I just got a new frame. Woo!

The bottom bracket is a press fit bottom bracket, and I'm used to english threading. I have Shimano Sora cranks and a 50/34 chainring set on my bike right now.

What's the cheapest way to start using this new bottom bracket size (68mm wide, 45.8mm tall opening) with what I already own? Do I...

A) Buy an adapter to work with a Shimano english thread bottom bracket?

B) Buy new cranks that suit a press fit BB?

C) Any other options?


Any help would be appreciated! Thanks very much!!

Oh, one more thing: I ride all winter, thousands of miles a year. I need good sealing! I can't afford Chris King, but I'll pay a bit more for the security of something well-sealed.

You have PF30. You can't use Square Taper BB on that shell.

You'll need a BB30 crank with PF30BB or external BB crank with PF30 adapter BB.

I highly recommend threaded BB over Press-fit standard for touring though.

Rotor makes nice BB for PF30 bb to External bb conversion.

Settling in on the Praxis converter for my Shimano cranks.

Praxis Works BB30 Conversion BB Bottom Brackets Reviews - RoadbikeReview.com

Would love feedback here!

fourty two


just saying if its too exotic a Mom n Pop shop cant fix it .. where if it was closer to generic they would have spares there,

seems external BB are More out in the crud off your front wheel, spray area ..



the sellers market pushes .. and folks follow, call it an upgrade.

IDK your bike .. Cartridge bearings have multiple specs one of Phils specs is using submersible pump bearing seal types.


I have a Pressed in bearing BB, but a square taper axle, and zirk fittings in the sealed from the frame tubes BB shell .

its got a lot of lubricating grease between those 2 bearings . I didn't just buy it I helped build the frame .

oversize bearings , big bearing balls , overkill for the power output from a 400 watt human..

Bob, I agree with you. I'm not in a position to be choosy, though; the frame is a gift (I'll follow up with a blog post later, but long story short, one year of hard work turned into a sponsorship).

Other than the BB issue, the frame is perfect for me, so I want to get the "best" option I can within reason. I want to do this bottom bracket thing right the first time so I don't find myself up a creek later. If I go world touring I wouldn't say a downright "no" to carrying a spare BB if that's what it takes.

Have a frame supplying sponsor ? see if they will drop ship parts to Timbuktu, if the hoped for never fail component, doesn't prove itself so.

Sitting in Timbuktu for 3 weeks waiting for air mail sounds a lot less appealing than using the Praxis adaptor, which the manufacturer says is about on--par with Ultegra in terms of quality and sealing. User reviews are all good.

Timbuk2 is a trade name , not a place..

I've been writing too many product reviews... fixed.