New bottom bracket time

Ransaka

I have killed my 2nd bottom bracket in the last 12 months and need to get a new one. Currently I'm running an internal one on a 2009 Kona Firemountain with the stock SR Suntour crankset.
Since I like throwing my bike about a bit and I'm not light (around 16st) I'm wondering if an external bottom bracket is going to last longer as I understand they are a bit more rugged.

I'm currently eyeing up a SLX crankset with the Hollowtech II BB as Merlin are doing them for less than £90 and the review on here seems to be favourable for them. ( http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... t-09-34107 )

Is it going to last longer than the nameless £20 thing the LBS installed when the stock one went as I don't want to, nor can I afford, to replace the BB every 6 months. I'm doing about 90 miles a week, 75% off road and like to ride reasonably aggressively so need something that will last for hundreds of miles and not crap out after 4 months of use.
This of course assumes that the crankset will fit okay on my bike ( I see no reason why it won't) without the need for me to replace every part of the drive train.

I can't really stretch much further on the budget and can't really see anything else as good for the money.
Any thoughts or am I on the right track?

mariecross

You can if your smart get some really discounted stuff from wheelies.co.uk

Failing that people are always ditching their decent kit for bling on Ebay!

Cant go wrong with XT BB!

Ransaka

Well, I was looking at the SLX as it's supposedly quite tough and I don't want a lightweight XC crankset as I'm convinced I'll trash it.

Anyone got any experience with the double SLX rather than the triple? Not sure if they'd be overkill or not. I ride offroad daily and aren't adverse to tackling small drops and hucking my bike over smaller stuff, the frame seems to handle the abuse well enough but having demolished 2 BBs in a year I'm paranoid that it's just the way it's going to be. I don't want to get something that I'm going to cripple the cranks or BB on in 6 months of use. :?

cavegiant

The SLX is supposed to be top notch for Clydes, if it came in 83mm it would be on my bike.

Much to most peoples surprise it is lighter than XT, but they put steel rings and a VERY heavy bash guard on it to make it heavier on paper.

Steel rings are great for heavier/more powerful riders, so that is a half win.
However removing the bash is always a good idea and swap for something light.

The cranks will not fail.

However the BB will go down just as fast as any other.
When that happens replace it with either a Hope one or a Chris King and your BB problems will dissapear. The new superstar BB might be onto something too, but a new design so unproven.

IMO the SLX crankset is one of the best value pieces of kit out there at the moment, you get a lot for not very much cash.

Joe_Pineapples

I run an SLX double set up on one of my bikes and its easily the best value for money out there, but the BB is no better than average.
It lasted 7 months before being replaced by a Token one from CRC.
If/when it gives up I'll probably replace it with the Superstar heavy duty one.
Higher maintenance but it looks more robust.

Ransaka

By the sound of it then I'm going to be looking at a new BB regardless, probably in the wintertime. Wonder if it's just worth running the current chainset in that case and replacing the BB every 6 months, certainly looks like it's going be the cheaper alternative.

cavegiant

I forgot to add one key details.

The shimano BB use cartridge bearings, if you are carful and use a bearing extractor you can relife your BB for a few quid a side.

I would keep your current one until the chainrings fail, then switch.

mrbblack

i got this one

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... et_707.htm

not fitted yet but looks ok to me