Now here’s an interesting development. I’ve just found this article over on BkeRumor about a new bottom bracket from KCNC (of anodised jockey-wheel fame) which looks like offering a useful increase in bottom bracket life.
Basically, the usual outboard cartridge bearings are replaced with roller bearings, which I believe spread the load over a wider area ensuring they run more acurately and more smoothly for longer.
Dave has recently perfected the process of replacing standard cartidge bearings in outboard bottom brackets, giving useful life increases for anything from Superstars cheap bottom brackets upwards at a cost of a few pounds. If you’re not mechanically minded though these look to be a sound purchase at around £39 or so.
At least you won’t have to trouble yourself or the bikeshop mechanic any sooner than you need to. And knowing KCNC, I’d expect a range of colours too!
tony says:
Hi Matt
SuperStar are doing one too. I guess that they may be from the same OEM.
There is a big thread on Singletrack forum discussing the merits or otherwise of using angular roller bearings rather than ball bearing races for a BB. I’m no engineer to comment but the common consensus is that if they are well sealed (unlike many HT11 type BB) they will last for ages. It’s all down to the sealing.
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Posted on June 23, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Dave says:
I’m sure well sealed bearings will last much longer than 6 months! Having said that, where is the motivation going to come from. Make a well sealed bottom bracket, sell less……hmmmmm.
The SS one is £45 and available now with a 5 year warranty. Ebay has some KCNC ones for £40 but not clear if they are these angular roller bearings or not.
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Posted on June 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm
paul901 says:
They are getting attention on the roadie forums too with the usual counter-arguments that outboard BBs are nonsense, created for the industry by the industry to sell more product, easier for mechanics to install, easier to spit out bikes. Usual advocates that only BB30 does the whole engineering job properly etc.
It’s all well and good but for those of us with non-BB30 external bottom brackets they sound good so let’s hope they are just what we need.
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Posted on June 26, 2010 at 8:42 am