets.
#38
One of the many reasons for the current press fit bbs is that they are lighter and considerably easier to get right with all cabon frames. Trek used to have problems with metal bb shells getting loose in the frame, for instance.
Done well, press fit used to be superior. But it isnt done well anymore.
Done well, press fit used to be superior. But it isnt done well anymore.
#39
Straight-blade forks don't require raking (the operation that puts the curve in the blade). Sloping top tubes allow fewer discrete frame sizes to accommodate a wide range of body heights. Not much savings individually, but if you're manufacturing thousands of frames, it adds up.
Agnostic about straight forks. I've never been able to detect any difference in the ride between my bikes with straight forks and those with raked forks. It's possible that savings was behind the introduction of straight forks, but (IIRC) Colnago was the pioneer, so I guess it's also possible that the motivations was to provide some sort of performance advantage. Italian racers weren't put off by them.
(The first one I ever saw was on a bike a friend bought from Dutch pro Erik Breukink. I was agast at the sight of a pro-level racing bike with a straight fork, but I eventually got over it.)
Disagree about sloping top tubes. Just checked the first current popular road bike that came to mind, the low-mid-level Specialized Allez Comp, and it comes in seven sizes, mostly in 2-cm increments, same as in the days of level top tubes.
Advantages of sloping: greater stand-over room and/or (potentially) higher handlebars (bot are especially great for aging road riders), slightly reduced frame weight.
Advantage of horizontal: more aesthetically pleasing to those of us who imprinted on traditional geometry.
That said, despite having owned maybe 20 steel road bikes since 1963, I've gotten accustomed to sloping top tubes and large-diameter tubing, to the point where skinny tubes look a little ramshackle to me. But then, I never minded the look of unicrown forks.
#40
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 2,053
From: Sussex County, Delaware
I have only 1 bike, Orbea Avant, with press fit, I have never had an issue with creaking. I did replace the original FSA bb and crank set to Shimano hollowtech ll. It was not hard to do, but I prefer threaded.
The FSA bb failed after maybe 1500 miles.
The FSA bb failed after maybe 1500 miles.
#41
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 1,651
From: San Diego, CA
It is a bit disappointing that I found a bike that it seems that it has a very good quality/price ratio with good components and geometry at a lower price. I couldn't find any other bike this cheap and this good. This is the bike. It says in the specs that it has Shimano BB-MT500-PA bottom bracket which I read that it is a PressFit BB. Taking into consideration the price of the bike($1300), geometry and components, would you say that the PressFit BB that the bike come with is a deal breaker for you?
Last edited by Crankycrank; 08-24-25 at 12:25 PM.
#42
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 146
Likes: 40
From: Monroe, MI
Bikes: Currently, I have my Dad's 1949 BF Goodrich (Schwinn) & a 1980 Raleigh Grand Prix.
That plastic thingy.
I don't like those plastic spoke protectors. I've taken them off the first chance I got, on any bike that I've owned. Seems like the only come on inexpensive bikes.
#43
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,288
Likes: 1,033
From: Chicago area
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"

#44
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 34
Likes: 12
#45
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 3,217
From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
Straight-blade forks don't require raking (the operation that puts the curve in the blade). Sloping top tubes allow fewer discrete frame sizes to accommodate a wide range of body heights. Not much savings individually, but if you're manufacturing thousands of frames, it adds up.
the "curve" is a way to alter the OFFSET, and the TRAIL spec., as is the angle imparted at the crown, with "straight blade" forks.
and bike folks tend to mix up OFFSET with RAKE., for who knows what silly reason....
smh.
be a trend setter.. call head tube angle "Rake" and "OFFSET" OFFSET.
Last edited by maddog34; 08-26-25 at 03:57 PM.
#46
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I know my kids, I'm not taking their spoke protectors off. But the eldest was barely1yo when this thread started
None of our bikes are expensive enough to participate in the thread hijack
None of our bikes are expensive enough to participate in the thread hijack
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#47
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 146
Likes: 40
From: Monroe, MI
Bikes: Currently, I have my Dad's 1949 BF Goodrich (Schwinn) & a 1980 Raleigh Grand Prix.
Gone ! And it will never be reinstalled.

Gone ! And it will never be reinstalled!
#48
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 709
From: Boulder County, CO
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Greetings everyone! Which one is better for MTB? PressFit or Threaded BB? Also, would you please tell me why would you choose one over the other? Or it is not a question of which one is better, but both have advantages and disadvantages and the choice must be tailored to the rider's needs or budget? Thank you!
#49
wow... i would think, of all the people here, YOU would actually Know what "Fork Rake" Really Means... wow.
the "curve" is a way to alter the OFFSET, and the TRAIL spec., as is the angle imparted at the crown, with "straight blade" forks.
and bike folks tend to mix up OFFSET with RAKE., for who knows what silly reason....
smh.
be a trend setter.. call head tube angle "Rake" and "OFFSET" OFFSET.
the "curve" is a way to alter the OFFSET, and the TRAIL spec., as is the angle imparted at the crown, with "straight blade" forks.
and bike folks tend to mix up OFFSET with RAKE., for who knows what silly reason....
smh.
be a trend setter.. call head tube angle "Rake" and "OFFSET" OFFSET.
"Raking" is the term used by framebuilders to refer to the shop operation whereby straight fork blades become curved.
John D.'s point: it's cheaper for manufacturers to achieve the desired offset with straight blades, omitting the raking step.
Pro tip: attempting to condescend to a poster who worked in the Waterloo Trek factory in the '80's and is intimately familiar with particulars of frame design is not a good look. Random caps notwithstanding.
#50
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 3,217
From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
You misread JohnDThompson's post. He probably won't bother to answer, but:
"Raking" is the term used by framebuilders to refer to the shop operation whereby straight fork blades become curved.
John D.'s point: it's cheaper for manufacturers to achieve the desired offset with straight blades, omitting the raking step.
Pro tip: attempting to condescend to a poster who worked in the Waterloo Trek factory in the '80's and is intimately familiar with particulars of frame design is not a good look. Random caps notwithstanding.
"Raking" is the term used by framebuilders to refer to the shop operation whereby straight fork blades become curved.
John D.'s point: it's cheaper for manufacturers to achieve the desired offset with straight blades, omitting the raking step.
Pro tip: attempting to condescend to a poster who worked in the Waterloo Trek factory in the '80's and is intimately familiar with particulars of frame design is not a good look. Random caps notwithstanding.
i get tired of people sucking up to other people just because of their "Status".
the term "Rake" is being misused. Period.
wow.
i love my '82 trek, and will never sell it... but that doesn't excuse their former employee for warping standard terms to fit the status quo of a bunch of other definition ignoring word benders.
if John has a "point" then He should state it... The term Is Misused by bicycle people.
now go air up your "700c" tires.
as a Reminder... this thread is about Spoke Protectors, aka: Dork discs.
i put them on CX bikes, and there is nothing "dorky" about preventing a DNF.
Last edited by maddog34; 08-26-25 at 07:27 PM.




