Agghhhh...PRESS FIT
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 230
Agghhhh...PRESS FIT
Can't believe that I didn't notice this before, but the BB shell on my new TIME frame is press fit. I hate the idea of press fit! It accepts a PF BB386 (EVO). I see that there's lots of offerings for these sort of "threaded" BB's for press fit, like this one:
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
#2
To 'upgrade' my 2015 Tarmac Pro, I have purchased same Wheels Mfg pressfit BB- which, I am told, seems to eliminate squeaky pressfit BB issue.
I've not yet installed, it, but plan to do so this coming week... Seems well made, and high grade bearings - I'm expecting good performance and long running life...
Needs a 'special' BB wrench for for the install (thing notched face plate needs non-chamfered wrench...)
Got the specific Wheels MFG on ebay for 1/2 cost of Wheels Mfg. wrench - seems to fit nicely.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264431000953
Ride On
Yuri
I've not yet installed, it, but plan to do so this coming week... Seems well made, and high grade bearings - I'm expecting good performance and long running life...
Needs a 'special' BB wrench for for the install (thing notched face plate needs non-chamfered wrench...)
Got the specific Wheels MFG on ebay for 1/2 cost of Wheels Mfg. wrench - seems to fit nicely.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264431000953
Ride On
Yuri
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 2,198
Can't believe that I didn't notice this before, but the BB shell on my new TIME frame is press fit. I hate the idea of press fit! It accepts a PF BB386 (EVO). I see that there's lots of offerings for these sort of "threaded" BB's for press fit, like this one:
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
#4
Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 101
Likes: 77
From: DC Metro Area
Bikes: (Next N+1) 2026 Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8, 2024 Canyon Endurace CF 7, 2024 Trek Émonda ALR, 2022 Bianchi Sprint Celeste, 2020 KHS Flite 900, 2019 Cannondale Topstone, 1986 Bianchi Premio
For this reason, I absolutely love me some BBInfinite bottom brackets whenever I make a change. Their both-bearings-on-a-single-cylinder-so-you-know-they-stay-coplanar designs soothe my angsts. See this model to see what I mean—29mm, so not right for your bike (and I don't know enough about SRAM to trust myself looking up the correct model), but I posted it so you get a sense of their design approach. You get what you pay for, though, or in this case pay for what you get, as their BB's run $200-250 for steel bearings and $300-350 for ceramic.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 788
Likes: 310
From: Westchester, NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2, Specialized Tarmac SL8 Fact 10r, Lynskey GR350
Can't believe that I didn't notice this before, but the BB shell on my new TIME frame is press fit. I hate the idea of press fit! It accepts a PF BB386 (EVO). I see that there's lots of offerings for these sort of "threaded" BB's for press fit, like this one:
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
Threaded BB can have their fare share of problems too, it's just they are much easier to work on as a home mechanic
I wouldn't not get a bike just because it has PF or BB86 but both my bikes are currently BSA.
#6
I climb a lot


Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 5,484
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 find the hatred of pressfit to be a bit overblown. I've had several bikes with pressfit BBs, yet zero issues with any of them. Assuming you have the bearing press and the primer/retaining compound, it's a pretty straightforward install IMO.
#7
Mister Geezer to you


Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 916
From: Glendora, CA
Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Not keen on pressfit myself, but they seem to last longer. Only my Cannondale uses one. BSA on my other bikes.
I bought the basic remover and install tools. These work great, but anybody could easily cobble together both from a hardware store visit.
I bought the basic remover and install tools. These work great, but anybody could easily cobble together both from a hardware store visit.
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 230
The good news is Time's tolerances bar none are some of the best in the industry. I frankly find their bikes much to do about nothing but the two things any time owner will rave about is the braided carbon structure and the tolerances. I believe Time uses a BB86 bottom bracket and if you asked someone like Hambini a 29mm or DUB spindle would not be ideal, since the bearings would have to be sub optimally small, however I have ridden multiple BB86 bikes with DUB bottom brackets (Winspaces and Scotts) with zero issues. IMO the best BB86 PF BB you can get is a one piece from BBInfinite if your tolerances are 100%, otherwise you run the risk of cracking the BB shell. If your not 100% within tolerance just go with a cheap $40 plastic BB, since the plastic does have some give if the BB isn't 100% to spec, granted you will probably run through the BB pretty fast if there are any intolerances.
Threaded BB can have their fare share of problems too, it's just they are much easier to work on as a home mechanic
I wouldn't not get a bike just because it has PF or BB86 but both my bikes are currently BSA.
Threaded BB can have their fare share of problems too, it's just they are much easier to work on as a home mechanic
I wouldn't not get a bike just because it has PF or BB86 but both my bikes are currently BSA.
#9
Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 16
I have just built my Time ADH with SRAM Red original 11-speed eTap. I installed my Red GXP crankset using a Token 386 bottom bracket. I like the thread-together press-fit bottom brackets because you don't need a press tool, just the appropriate Park cup (mine is a BBT-27.3) and a torque wrench. I figured out the correct spacers and did not install a wave washer. Mine has been silent and trouble free for the first 268 miles. I have never had such quiet and smooth bike as my Time ADH.
GXP version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...41061490229348
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980
GXP version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...41061490229348
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980
Last edited by webtwo; 11-07-25 at 11:16 PM.
#10
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 35
Likes: 119
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Time Alpe d’Huez, Cinelli Superstar
No worries, get Wheelsmfg threaded. I just got a Time frame too, and I went with the BBultimate one-piece. But I have been using the Wheels threaded on my Cinelli for the past 16K miles and it has been fantastic. Silent. Fast. Durable. Great experience with the Wheelsmfg.
#11
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 35
Likes: 119
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Time Alpe d’Huez, Cinelli Superstar
Originally Posted by webtwo;23640355.
GXP version:
[url
GXP version:
[url
https://tokenproducts.us/collections/ninja/products/tf38624?variant=41061490229348[/url]
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980
Great price! These look good too…any quality threaded should do the trick.
#12
Method to My Madness

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 2,061
From: Orange County, California
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse x2, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata 3
No worries, get Wheelsmfg threaded. I just got a Time frame too, and I went with the BBultimate one-piece. But I have been using the Wheels threaded on my Cinelli for the past 16K miles and it has been fantastic. Silent. Fast. Durable. Great experience with the Wheelsmfg.
#14
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,685
Likes: 2,569
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
#15
Blast from the Past

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,253
Likes: 89
From: Schertz TX
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, Felt Breed & a few more
Can't believe that I didn't notice this before, but the BB shell on my new TIME frame is press fit. I hate the idea of press fit! It accepts a PF BB386 (EVO). I see that there's lots of offerings for these sort of "threaded" BB's for press fit, like this one:
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
https://wheelsmfg.com/collections/bb...53184930775208
Is that the way to go nowadays, or would you just stick with a typical $40 DUB BB offered by SRAM (my crankset is a SRAM Force E1 12-speed)? I can't shake the idea that basic BBs are more than adequate for everyone's needs, except for guys like Jonas Vingegaard.
I'm on the fence right now on a Time ADHX myself. Really would like to go 32mm on the road.
Last edited by Voodoo76; 11-17-25 at 12:57 PM.
#16
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 230
I've used that BB for years on two Felt FR's (one Ultegra & one DA). Zero issues, easy install, still original bearings. I would recommend their BB Socket to get correct installation torque.
I'm on the fence right now on a Time ADHX myself. Really would like to go 32mm on the road.
I'm on the fence right now on a Time ADHX myself. Really would like to go 32mm on the road.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 253
I have a 2013/12? bought used Fuji Alitmira CX, actually it is a generic Nashbar frame but yeah, with a BB86 that went through two creaky press fits before I put a thread together Wheel Manufacturing BB in it and after I don't 8 years it is still going strong no creaking. Also a 2016 intense spider fs mountain bike with a bb92 that went through 2 race face press fit BBs, killed bearing, before I bought a cheap chinese ztto thread together BB for $18 maybe 4 years ago that is still fine. Wheels Manufacturing didn't make a BB that would fit that frame and a 30mm spindle but ztto did and at $18 I figure meh if I have to replace it every year it is still cheaper than replacing the Raceface BBs every two years.
#19
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 230
I have just built my Time ADH with SRAM Red original 11-speed eTap. I installed my Red GXP crankset using a Token 386 bottom bracket. I like the thread-together press-fit bottom brackets because you don't need a press tool, just the appropriate Park cup (mine is a BBT-27.3) and a torque wrench. I figured out the correct spacers and did not install a wave washer. Mine has been silent and trouble free for the first 268 miles. I have never had such quiet and smooth bike as my Time ADH.
GXP version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...41061490229348
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980
GXP version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...41061490229348
SRAM DUB version:
https://tokenproducts.us/collections...40620774522980





