Alternative to Shimano Pressfit BB,s
oxoman
Posts: 11,309
Looking at alternatives to my current SLX pressfit bearings on my Anthem due to yet another failure. Always seems to be non drive side that seizes up. TBH some of it's my fault with intermittent maintenance. This is the 3rd in 6yrs. Not looking at spending a fortune though. Thought screw in cartridge type might be worth a try. Any suggestions appreciated. Cheers.
Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
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Having said that, I bought one of their BB’s which is supposed to adapt a BB386 crank to BSA shell and it’s actually a fraction too wide and binds. Left off a bearing seal and it’s fine. 🤷🏼♂️
Relatively expensive to buy and fit initially, but cost effective over a number of years.
And it all promised so so much”
Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Sonder Broken Road 2021¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Toughtroad SLR 1 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
I will assume that you are not counting the original. So, you are about to fit a fourth one. On average that is one BB set every 18 months. I reckon that is a good average, but I guess it depends upon where you ride and how many miles you do in that time. On standard Shimano BB Hollowtech II stuff (cost about £15, although I once got 2 for £20) I had to change them every year, but it was a dead easy job. I pondered paying a lot more for the BB set, but the payback period would have extended beyond my expected ownership of the bike.
On my last mtb, a Whyte T130, the FSA BB failed after six months and I was persuaded to fit a Hope BB. That was still fault-free on the bike when I sold the bike three years later (with I think 3000 miles on that BB).
One tip would be to buy your Shimano kit from CRC, as they offer a two-year warranty on all Shimano kit. I should say used to do, but they may still do so - it's worth checking. I never tried to claim on a BB, but maybe I should have done so. I had a Shimano cassette fail when the rivets between two rings sheared. Despite having done nearly 1500 miles on it, it was less than two years old and it was replaced without any hassle at all.
It's far better to do it before there is any bearing wear or rust.
You can break the caps if not careful.
This guy removes them, but as it's pressfit best not to.