BB30 - Is it REALLY worth it?

CRAIGO5000
CRAIGO5000 Posts: 697
edited March 2012 in Road beginners
I've got a Ribble Stealth coming but the BB30 frame is going to be press-fit with an FSA adaptor to take standard Sram Force cranks.

I don't know if I can be bothered to buy the frame and associated bits myself with a Force/Red BB30 Crank to build up the whole bike on my own. Is it absolutely necessary to make use of the BB30 since I have it on my frame?

Obviously even Ultegra and the like don't use BB30 and I'm going for a full Force Groupset which is going to be a huge upgrade from my old Sora/Tiagra combo. Should I be getting so bogged down over this BB30 issue? I'm not the most powerful rider in the world and at only 70Kgs I don't think I'd notice the improvements BB30 could offer anyway?

There is just a niggle in my mind telling me I should be fitting a BB30 frame with BB30 cranks! :?

Halp!
Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 3

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The supposed advantages of BB30 are lower weight, Q-factor and supposedly stiffness of the BB spindle, but unless you are really pushing the performance envelope, unlikely that the average rider would notice. You could always fit a BB30 crank at a later date.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    If you've got a BB30 frame then you may as well fit a BB30 crank.

    I'm not 100% sure but remember reading somewhere that once an adaptor has been fitted they can't be removed. Think it is maybe because they are bonded inside the BB. Something worth checking.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Why? The only people who say you can't remove a BB30 adaptor is Cannondale. If you use the Wheels Mfg or KMC ones you'll have no problem fitting a BB30 at a later date. If you search the forum you'll find plenty of folks with BB30 problems - creaky and rapid-wearing bearings.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    Monty you are probably right. I have never run BB30 so don't know. It was probably a Cannondale frame I was reading about. Just remember reading somewhere that you couldn't remove the BB30 adaptor after it was fitted.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    What improvements in a BB30?
    I run a bb30 on my C'dale, I have no issue with it, it works, its nice, its easy to maintain.. it dont make me any quicker I can assure you.
    You can swap to another bb system but as to reverting back... well some people say ok. others not... I do like its simplicity however, hence I wont swap unless I had major failure.

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