Barrettscv 

My next bike frame will include the BB30 bottom bracket. On paper, the BB30 cranks look like a true improvement over the external BB cranks I'm using now. However, aftermarket supply of BB30 cranks is limited. I like Shimano cranks and Shimano currently does not offer a BB30 crankset. I already own a Shimano crank that I would like to use.

Should I just install an adapter on the BB30 frame and keep my existing cranks until Shimano does make a BB30 model?

bonz50

aren't the adapters non-removable (i seem to remember reading that here somewhere)?? either way you go I would think that modifying the frame will reduce resale down the road... I'd sell your shim crank and just get something else if you are dead set on bb30, just my take...

if the adapters are not a permanent solution then why not use em...

Barrettscv 

Yes, the ideal of using an adapter is not plan A. I just want to consider my options before getting a new $300 crank.

Quel

I'm not sure about how the shimmed/adapted standard BB cranks work compared to BB30 ones. But on my tri bike I have a BB30 Force crank, and on my road bike I have a GXP Force crank. No difference in feel to me. If the adapter is removable in the future, I'd go with that.

LowCel 

Why would the adaptors be non-removable? They are pressed in the same way that the bb30 bearings are pressed in aren't they?

nhluhr

The adapters can be pressed out.

Psimet2001 

Wheels Mfg makes a set of shims that go on the end of GXP spindles to take out the extra space and adapt to BB30 bearing setups. I am running them now and have installed them on many other bikes. The are just shims so there is no bonding anything like there is with the press in shell adapters. I would highly advise going this route until you feel the need to buy a BB30 crank down the road.

FWIW - I am using it to adapt myQuarq GXP SRAM S975 ti my Aerocat R505 BB30 Bottom Bracket shell.

FlashBazbo

I have seen two BB30 cranks go bad. It was a problem with the crank, not the BB. But I've never heard of a name brand English thread crank going bad. Strike 1.

Availability of cranks I want in BB30 is a problem. Strike 2.

Threaded BB's are very, very easy to install and maintain. BB30, not so. Strike 3.

BB30 is just a way of creating demand for captive-brand cranks.

Nick Bain

the wider bearings would create more friction.

Barrettscv 

That sounds like a great solution. The adapters allow the BB30 bearings to remain, so some of the advantages of BB30 are realized. My Hollowtech crank will be heavier than the newer BB30 cranks, but I'm not a weight weenie. Thank you for the recommendation, Robert.

FlashBazbo

It is interesting that Velonews' scientific testing showed that BB30 is no stiffer. I thought that was supposed to be a major benefit!

sakonnetclip

Hey, in a crowded field you've got to find some way to differentiate

Psimet2001 

Wish this were true. I won't buy the marketing hype about why BB30 came out, but On the surface it seemed like a great idea. It's the proliferation of all of the other standards that drives me nuts.

I like BB30. Less parts. Lighter. Easier connections.

If you think that creating a new standard helps you with sales....then something tells me you have never entered a well populated and crowded market and tried to convert an entire world of consumers and OEM's over to a completely new standard....'cause....you know....they did it because they want'ed to stand apart.

Also along those lines who do you believe is the company who is trying to stand apart?

BB30 has some distinct "advantages" from my point of view as a "mechanic", retailer, team owner, etc. It also has some drawbacks.

pdedes

BB30 bearings are cheap and easy to replace. the driveside crankarm has a 30mm tube on it. simple.

scirocco

BB30 is arguably better technically than an external BB systems, but it's kind of a moot point at the moment as the only decent BB30 crank on the market (Hollowgram) is hideously expensive and hard to get hold of.

KoYak

Why settle for old technology. Here comes BB386 EVO: https://www.bikerumor.com/2011/04/01/...ard-bb386-evo/

cycling technology is evolving as quickly as computer and cell phones

bbattle

Is BB30 any better than the old 70mm Italian bottom bracket with square taper spindle?

Minion1

I've got BB86, I think its the way Shimano can offer press fit bearings that are compatible with their cranks. Enduro make the bearings that the system runs, and I think it embodies the benefits of BB30 without the compatability issues.
Off topic, but IMHO hollowtech cranks make the bigger difference. The differance between square taper/octalink and hollowtech is huge: I can't see there being that much difference between HT2 and BB30 cranks apart from weight.

Minion1

Yep. Lighter and stiffer, changes the available options for frame design.
Of course there's always the increase in bearing friction. Dura Ace track cranks are still in octalink.

Psimet2001 

****************************************??? - living under a rock?

There are a wide array of BB30 cranks on the market from many manufacturers that are not super expensive that can be had easily.

Hunt-man

I got BB30 on my Pedal Force QS3 over a year ago. The bearings would not stay seated. Creaky cracky noisy POS, BB30 is. I finally had the mechanic use Green Loctite to glue the bearings in. I have the carbon SLX cranks????

I'd much rather have threaded BB's.

Minion1

https://fairwheelbikes.com/cycling-bl...nk-test-4.html plus Sram's BB30 crankset. Ignoring price (!?!?!) this gives a good run down of some of the benefits and what the differences are between BB30 and non BB30. Shimano and Campag are 24 - 25 mm spindles.

deacon mark

No vote for my take that the external is fine but I really do not know about the BB30 as far as using one. For my take the Hollowtech is better and I already have to tools that is uses.......... not need to change.

scirocco

Well, I did use the word "decent". The thread title was about BB30 being better than Hollowtech. Name me one readily available BB30 crankset (including the rings, and excluding the Hollowgram) that shifts better, flexes less and generally performs better than DA7900 on Hollowtech.

sakonnetclip

Happens all the time, you may have thought you've created the best thing in the world, but even if there's really little end user value an investment has been made and there's still marketing value...so you hype the hell out of it. How about those silly little beans Specialized put in their frames?

Cannondale is a big bike company with aggressive plans to expand in Asia and an owner with expectations. You're not going to do it just by getting bikes in shops...They have a nice marketing pitch that's easy...BB30 = stiff and S.A.V.E = comfort. The fact that there are options for BB30 cranks shows their market share is pretty influential.

For the record, I like Cannondale a lot and ride a BB30 bike. Couldn't tell you if BB30 is really any better or not but I am surprised there isn't more out there in support of the standard.