What BB for SS CX?

[Trigger]

Hello there learned ones,

I'm about to pull the trigger (intended) on some new parts for my specialized tricross singlecross and can't decide which bottom bracket to buy. I'm trying to keep the build light, but it also needs to be tough. So far I've got Stans rims that I'll
Lace to WI hubs and I'm also gonna get WI cranks. What I'm currently tossing up between is a Phil wood bb or WI Ti bb. Which of these is toughest and is there another option I should be considering? Wanna place my order for the WI stuff tomorrow so I'd appreciate any feedback possible.

Cheers.

[Sime]

Trig... the parts you are building with are vastly starting to eclipse the frameset!

[HeavyMetalCyclist]

I would go with something that is a little cheaper to replace, just cos cross BBs always shit themselves. But that's just me.

[Aeons]

Why square taper cranks? Wouldn't getting something like shimano cx70's to an external hope or CK bottom bracket be more durable/sensible.
This is just an idea/what I might be doing on my bike.

[Trigger]

Trig... the parts you are building with are vastly starting to eclipse the frameset!

You speak the truth. I'd upgrade the frame but I can find a ss cx bike that I like more than the singlecross, so it'll stay until something radder comes along. Also, I think the upgrade on this is gonna be a bit more more than twice what I paid for the bike.

[Sime]

would you consider building a WI ENO rear hub and use a frame with vertical dropouts? It would open up the potential for even more really nice frames, and would then allow you to convert to geared if you ever changed your mind... more and more newer frames are going to BB30/PF30 BB's too... which give you greater crank choices...

that also opens up the option of a single speed enabling 'beer components - eccentric BB30' BB aswell!

oh the choices...

[snowflake]

would you consider building a WI ENO rear hub and use a frame with vertical dropouts? It would open up the potential for even more really nice frames, and would then allow you to convert to geared if you ever changed your mind.

And it's simple to swap the eccentric ends/axle to a straight axle, and to change OLD spacings. And they're very shiny.

And because the ENO has a ~47mm chainline you can use a road crank/BB with the ring on the outside. I've done this for years - it's a great setup.

[horatio]

Blakey will chime in but my understanding is titanium bottom brackets are notoriously unreliable and break. Bad place to save weight. From memory don't skf make hardcore sealed bb?

[Trigger]

Blakey will chime in but my understanding is titanium bottom brackets are notoriously unreliable and break. Bad place to save weight. From memory don't skf make hardcore sealed bb?

This is a more helpful post. I'm currently leaning towards getting a Phil Wood BB as I've heard they are tuff as. As for getting a geared frame and running it ss, I don't wanna do that. I also dint want to run geared components in my ss. I like the WI cranks because from what I've heard they are super tough and they weigh a lot less than other ss cranks out there. I've also found a place that'll get me a front WI hub, freewheel and crank/chainring delivered for $440, so I figure that's pretty good bang for my buck. I'm interested to hear more from peeps about the benefits of getting a kick ass bb vs getting a cheap one and replacing it often.

[snowflake]

This is a more helpful post. I'm currently leaning towards getting a Phil Wood BB as I've heard they are tuff as. As for getting a geared frame and running it ss, I don't wanna do that. I also dint want to run geared components in my ss. I like the WI cranks because from what I've heard they are super tough and they weigh a lot less than other ss cranks out there. I've also found a place that'll get me a front WI hub, freewheel and crank/chainring delivered for $440, so I figure that's pretty good bang for my buck. I'm interested to hear more from peeps about the benefits of getting a kick ass bb vs getting a cheap one and replacing it often.

Fair enough. I don't think it makes a huge difference. FWIW, I've used numerous BBs over the years and all id say is that sealed bearings are a must. Beyond that I haven't really seen any notable differences, and I've ridden them submerged and through all sorts of shit. I like the Shimano UN5x and UN7x BBs because theyre not expensive and they last very well, IME.