Bottom bracket life .... how long?

ScottieP

I've been running an Ultegra 6600 bottom bracket on my R700 crankset for about 6,000km now and I think it's slowly deteriorating in performance. In fairness this could be more a symptom of my cycling ability than a mechanical issue - but I am curious to know how long I should expect (I am quite happy with the 6,000km to date - it's been a very cheap component for the price paid and the miles done).

I'm thinking about upgrading to either a Hope Stainless BB or a Chris King Road BB and would appreciate any thoughts on these as well.

Many thanks in advance.

ScottieP

synchronicity

I'd go for the Chris King.

ride_whenever

Get the bearings pushed out of your cups and replaced with phil woods ones, betd do this as a postal service and they are much better than the stock shimano bearings at a fraction of the cost of hope or CK.

Otherwise fit the hope if you want good reliability and some bling and the CK if you want equal reliability and bragging rights.

kettrinboy

The Ultegra 6600 BB on my Scott CR1 has done 7200 miles so far and spins smoothly with no play and i expect it to go on for many more miles before it needs replacing

ScottieP

Thanks for the replies chaps, I'm quite tempted to get a new Ultegra Bottom bracket and send it to BETD to have them upgrade the bearings - just over half the price of the Hope one (excluding postage). I'm not sure my old Allez justifies the expense of the Chris King BB ... nice as it sounds. Food for thought, thanks again.