A popular GS that is value for money and used by masses of cyclists is not without its defect

Wheels of Happiness
Rizal Philippines
August 20, 2018

Epic failure of an 11 speed model Ultegra cranks


This post made link to an article which  enumerated the list of winning  framesets  at recent TDF.  All of a sudden there was a query/comment as to winning GS at each stages.  Of course that it is an unfair question because I am not a witness to TDF, nor do this post have data on the query.

Obviously the commentator is pro that Japnese brand.  Yet data shows that for the entire TDF history the winning brand is from Italy 41 as against only 7 for the Japanese brand.   I might speculate that many people worldwide are using the affordable Japanese brand.

But if you have used the Italian brand, you will not use any other brand because of its beauty and superior performance brought about by long learning curve (manufacturing and quality prowess)

The Japanese brand is also not without its defects like crank parts separating from the other crank parts as reported    NB.   We are not brand bashers.  But hindi perfect ang Japanese brand na ito...

Musing on S hollow tech

That is why the cranks now are wider rather than round.

Little education on Bottom Bracket tech when buying GS or Crankset - please check and verify before buying

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 26, 2018

om brackets

                                     Cut  out view of BB 30 shell and crank

I got enamored with a GS and I was able to buy one cheap only to find out that its crankset is BB 30. BB 30 is short and adopted to mostly to Cannondale. It was invented by Cannondale. It consist of bearing only pressed fit into the bottom bracket shell vs a circlip engaged in the slot in the shell.  BB 30 cranks are fit only to BB 30 bikes! Its cranks are short....74 mm.. So with  BB386.  Some cranks are not interchangeable with one another. Some cranks are 30 mm in diameter, some are 24 and 22 mm (like the one I bought)  Things get more complicated if you go to MTB where BB shells can be or 86.5 or 91mm.   But Shimano cranks seem to be adopted to many shells.

Kaya pala walang bumili noong GS na iyon na BB30. Now its my problem if  the crank will fit my bike (hindi Cannondale)

BB 30, BB 386 BB 865 make for stronger crank  BB set up and is much lighter.  vs the traditional two piece BB or threaded BB shell (the thread makes the  BB shell heavier)  However, the  pressfit thing requires special tool for installation and removal... Only few bike shops and few mechanics know the PF.

Before jumping in to buy a crank set, ask questions and verify.  Like me I cant return the crankset.  I have to buy a new one (a 24 mm crank diameter) 104 mm long (the BB30 crank  spindle  is only 74 mm.. long (being BB30 crank)

A lot of mechanics and sellers are not very familiar yet with this. Those who are selling cranks cant answer too.

The buyers too must not sell their crank or GS if they will not fit the bike of the  buyer.

Salamat po

BB chart compatibility