External BB cups

TheCloud

Having trashed a couple of sets of Raceface bearings I'm on the hunt for replacements for both of my bikes, one is an old San Andreas DHS that I just use for uplifts, the other a Kona Explosif (fully rigid) that's used for xc/marathon. Up until now I've tried Shimano LX-utter tat, Truvativ (ok but then locked), and most recently a couple of Race Face x-types. In the XC bike they only lasted two enduros, a total of about 30 hrs muddy riding, maybe less. I use the same type in the DH bike (in case it needs to be robbed for spares at the last minute for a race) which seems to be ok so far but its not like it does the milage. I know the Raceface ones are rebuildable, but the annoying plastic cups break easily when you're trying to re-fit them. I know I should probably bite the bullet and fit Hope, but are there any other types that anyone's tried with good results? So far I've looked at Gussett and Funn which seem to get good reviews.

nicklouse

so have you have the BB shell faced?

get it done and then get any set of cups that work with whatever cranks you use.

and if shimano cranks do not over load the bearings.

pastey_boy

Plenty of ceramic units on ebay for less then £30, They come from the far east and take a week or two to arrive but in my experience even cheap ceramic BB's outlast the best stainless units. Or for a few quid more and next day delivery these are quality items, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aerozine-Cera ... 2576a91668

pastey_boy

And as above make sure your BB shell is properly faced and whatever you do don't let any muc-off type cleaner near your bottom bracket.

TheCloud

They're both faced. To be fair, I've never had much luck with bottom brackets of any type, even cartridge ones only lasted two months, but externals seem to be particularly short-lived.

cooldad

Then you're doing something wrong. Seriously wrong.

bennett_346

Yeah that really doesn't sound right.

Northwind

Overtightening murders BBs. Some more than others.

ilovedirt

cooldad wrote:

Then you're doing something wrong. Seriously wrong.

This. I've never had an issue with doing BBs up fairly tight, most of them have lasted at least 6 months or so for me.

mrmonkfinger

I had 6 fairly muddy months out of a SRAM unit. It was replaced with Hope, which is now getting on three years old and still on original bearings.

Also, you can swap the cartridge bearing units in many external BB cups.

YMMV.

balmybaldwin

As above, something sound like it's very wrong. I have a 16 year old Cannondale that's still running it's original bottom bracket (wasn't a particularly highly specced bike so I'd expect a shimano xt level for the time) that's done well over 20K miles with not problems.

In fact when I think about it I think I've only ever had a BB changed when I've changed cranks, and never had one fail on me on any of my bikes apart from a rockhopper 19 years ago (I probably shouldn't have said that...)

Do you powerwash your bike? use strong degreasers etc?

alfablue

TheCloud wrote:

They're both faced. To be fair, I've never had much luck with bottom brackets of any type, even cartridge ones only lasted two months, but externals seem to be particularly short-lived.

is it that they appear to have been faced, or that you actually have had them faced?

DCR00

I found Shimano didnt last too long with me - about 8 rides

Ive gone back to Hope. Cost more, but worth the outlay IMO.