Award Winning Global Tri-Sport Shop
Stepping up a level in bearing quality, and with new exterior sealing, the Platinum Pro offers great value for money
Good quality and good sealing - great value too
Probably the most beautiful bottom bracket around
Classic lightweight conventional unit with solid history
Just as good as the Record (apart from 40g) but costing far less
FSA's cheapest ISIS-drive bottom bracket is actually a great little performer
A good BB for the money; great sealing
...the Diabolous cups have 10mm extra thread insertion. Not only does this re-inforce the bottom bracket shell and reduce the risk of stripping, but it also gives you more scope for fitting chain devices to frames without ISCG mounts. Additionally, the Diabolous bottom bracket can be used for spacing out your BB shell so that you can run cranks designed for 83mm shell widths on 73mm bottom bracket shells. This improves the chainline with 150mm rear hubs without leaving your BB cups literally hanging on by a thread. Bearing life has proved reliable and you can't beat a splash of gold on the dirtiest are aon the bike.
This is the same bottom bracket that comes with the Race Face Diabolous cranks, so you know it's built to last.
We got one of Hope's first production ceramic bottom brackets over a year ago. The great news is that after all that time it's still going strong, despite constant use and absolutely no attention. We did hear of one over in the Pennines that needed a clean-up after a month, but that's been fine ever since. It looks as though their unique labyrinth seals, direct mount INA bearings and alloy sleeved design work.The downside? Hope's bottom bracket is pretty expensive at almost £100 and slightly heavier than other ceramic sets.
These aren't cheap, but they're the nearest thing to a fit-and-forget BB that you can buy right now
The new Hope external bottom bracket looks like another Lancashire longevity winner. Sick of short-lived external bottom brackets on their own bikes, Hope have taken all they know about wheel seals and bearings (which is a hell of a lot) and put it into this new bottom bracketUpscaled versions of Hope's legendary Pro 2 and 3 hub labyrinth seals stop shit getting in from outside, with O-ring seals on the internal alloy tube too. Behind these are custom stainless steel units from INA (who do all Hope's bearings) with even smoother, longer running ceramic options (£95) and Truvativ-compatible versions available soon. Full installation instructions are laser etched onto the cups and sleeve, and they come in a wide range of anodised colours.We've had our sample running since November through a seriously wet and nasty northern winter - easily enough to kill most other external BBs. The Hope is still spinning silk smooth with no hint of pop, grind or grumble.While the initial price might seem high compared to other disposable units, the bearings are easily replaceable when they do eventually wear out. We'll be back with a long-term test to see exactly how long that takes - we reckon it'll be a fair while yet though.
A great transmission investment, with superb smoothness and sealing so far
We've only had one sample of Token's Tiramic ceramic bearing bottom bracket to play with, but so far it's not bad.With titanium nitride coated bearing races using super hard, super smooth ceramic balls, it's certainly silky and light to start with. It's a very tempting price for a ceramic bottom bracket too.Keeping it smooth depends on regularly popping off the basic seals and cleaning and regreasing the bearing faces. We had to do this a month into winter when early grind set in, but it's been trouble-free since.
Not fit-and-forget, but they're cheap, light and smooth if you keep up the TLC
All that glisters... may just be coated in titanium nitride, just like Token's Tiramic bottom bracket bearings. Back in June they found their way into the editorial Time Edge Racer, since when they have completed the Dragon Ride, London-Paris, the Tour of the Hills and plenty more. Far and hard enough, then, to give an initial assessment of what is an important component of the bike.Fitment of the Shimano-compatible EX-Type bottom bracket bearing assembly is as easy as fitting Shimano's own bracket; the same tool fits, the threads are cut with the same precision and, since the Token cups are machined from aluminium alloy, there is some marking of the splines afterwards. Installation of the cranks is equally straightforward.Turning the cranks by hand suggests, backed up by counting turns, that they spin a little more freely than the OE ones, perhaps thanks to lighter seals. Since the balls are harder than steel, they deform less and require less constrictive seals.Once in the saddle, the sensation is of enhanced smoothness and rigidity. That's not to say I'd guarantee to be able to discern any difference in a 'blind' test, but even a placebo effect is welcome when it comes to turning pedals. More impressive is the definite weight difference, due to the 40percent lighter balls, and the complete lack of deterioration over a couple of thousand kms of hard riding in all weathers. The surface treatment looks as good as new, the cranks turn with the same silken solidity and the seals are unsullied by weeping grease. Maybe I'll stick them in the Roberts over winter and give 'em a real hard time.
Smooth, so smooth