Square taper bb alternative

FishFish

I have damaged one of the crank arms on my Bizango and I may need a replacement. I'll look around for a new set or an individual arm if that is possible. It comes with a square BB and both of my other bikes BB are Hope external bearings which I know and love. Just a quick look suggests that I'll not be able to replace the square taper BB with a Hope but whilst I'm doing the work is there anything better than a Shimano square BB that I could substitute to giver higher reliability or as a sensible upgrade? Many thanks. I've also looked at the cranksets on offer and some of them say 3x7 or 8 - I assume that the number of gears on the cassette is irrelevant when buying a crankset?

Antm81

If you're looking at a new crankset anyway or part of, I'd just go for a hollow tech 2 deore crankset which should come with a new external bb.

jimothy78

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781577#p19781577]FishFish[/url] wrote:

is there anything better than a Shimano square BB that I could substitute to giver higher reliability or as a sensible upgrade?

Arguably not (depending on your definition of "better"). Square taper internal BB are actually one of the most reliable and long-lasting options available. The move to external BB cups was purely made to enable the use of wider, hollow spindles on cranksets, which people like because they're a bit lighter and (supposedly) stiffer - they're also easier to tinker with, but generally require more maintenance whereas ST is largely fit-and-forget. Personally, I wouldn't hurry to change more than you have to. You can usually pick up individual crank arms on ebay or the likes.

The Rookie

To Echo the above, a decent ST BB is the most reliable you'll get bar none (Shimano UN53 is the go to option).

If you want to go external bearing the cheapest route is a Deore HT2 setup, either fit the Deore BB until it fails or sell as new and fit a Hope one. A Deore BB isn't worth much though.

codfather

My polo bike currently has Onza cranks on a UN-51 that's been in there the thick end of ten years. It's got a coating of rust on the thread and body, the tapers are a disgusting shade of gunge covered black, but it spins smoothly like you would not believe.
Deore HTII is a worthwhile upgrade, the bearings don't last desperately long but they're made to be disposable. Saint last a good while longer but still use non-replaceable bearings.

The Rookie

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781613#p19781613]Codfather[/url] wrote:

Saint last a good while longer but still use non-replaceable bearings.

In theory, in practice they can be replaced.

codfather

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781707#p19781707]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781613#p19781613]Codfather[/url] wrote:

Saint last a good while longer but still use non-replaceable bearings.

In theory, in practice they can be replaced.

Of course, I was talking about this only yesterday. Trying to draw a distinction between HT2 and those with sealed bearings designed to be easily replaced

FishFish

Thanks everyone for the tutorial on square taper bb. I was not aware of all of this and there is some good advice. Many thanks

supersonic

I have a 20 year old Shimano UN50 on one bike. They are amazing things. I do like adjustable bearings, but, as a cheap reliable unit square taper shimano is king.