Can Hambini be the #1 Bottom Bracket Manufacturer?

A few months back, Hambini celebrated hitting a whopping 100K subscribers, expressing a bold ambition to surpass Hope as the UK's premier bottom bracket manufacturer. Today, we dive into our experiences working with both brands, presenting an open letter to Hambini and inviting your thoughts on this fascinating subject.

First up, we explore the iconic Hope bottom brackets. Renowned for their durability and vibrant colors, Hope has a rich history dating back to the '80s and '90s. We examine their design philosophy, robust construction, and the loyal following they've garnered over the years.

Then, we shift our focus to the precision-engineered world of Hambini. Known for impeccable quality, Hambini's bottom brackets showcase a level of craftsmanship that's truly a work of art. We discuss the brand's minimalist approach, the absence of branding on their products, and the potential for a more diverse color palette.

The discussion delves into the nitty-gritty, addressing proprietary tools, bearing choices, and the comprehensive support offered by each brand. Hambini's commitment to solving specific issues, like creaking and premature bearing wear, is highlighted, but we ponder whether a shift towards being seen as a high-quality upgrade, rather than just a problem solver, could propel them to greater heights.

Join the conversation in the comments below! Share your experiences, preferences, and let us know which bottom bracket gets your vote. Whether you're a home mechanic or a cycling aficionado, your input matters. 🚵‍♂️💬 #CyclingCommunity #HopeVsHambini #BottomBracketShowdown

[mikekelly]

I wish Hambini all the success. One hurdle he has is that many will see him as a youtuber that makes bottom brackets, and not a bottom bracket manufacturer that does youtube. Hope also has that gloss on their marketing. And we all know that isn't what makes a product good, but it makes many of us desire it. We cyclists do love glossy marketing wankery. The fact the he's only 5 years old is quite amazing though

[tednruth]

Support your local 5 year old engineer 👍

[mattswain]

4:36 Actually this is one of the few times that I would disagree with you on: I actually think it's a huge plus. Branding is so overdone on everything, especially anything cycling related. I actively find myself looking for things with as minimal or no branding at all as part of my considerations when buying a product because often the logo or branding just looks unsightly and takes away from the product itself. Of course this is a personal preference and some people do like the recognition and bling as you say, but it's worth acknowledging that some do actually prefer the understated look.

[andymerrison]

I've been following Hambini since I saws his video on bearings on GCN. I've got one of his threaded BB's on my 2007 Cervelo SLC-SL and a pressfit on my 2022 Wilier 0SL. Both with Ultegra groupsets and both cranks as smooth as butter. And as a Brucie bonus when I ordered I discovered he lived only a few miles away so picked them up from his front door. Legend.

[PeterPutz]

Each time I buy a bike, before I receive it, I've already ordered a Hambini. The NTN bearings ARE why I buy his BB. A NTN 6806 LLU is next to impossible to buy anywhere and the ride experience on them is amazing. A Hambini is a system and it's the best you can buy. Considering the cost of carbon frames, I think his hand machined BB's are a good price point on a part that is the heart of a bike. Keep up the great work Hambini 👍

[simonwarmer]

I wouldn’t change enduro bearings for NTN ones in my Hambini bb30 in order to cut costs. Having NTN bearings is a big part of the quality of Hambini BB’s imo.

[casadisole]

I love and appreciate this channel. Unbiased opinions and a mechanic giving back like this is unheard of. I’ve learned so much in such little time.

[JamesSocialCycling]

I’ve found Hambini to be so helpful. Amazes me how he always comes back to me when I ask him a question. The T47 on my Trek is smooth and best of all quiet. My 20FIVE Wheelset, well my gravel and winter bike, now they’re Pro4 hubs and are bomb proof😊👍

[glennoc]

Hambini is fixing what shouldn't need fixing so it's a a win for him

[robertfalcone]

Customer support from hambini is incredible as well. Will be paying up for his bottom brackets on all my bikes now.

[charlesblithfield]

Great suggestions. Maybe Hambini branding could include the Princess blanket.

[terryb]

Never had any problems with Hambini products, fantastic bb

[ccampbell]

Very enjoyable and informative video, I couldn’t help wincing every time your hand reached over that lovely coffee mug .

[madplanet]

My hambini was simply a fit and forget. Never had any issues with the hambini bracket in my S Works for a couple of years.

[m.talley]

As a mechanic for decades a standout memory usually came from privateer type competitors. As bottom brackets go (bad) I had a racing customer who sought out RaceFace for using with a 24mm Shimano crankset. When asked why he quickly told me how fast bearings were trashed and he had figured out that he could remove the bearings from the cups with ease. I know Chris King was a good option and that a tool was around for greasing-purging. Also CK makes their bearings and uses stainless for all the materials (same for headsets).
The goal for that rider was ease of field servicing. This applies to needs for long distance bikepackers and tourists. A Hambini engineering mind may hear design and build compromises in wanting a product like this description.
That self-mechanic racer made a good point. Bearings alone are cheap easy to carry as spares - he had figured out how to replace them easily and it couldn't be done with stock Shimano BBs.
Is there a marketable product in this story?

[donschloth]

Again, thank you for your detailed analysis and explanations. I also appreciate how you are so passionate about your local homegrown companies! I really like to support the smaller (relatively) companies here in the US and I support them whenever I can.

[max_coast]

I like Hambini stuff because I'm a nerd for tech. The fact I can talk about it with the weird beards is fun and there's no branding to attract the Freds. I have one of his bottom brackets and it was a cake install and it's needed nothing so far. Rain, snow, gravel... nothing but admirable, quiet spinning.

[timowen]

Hambini's BB are on a different league to Hope. I very gladly bought one (for a brand new bike build) and willing paid the price asked because: 
1. the quality is the best
2. you can actually get one - in AU there is no supply for Ceramic Speed or Chris King
3. the performance is amazing - there is no drag at all - it doesn't flex
4. it won't start to creak and crack after 6 months
5. I don't have to strip is every 6 month

A recent trend in UK and US media, and it's a continuous complaint that everything costs too much (in contrast to some magical period in the past). Products like this might be expensive, but to obtain something made by hand to precision means it costs someone their time. This is expensive. Also material costs are not what they were 10 years ago - everyone in the chain is being paid more. Plus shipping goods is no longer cheap - the cost to send a produce from the UK to AU can be 50gbp if you want it inside 1 month.

@mapdec - understand what you mean by the shims on SRAM now!

[jds]

Hambini all the way. Product is amazing, he is amazing and bends over backwards to help.. Worth every penny..

[BenSietze]

Got a Hambini on my Time ADHX. Not to solve any problems but to probably have the best made BB on the market. Which is also how I see Time. Possibly the best made CF frames on the market. Not necessarily from a performance point of view, but from a manufacturing and hopefully durability point of view. Chose both as I want this bike to last a very, very long time and I’d make the same choice again tomorrow. Fact that it’s made in Europe / UK is a nice bonus. I do think the BB is expensive for what it is, but I guess the tooling required for the manufacturing will not be cheap either and need to be offset against presumably lower production numbers. Went with the 24mm 386 and rotor ALDHU cranks and couldn’t be happier with that combo. The whole drivetrain is buttery smooth and quiet. One thing though - these Hambini BB’s - as fantastic as they are, are probably not for the weight weenies among us.