Anyone having trouble with Shimano splined BB & cranks?

No, because I won't go to the *****mano splined since they aren't using an open standard. When I go splined, I'll go with ISIS. Gives you many more options. In the meantime, I just bought a Raceface tapered BB for my SS. Unlike the disposable *****mano un72 that only lasted 6 months, it's servicable.

Give the big S another year or 2 and they'll come out with a "better" spline pattern that will make their current stuff obsolete.

I attached the *****mano BB and splined crank on my bike, no problems so far, the cranks are very stiff ,light and you don`t need a crankpuller (sorry don`t no the real word) to get them of your BB.
I`ve read that other manufacturers can copy the shape of the BB for free, to make their own splined cranks, anyone heard of this?

shimano has since liscenced their splined pattern to other companies so they can make cranks for it.

but, the thing is they havent done it the other way around. the pattern cannot be used by other companies to make BBs. and that is where the problem lies. the shimano es70 BB is really heavy, so in order to use the light hollowtech cranks, or any other new crank out there for that pattern...your gonna have to sacrifice the weight of the es70 BB.

i like shimano, they make quality products...but lately they have been somewhat monopolizing the market.

I don`t know the type of my SHM BB, but one thing i know it`s a hollow axle and lighter than my old massive BB.
I think their making great products, but i don`t like monopoly markets.

Here's the problem with Shimano's licensing - they are only giving it out to a select group, unlike ISIS which says everyone can use it (and ISIS is free, no licensing fees involved). I like the ISIS concept because it shows cooperation between competing companies. Shimano on the other hand was not opening up their design to anyone. That is, until ISIS starting being successful, then they suddenly changed their mind.

So, why do I care? Well, as far as MTB cranks go, I think the Shimano LX and XT cranks are some of the best deals around when you look at price, features, weight and quality. But, I don't want to be locked into using a disposable shimano BB which means I can't get a shimano crank.

*****mano(I like that by the way) is making the same mistake Microsoft andApple made. First, they are making the mistake Micrsoft did by making a product similar to what is already out there and making it totally uncompatible with anything else. Second, they are making a product and not letting other people use it freely. Apple did the same thing back when computers were taking off and IBM got the business, because IBM let everybody use the PC platform. Its a good thing we have other companies like Race Face, SRAM, Campy,Truvativ,FSA,SrSuntour,Cane Creek,and Chris King to make enough components that you can almost get by without using *****mano.

I agree with the IBM/Apple analogy and have pointed this out in the past to others I have discussed this with. Guess shimano wasn't paying attention.

Guess not. I am trying to put as wide a variety of stuff on my bike as possible to stay away from *****mano. I don't know why, but I just can't get with *****mano. Unfortunetly SRAM upper level stuff only works with SRAM stuff, I think I may be wrong, but I think I read that somewhere.When I need to replace my derailleurs I am going to try to find some Suntour stuff. The only *****mano thing I like is the Rapidfire plus.