Hi,

I need to replace an Octalink bottom bracket but I'm a bit confused by the ranges. I can't see how an ES51 differs from an ES300 in the same size but has a different price? Is the 300 newer than the 51? or not as good quality?

thanks for any help.

ES51 costs more than ES300 right? ES51 is a higher end component.

likely the more expensive one has more expensive bearings, lighter metal parts that are maybe contoured to retain stiffness, etc. If you're still using octalink, I think that shows you're not a latest/greatest/lightest/fastest weight weenie, so you might as well get the cheaper one.

The 300 will work fine and as said be some what heavier, however as also said it will have lower quality bearing/seals and so not be as robust or have as long a life. As you are still riding Octalink you may be one of us who keeps old bike moving and would be better off with a BB that will have a longer life. Some day soon Octalinks will be very hard to find ($), the first version is getting that way now, fortunately you are looking for V2.

I have a watch set on eBay to email me whenever a v1 109.5 is posted for under $20, I get notifications literally almost every day.

I have a nice old Tom Ritchey crankset that a friend gave me, along with a BB that is too long (115 I think), puts my chainline out too far by 2 or 3 cogs. Someday when I care, I'll snatch up a 109.5 and put it on my commuter.

Road (V-1) Octalinks were made in two lengths, 109.5 mm for double cranks and 118.5 mm for triples. It's likely you have the 118.5 mm. I believe there was a 112 mm V-1 also but it was intended for the XTR MTB crank