Which type of bottom bracket to pick
#2
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
BSA....it's been around for a million years, won't give you the creaking issues common with press fit cups, and gives you the option of a few different types of spindle
#3
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From: Upstate NY
Bikes: Bianchi San Mateo and a few others
There are plenty of good cranksets made for all three, but I'd personally opt for the English threaded bottom bracket. Reliable and easily serviceable. No pressing bearings in our out, or paying someone else to do it. If you've got a wrench and a cheap bottom bracket tool, you can easily do all the common work yourself.
#4
+1 to the above. BSA will be supported for many years to come. lots of choices for bottom brackets and cranks, and it just plain works.
#5
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Another vote for BSA. It's simple, strong, reliable, quiet and cranks and bottom brackets for it are readily available. It's about the only bottom bracket "standard" that really is standard.
#6
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And it's a win for a decades old design that has been used on thousands of race winners and common riders. BSA! We, the riding public, have a chance every time we purchase to send the industry a message that change for marketing sense is not common sense. Andy
#7
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)
BSA with an external bearing bottom bracket, best of both worlds.
The main advantage of BB30 is a few grams lighter and better single speed conversion options.
The main advantage of BB30 is a few grams lighter and better single speed conversion options.
#8
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#9
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From: Mt Shasta, CA, USA
Bikes: Too many. Giant Trance X 29, Surly Midnight Special get the most time.
I'd be fine with all three on well executed frames. If you're buying a generic frame, I'd check reviews on any pressfit bb frames before getting one. BB30, in particular, requires very tight tolerances for the bearing bores. BB86 (and PF30)are a little more forgiving because the bearings are pressed into plastic cups.
If you want to run a Shimano crank, avoid a BB designed for a 30mm spindle if possible, so either BSA or BB86 (or Trek BB90) If you're going to be running a crank with BB30/PF30/BB386/BBright/OSBB/BB30A et et etc options then the 30mm spindle pressfit bottom bracket will be a lighter inofitself, be stiffer, and may allow for a lighter and stiffer frame design. Some of these designs can be very dependent on tight tolerances, and some do develop problems, but truthfully mostly they work well and aren't crazily difficult to work on. Probably the scariest thing is the potential to damage a BB shell if the bearings are pressed in crooked.
So yeah, BSA, unless you are really into a super light build (which is fine).
If you want to run a Shimano crank, avoid a BB designed for a 30mm spindle if possible, so either BSA or BB86 (or Trek BB90) If you're going to be running a crank with BB30/PF30/BB386/BBright/OSBB/BB30A et et etc options then the 30mm spindle pressfit bottom bracket will be a lighter inofitself, be stiffer, and may allow for a lighter and stiffer frame design. Some of these designs can be very dependent on tight tolerances, and some do develop problems, but truthfully mostly they work well and aren't crazily difficult to work on. Probably the scariest thing is the potential to damage a BB shell if the bearings are pressed in crooked.
So yeah, BSA, unless you are really into a super light build (which is fine).
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