The Best Bottom Bracket for every Bike - The End.

You really want to know what the best Bottom Bracket Standard is? And the best brand of bottom bracket bearing to use in each application? Here it is. The definitive answer to that question.

Featured:
Square Taper
ISIS
Octolink
Hollowtech II
GXP
DUB
BB30
PF30
BB386evo
T47 and T47i
BSA
Itallian
BB90
BB89
BB92

Is Chris King the best?

[paullinnitt]

Literally the madness that is the international bike industry in one video.

[robdogracing]

This is hands down the best bb summary on YouTube. Thanks for sharing!

[HabaneroTi]

I have no idea what specific BB standard my bike uses, but it has a 20+ year old Ti road frame with a threaded BB into which I installed a square taper sealed cartridge Campy BB that cost under $20 in 2003 and has been absolutely perfect and is still smooth as can be. I mostly ride on paved roads but occasionally ride over dirt, grass, gravel and roads that are in horrible condition. Works for me.

[velocity]

The press fit bbs where the two halves of the bb thread into each other and don't require a press are great. I installed them easily myself and been running them for years with no issues.

[cosinus_square]

4 years on my SKF square taper bottom bracket and counting. Most of my square taper bb's have lasted way longer than bb cups. Best looking cranks as well.

[Hambini]

Liz Hurley rides Hambini BBs... I wish BB meant ball bag.

[simonwarmer]

BB30 in a sl6 SW Tarmac here, no alignment problems. I’ve got a Hambini race bottombracket NTN bearings for 24 mm Shimano. 0 creaks, stiff and butter smooth.

[bayendor]

Well done, cutting straight to the chase. My experience with high end Ti and Carbon frames mirrors your choices, BSA 24mm & BB386Evo respectively.

[robertkoleczko]

As a mechanic, good video! And your Fazit fits😁‼️ Pressfit isn't as bad, like a lot of people think. The first year of Pressfit, in my workshop, I hated this " plastic toy story" stuff! Since 2017 I use Shimano press fit, on my actual aluminum DH Frame, and I never had Saint cranks, running that smooth and easy. But for almost 80 to 90 % of all bike frames, BSA is the best and most proper way, solution. Clean Thread, tightening brackets, Crankshaft and cranks mounting. Ready to go.
The only, a bit negative thing about Hollow tech II Shimano bearings, they have a bit less long life durability

[kylezick]

Worked in shops all through all the bottom bracket standard evolution. Personally, I never had ANY issues with any of the 5 BB30 bikes I owned (still have one!) but of course saw plenty of issues on poorly set up customer bikes. I agree that 386evo isn’t a bad design if a bracket goes in that uses replaceable bearings but I have to say I’m all in on T47. I have two bikes with t47 and they just work so well with the bigger spindle sizes and easy servicing. Also, if you have a T47 68mm shell designed for outboard bearings, you can use the inboard instead and use your old BB30 crank with a narrow dbca. Takes some doing but you can make it work. As for T47 quality, the Wheels Mfg bis nice (you can swap in higher quality bearings) and I just installed a SRAM ceramic T47 on my melee and was quite impressed with the quality. Also uses replaceable bearings (6806).

[moobaz]

That was exhausting! There's a reason I like steel and ti. Its proper engineering with simple solutions. 👍

[workshopninjathest]

As a cytec qualified former shop mechanic who wrenched through the naughties I can confirm - if it’s metal King every time. Even a used king bb is better than the competition, also serviceable and backed by a lifetime warranty.
I only have one stupid bb standard in my Parlee Z5 (OG bb30 bearings and c clips) but I fitted it properly and it’s never given me a problem, don’t ride it in the rain and don’t let it get too cold or too hot…

[markdundon]

A brilliant video, as a home DIY mechanic I have spent many hours researching up the different BB standards over the years. This is a great summary thank you. I have Shimano BB89 ultegra version on my Canyon and surprisingly I got about 16, 000km on it before the bearings went on the NDS cup. I've just replaced it with exactly the same BB. Very happy with that level of longevity and the cost is very good.

[bicyclist]

I started with the sealed cartridge square taper bottom brackets back in the early 90's. After the introduction of the press fits, I got a little lost on all the new sizing and standards. I've never owned or ridden any of these new bottom bracket standards. This is very helpful. Great explanations. Thank you.

[markg]

Ten years of perfect service from the Praxis BB30 to Shimano 24mm adaptor. Using this setup in a 2013-14 Felt Z4 carbon bike I bought new. The original BB30 bearings lasted 100 miles before creaking. I now have over 13, 000 miles on the Felt with the Praxis conversion kit. Quality kit!

[madplanet]

I've crippled bottom brackets until I stuck a hambini in my s works. Never looked back. Never changed bearings either. Silent fast spinning setup.

[cxbkpmf]

Exceptionally educational and sensible. This is 100% on target.

[screamOP]

Was about to purchase BBinfinite Threaded BB but bought a CK threaded instead as it was on sale (still cost more). Then I came across this video. Worth it. Thanks for the detailed explanation!

[donschloth]

I’ve been a dedicated BBINFINATE user for several years now. I have used both press fit and threaded on my bikes. As far as durability and wear I’ve had no problems. I do tend to care for my bikes well above the normal maintenance requirements and standards. I replace bearing seals, clean and lube the BB bearings twice a year. Similar to UK weather I live in the Pacific Northwest and deal with rain, mud, slop, grit and road crud quite a bit so it’s essential to keep up on the preventive maintenance.

[huntos]

Reassuring as the new bike I’ve just built is BB386evo. Went for a Wheels Manufacturing thread together bottom bracket which seems pretty decent