Best Value Square Taper Bottom Bracket in 2022?
02-08-22, 03:23 PM
#1
Constant tinkerer
Thread Starter
Best Value Square Taper Bottom Bracket in 2022?
My go-to used to be the Shimano UN55 which I've had good luck with. But it's apparently discontinued and replaced by the dirt cheap UN300. For ~$15 I can't imagine that one is very good...
Other options? I'm not looking to spend a fortune (SKF), I just want something decent that will hold up. I've been burned by cheap options in the past (can't remember brands) that only lasted a year or less before failing.
I typically use 103, 107, and 110mm lengths.
Other options? I'm not looking to spend a fortune (SKF), I just want something decent that will hold up. I've been burned by cheap options in the past (can't remember brands) that only lasted a year or less before failing.
I typically use 103, 107, and 110mm lengths.
02-08-22, 03:43 PM
#2
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Tange. Well made, good variety of sizes, often under $20.
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02-08-22, 04:57 PM
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I have a un300, not lots of miles on it but it seemed solid and well made, with aluminum cups, not plastic. Sure feels like as step up from from un26
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02-08-22, 04:59 PM
#4
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Don't imagine. Just get the UN-300 and find out. If it doesn't last, then it was only a few bucks you lost and you can say nanny-nanny-boo-boo to the rest of us that just speculate.
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02-08-22, 06:33 PM
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I read the subject line and the first thing I think of is "the BB that you can actually get and also fits". This said after the worst two years of product availability. Andy
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02-08-22, 07:20 PM
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Yes, Tange Seiki. But $30. Inflation, you know.
Tange LN-3922 Square Taper Bottom Bracket The Bikesmiths
Tange LN-3922 Bottom Bracket | - Ben's Cycle (benscycle.com)
Tange LN-3922 Square Taper Bottom Bracket The Bikesmiths
Tange LN-3922 Bottom Bracket | - Ben's Cycle (benscycle.com)
02-08-22, 07:20 PM
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Yes, Tange Seiki. But $30. Inflation, you know.
Not too hard to find:
Tange LN-3922 Square Taper Bottom Bracket The Bikesmiths
Tange LN-3922 Bottom Bracket | - Ben's Cycle (benscycle.com)
Tange LN-3922 Square Taper Bottom Bracket The Bikesmiths
Tange LN-3922 Bottom Bracket | - Ben's Cycle (benscycle.com)
02-08-22, 07:24 PM
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Depending on what length you need there are still UN 55 floating around and on Ebay.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=44899
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=44899
02-08-22, 08:40 PM
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I recently bought a Velo Orange BB that does the trick nicely.
02-08-22, 10:09 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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SKF makes a great B.B. I know what you are thinking but it is a quality part made by one of the largest bearing manufacturers and will last a long long long time. That being said the IRD Defiant is another I like and the QB-55 looks to be a good cheap-o type one, they are made by Tange so of good quality.
02-08-22, 11:01 PM
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That Tange BB from Bikesmiths is on eBay for $19.70.
Shipped.
Shipped.
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02-09-22, 08:30 AM
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SKF makes a great B.B. I know what you are thinking but it is a quality part made by one of the largest bearing manufacturers and will last a long long long time. That being said the IRD Defiant is another I like and the QB-55 looks to be a good cheap-o type one, they are made by Tange so of good quality.
Reason I ask is I bought into the advertising copy just after the bottom brackets on two of my bikes went out. So I've had a pair of SKFs in my stock for the next time a BB wears out, but the cheap Shimano stuff has lasted about a dozen years now. Not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved!
02-09-22, 09:57 AM
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The un300 bb is actually fairly decent in my opinion and as nice as the un55. As someone mentioned, it has aluminum cups, it's a cartridge bearing on each side and seems built like the tange. I just wish there was something decent between the tange and un300 and an skf or Phil. Something like the old ultegra/xt level. Building a bike for my daughter and really end up having to use an origin8 to get a decent q-factor, the 41t 1x she should have and still fit a 142 rear end. Just don't want to go that much over 100 for a square taper.
02-09-22, 12:05 PM
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I've seen some pretty brutal reviews of the SKF BBs. Did you have any problems installing and torqueing yours?
Reason I ask is I bought into the advertising copy just after the bottom brackets on two of my bikes went out. So I've had a pair of SKFs in my stock for the next time a BB wears out, but the cheap Shimano stuff has lasted about a dozen years now. Not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved!
Reason I ask is I bought into the advertising copy just after the bottom brackets on two of my bikes went out. So I've had a pair of SKFs in my stock for the next time a BB wears out, but the cheap Shimano stuff has lasted about a dozen years now. Not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved!
02-09-22, 01:58 PM
#16
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I like the Interloc Racing Design (IRD) QB-55, QB-75, and QB-95.
They are all nice quality stuff made by Tange Seiki. QB-55 comes standard with steel cups; QB-75 with aluminum.
They sell cups and spacers separately, and you have to go that way to get French, Italian, or Swiss configurations. They even recommend that, if you're going that way, you shouldn't buy the QB-75; just get the QB-55, because you'll be swapping the cups anyway.
Although I have not done the job myself, I have read that the bearing cartridges on those IRD units can be replaced.
They are all nice quality stuff made by Tange Seiki. QB-55 comes standard with steel cups; QB-75 with aluminum.
They sell cups and spacers separately, and you have to go that way to get French, Italian, or Swiss configurations. They even recommend that, if you're going that way, you shouldn't buy the QB-75; just get the QB-55, because you'll be swapping the cups anyway.
Although I have not done the job myself, I have read that the bearing cartridges on those IRD units can be replaced.
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02-09-22, 02:10 PM
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02-09-22, 02:35 PM
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Typically ~$80, sometimes available for less.
At them moment, as with many things, availability can be a challenge. I bought a QB-55 a while back directly from the IRD web store, which meant a slightly higher price, and no special deals on shipping - but they had it on hand, so problem solved.
02-09-22, 04:14 PM
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That's where I mentally put the IRD QB-95.
Typically ~$80, sometimes available for less.
At them moment, as with many things, availability can be a challenge. I bought a QB-55 a while back directly from the IRD web store, which meant a slightly higher price, and no special deals on shipping - but they had it on hand, so problem solved.
Typically ~$80, sometimes available for less.
At them moment, as with many things, availability can be a challenge. I bought a QB-55 a while back directly from the IRD web store, which meant a slightly higher price, and no special deals on shipping - but they had it on hand, so problem solved.
02-09-22, 08:04 PM
#20
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I fixed up an old Fuji mountain bike for a friend and picked up a Sunlite SL-26 BB on Amazon for like $15. It was all steel, including the cups. A bit on the heavy side, but very smooth and solid. I would buy another one if I needed to replace a square taper BB.
02-10-22, 09:08 AM
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The Phil Wood bottom bracket that I chose for my frame 45 years ago still feels like new. I assumed it would be way more than $165 now, but that's the price. And they are available!
I consider it a great VALUE, despite the current price. You will never need to fiddle with it, ever. Not what you were looking for, I know. But something to keep in mind.
I consider it a great VALUE, despite the current price. You will never need to fiddle with it, ever. Not what you were looking for, I know. But something to keep in mind.
02-10-22, 09:34 AM
#22
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Anything with a non-steel cup is a no buy in my oppinion. I buy Sunrace sealed cartridge BBs which is one of the few that still have steel cups.
https://www.sunrace.com/en/products/detail/bbs15-bbs16
https://www.sunrace.com/en/products/detail/bbs15-bbs16
02-10-22, 10:02 AM
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As long as a bit of extra weight and the lack of brand cache' are not major concerns, I could buy 10+ Sunlite/Sunrace BB's for the price of one PW BB. I do appreciate the longevity of a premium moving part, like my 25 year old Chris King headset that I have had to clean and grease only one time, but I don't see the point of paying so much for a square taper BB.
02-25-22, 11:18 AM
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Just installed a Shimano BB-UN300 this afternoon onto a bike I'm building up and I'm very impressed with it although the left hand cup was a bit hard to fit. With a crankset on it spins like crazy and actually better than any external BB I've had.
02-25-22, 11:49 AM
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For me, Q-factor is a bigger issue than cost. (Knee replacements being a little more expensive than even the most expensive BBs). I don't do Shimano if I can possibly avoid it because every one I have seen is symmetrical, ie the same length the the non-drive side as the drive side. I know this makes me look like an old fart, but I took it for granted that BBs were asymmetrical, cranks were straight and left cranks came close to left chainstays. Right cranks about a cm further out. Seemed this was the norm for Sugino and others in the '70s and '80s. Does me good to hear that some of the most expensive new stuff is now talking low Q-factor. Now if we can just get that to trickle down a little faster!