Bb30 conversion options?

angussung
angussung Posts: 7
edited February 2014 in Workshop
Was wondering if anyone had any experience with bb30 conversion so it allows for shimano cranks.

My specialized is currently a OS bb30 and in the next few months I'll be upgrading to Ultegra 6800. Instead of selling the cranks to fund an alternative set I wanted to find a bb solution.
I've seen a bunch of plastic/rubber adapters and I've had a look at the praxis works bb conversion which seems to be the best option currently...

...but has anyone got a suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks

A
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Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Praxis is reckoned to be the best of current solutions as it maintains the integrity / alignment of the bearings.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • WindyG
    WindyG Posts: 1,099
    Praxis would be my suggestion too, I will be getting one for one of my frames
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    I use a plastic SRAM adapter on my PF30 Focus Cayo so I can use Ultegra cranks. No creaking or flex at all.
  • I'm thinking the praxis as well however...

    DKay, that's interesting you've not experienced any creaking or flex. You had any issue with bb shells coming out of line and "stepping out"?
  • I have the Praxis awaiting the arrival of my new Felt frame. Nice piece of kit. I've seen too many stories of people chasing creaks and groans from BB30 bikes to risk using anything else.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    angussung wrote:
    I'm thinking the praxis as well however...

    DKay, that's interesting you've not experienced any creaking or flex. You had any issue with bb shells coming out of line and "stepping out"?

    Nope. Not a single problem in any way shape or form.

    Here's a pic of it fitted.

    IMAG1265_zpsc08afe45.jpg
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    Cannondale and FSA make 24mm thread adapter tubes. I used a cheap headset press to install one in my Cannondale.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEADSET-PRESS ... em19e709ee

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fsa- ... -prod44067

    On a carbon frame it should be viewed as semi-permanent as specialist equipment would be required to remove it again although I can't imagine why anyone would.

    IMG_1393.jpg
  • fleshtuxedo
    fleshtuxedo Posts: 1,853
    The Rotor 30/24 adapter does this job well. The adapter consists of 2 halves that thread into each other through the BB. Bearings are therefore perfectly aligned, and easily removable. Cheaper than Praxis (£40 ish IIRC). Works with any 24mm spindle BB - Shimano, FSA, Rotor etc.

    I've used mine for a year and it's been perfect.
  • Yeah either the Praxis or Rotor would be a better option than the ones pictured that you need to fix into the frame.

    As mentioned both the Praxis and Rotor thread together so will be more chance of them being properly aligned. Plus they both have replaceable cartridge bearings which the shimano ones don't.
  • The Rotor 30/24 adapter does this job well. The adapter consists of 2 halves that thread into each other through the BB. Bearings are therefore perfectly aligned, and easily removable. Cheaper than Praxis (£40 ish IIRC). Works with any 24mm spindle BB - Shimano, FSA, Rotor etc.

    I've used mine for a year and it's been perfect.

    That's a good call, I totally forgot rotor make such a bb conversion.
    I was a little put off by the praxis price point so will do some research on the rotor

    Thanks for all the suggestions.
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    Yeah either the Praxis or Rotor would be a better option than the ones pictured that you need to fix into the frame.

    Why ?
  • Because they're easily removed and are designed to give they exact spacing required for a shimano crank. Plus the point mentioned about being able to replace the bearings only and keep the rest of the unit.

    I'm sure the BB30 to 68mm adaptors work perfectly well, I just think there's more advantage in using a 'proper' solution.
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    Because they're easily removed and are designed to give they exact spacing required for a shimano crank. Plus the point mentioned about being able to replace the bearings only and keep the rest of the unit.

    I'm sure the BB30 to 68mm adaptors work perfectly well, I just think there's more advantage in using a 'proper' solution.

    Er... I fitted an adapter made by Cannondale (part no. KP009) into a Cannondale frame. You can screw any bearing you want into it. I used Dura Ace and the spacing is unsurprisingly perfect as is the alignment because it's a one piece tube.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cannondale-BB30 ... 4897.l4276

    Funnily enough Rotor even seem to make a BB30 crank to BSA 24mm adapter
    http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.p ... wgodS2wAXA
  • Fair enough. I did say I'm sure they work fine. Just wanted to help the op make an informed decision.

    Just for info the rotor adapter you linked to there is for fitting a bb30 crank in a standard threaded frame.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    DKay wrote:
    I use a plastic SRAM adapter on my PF30 Focus Cayo so I can use Ultegra cranks. No creaking or flex at all.

    I use the shells on the Dolan to adapt to GXP and I can see the flex as I pedal. Whilst they're a cheap and non-permanent adaption, I'd use something else.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    philthy3 wrote:
    DKay wrote:
    I use a plastic SRAM adapter on my PF30 Focus Cayo so I can use Ultegra cranks. No creaking or flex at all.

    I use the shells on the Dolan to adapt to GXP and I can see the flex as I pedal. Whilst they're a cheap and non-permanent adaption, I'd use something else.

    How you can tell that it's the adapter and not anything else that's flexing and ride at the same time with enough power to produce the flex is beyond my understanding???
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763

    Just for info the rotor adapter you linked to there is for fitting a bb30 crank in a standard threaded frame.

    I know that's why I linked it IE. I could refit the OE BB30 crank that came with the bike without removing the 24mm adapter although the number of people wanting to do so must be tiny !
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    DKay wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    DKay wrote:
    I use a plastic SRAM adapter on my PF30 Focus Cayo so I can use Ultegra cranks. No creaking or flex at all.

    I use the shells on the Dolan to adapt to GXP and I can see the flex as I pedal. Whilst they're a cheap and non-permanent adaption, I'd use something else.

    How you can tell that it's the adapter and not anything else that's flexing and ride at the same time with enough power to produce the flex is beyond my understanding???

    New frame and new BB. Using it on the turbo where I can see the SRAM cups wobbling and can also see them moving by just turning the cranks by hand on the workstand. Now these might be different to what you have, but this is a BB30 bottom bracket fitted with the black plastic cups that fit in the BB housing to accept a GXP crankset.

    http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/bb30-to ... wgodhiMAJg
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • dgunthor
    dgunthor Posts: 644
    I have fitted the praxis on my PF30 cannondale. seems to work well, though the sram looks interesting as i'd prefer a shimano b/b to be screwed in
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    philthy3 wrote:
    DKay wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    DKay wrote:
    I use a plastic SRAM adapter on my PF30 Focus Cayo so I can use Ultegra cranks. No creaking or flex at all.

    I use the shells on the Dolan to adapt to GXP and I can see the flex as I pedal. Whilst they're a cheap and non-permanent adaption, I'd use something else.

    How you can tell that it's the adapter and not anything else that's flexing and ride at the same time with enough power to produce the flex is beyond my understanding???

    New frame and new BB. Using it on the turbo where I can see the SRAM cups wobbling and can also see them moving by just turning the cranks by hand on the workstand. Now these might be different to what you have, but this is a BB30 bottom bracket fitted with the black plastic cups that fit in the BB housing to accept a GXP crankset.

    http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/bb30-to ... wgodhiMAJg

    Yeah, totally different product to the one I've got fitted to my Cayo. My adapter doesn't wobble, squish, creak, flex or be anything other than rock solid. Focus specify the same PF30 adapter themselves on their own OEM builds where they use Shimano cranks.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram ... wgodWHIARw
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    adamfo wrote:
    Cannondale and FSA make 24mm thread adapter tubes. I used a cheap headset press to install one in my Cannondale.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEADSET-PRESS ... em19e709ee

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fsa- ... -prod44067

    On a carbon frame it should be viewed as semi-permanent as specialist equipment would be required to remove it again although I can't imagine why anyone would.

    IMG_1393.jpg


    I've used the FSA sleeve for my CAAD10 and it's been great thus far. NO MORE SQUEEKS! If you go down the route of fitting this then you'll need a retaining compound - I used Loctite 609, which was a PITA to get hold of. FSA should supply a small tube of it with the sleeve but according the UK rep they are out of stock. If you do use this sleeve then PM me and I'll send you what I have left for the price of the postage.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    jordan_217 wrote:
    adamfo wrote:
    Cannondale and FSA make 24mm thread adapter tubes. I used a cheap headset press to install one in my Cannondale.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEADSET-PRESS ... em19e709ee

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fsa- ... -prod44067

    On a carbon frame it should be viewed as semi-permanent as specialist equipment would be required to remove it again although I can't imagine why anyone would.

    IMG_1393.jpg


    I've used the FSA sleeve for my CAAD10 and it's been great thus far. NO MORE SQUEEKS! If you go down the route of fitting this then you'll need a retaining compound - I used Loctite 609, which was a PITA to get hold of. FSA should supply a small tube of it with the sleeve but according the UK rep they are out of stock. If you do use this sleeve then PM me and I'll send you what I have left for the price of the postage.

    The Cannondale sleeve adapter comes with Loctite.
  • So am i right in thinking these sleeves would work ok with Campag cups as well .
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    As long as they are BSA threaded cups, yes.
  • As long as they are BSA threaded cups, yes.

    Thank You major for confirming what i thought ...

    Hard to tell from the picture of the FSA Sleeve how it actually fits at least with the Derlin Plastic Sram one there are two threaded cups which should elimnate any allingment issues .
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    I've never fitted one of those sleeves but I've had one in my hands. They are quite stiff so unless the BB shell is both out of alignment and undersized (i.e. out of spec), I imagine they should work quite well.
  • i am guessing a smear of 600 loctite on the center of the shell might be needed to stop the sleeve spinning ?

    Major i saw from your previous posts that you tried the Tripeak convertor from Planet X ...any good ?
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    i am guessing a smear of 600 loctite on the center of the shell might be needed to stop the sleeve spinning ?

    Nope. The contact area is the area where the BB30 bearings used to be IE. the tube is wider at the ends than in the middle.

    5915d9d5-3c62-44d1-8aed-ffa1935b7bb9.jpg

    When I inserted mine with a headset press the friction was certainly enough that it will never move even without Loctite.

    That thin groove you see should point towards the drive-side otherwise the thread direction will be reversed from standard.
  • ok fanks mucho for the info ...unsure what way to go now ...those sleeves are £15 at CRC so worth a try i reckon .
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    Replied to your PM Matty.

    The FSA system looks the most bullet proof. The only possible advantage of the Tripeak is that it's probably a lot easier to remove if you change your mind. Of course that could be seen as a disadvantage.