Why are BB30 so censored ?!

Ok so I have a BB30 on my CAAD10 I love the frame but literally loath this terrible BB SYSTEM!!
What do folk think to the following:
1) buy expensive ceramic bearings and keep going with it
2) buy cheap bearings and accept that you will need to change them every 500kms or so
3) give up and buy one of these conversion kits (FSA ABOUT £15) to make the BB30 into a standard BB that will take external cups like shimano etc
I'm swaying towards option 3
What have others done?
What do folk think to the following:
1) buy expensive ceramic bearings and keep going with it
2) buy cheap bearings and accept that you will need to change them every 500kms or so
3) give up and buy one of these conversion kits (FSA ABOUT £15) to make the BB30 into a standard BB that will take external cups like shimano etc
I'm swaying towards option 3
What have others done?
0
Posts
Go for a KCNC/Praxis etc... converter, I might do just the same!
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul
Can you explain what is happening? Why is it so bad?
Quintana Roo Cd01
Project High End Hack
Cannondale Synapse SL (gone)
I like Carbon
I sympathise with you. However, I had a terrible BB30 on my synapse and after removing it and cleaning it after numerous creaks, it now runs fine.
I took the advice of some one else off Bikeradar who had been having the same problem. I removed the BB, cleaned it, added far more lubricant that I would normally use, fitted it back and torqued it properly and no problems for the last 6 months.
To clarify I've done about 4000km on the bike I just think it's a censored system compared to standard external shimano set ups that I've used since they came out about 7 -8 years ago.
Are YOU the bikes mechanic? If you are, how much have you messed with the BB? Sorry if I sound like I'm leaning toward operator error, but......
You can get BB30 SKF* bearings on the internet for about £20 a pair, probably amongst the highest quality/tolerances out there.
£120 for ceramic bearings that don't last a season is ridiculous…
*One of, it not THE biggest bearing makers in the world.
Like Bernie says though, look at the bearing and just Google the bearing model number...
As for others, I can confirm it took me a couple of goes to get it right on the bearing installation, but it's all been good.
Quintana Roo Cd01
Project High End Hack
Cannondale Synapse SL (gone)
I like Carbon
Thanks for the reply, I have since put in some new bearings greased them up massively and things seem ok for now, but I'm just not convinced that the system is a good one.......
To balance things out, my Hollowtech 2 BB started making an irritating click under hard pedalling after a year of use but was solved by fitting a new Hollowtech 2 BB which was cheap and easy to fit. My old square-taper BB was bullet-proof in comparison but a year of use is acceptable for me given the cheap price of a replacement and the ease of fitting.
Done about 40 miles on it, no creaking etc... but I can feel play when I pull/push the arms by hand. If I increase the pre-load the play goes, but the cranks tighten up too much....
Hmm, I've emailed Saddleback (felt distrubutor) to see what they recommend. I know they run Dura-Ace with the wheels manf' adapters, but I'll see what they come back with...
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul
There is something amiss here.... the cranks should NOT tighten up. you need to read the instructions very closely.. you may have a spacer too many or indeed a spacer too few.
If you are new to this game, then get it into the shop.
If you tighten the pre-load on a std HTII bottom bracket, it will bind the bearings eventually (too much pre-load). But any play disappears well before the the cranks bind, so no problem.
Its the FSA Reducer/BB30 business thats the issue...
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul
You can be lucky and get a few miles of out it or you can be unlucky and have nothing but troubles. Essentially someone like I.K. Brunel would have discarded the idea as "bollox", but 200 years later we got accustomed to censored stuff and we tolerate bad tolerances, apparently.
I've got a Felt F1 with Ultegra 6800. Using the FSA BB30 BB & 24mm reducer cups that were supplied with the frame.
All I'm saying is I'm not happy with this arrangement - its just "not 100%".
I like the simplicity of it, but I agree Ugo, I cannot see how they can be 100% accurate in every instance.
I'll eventually get a Praxis etc... I think!
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul
Could you not do away with the BB30 with a Praxis conversion?
So, awaiting reply from Saddleback before I decide which way to go...
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul
What about using bearing shim material for fits that are not quite "there"? It can be a hassle but will give you that really snug fit you're looking for.
What about buying a frame with threads? If people stop buying them, they will stop selling them
I'm not putting down threaded frames. Got one myself. Never an issue with it. I think that all these new BB sizes and types are not any better than outboard bearings and have been invented to simply sell new frames.
So anyone got any experience of the Wheels Mnf Delrin cups, the Rotor adapter, KCNC and Praxis?
Any one better or significantly worse than the others? I've seen some others too - TriPeak and Token - both look similar to the KCNC...
Deda Acciaio
Pro6
Cotic Soul