KCNC roller bearing bottom bracket
Now here’s an interesting development. I’ve just found this article over on BkeRumor about a new bottom bracket from KCNC (of anodised jockey-wheel fame) which looks like offering a useful increase in bottom bracket life.
Basically, the usual outboard cartridge bearings are replaced with roller bearings, which I believe spread the load over a wider area ensuring they run more accurately and more smoothly for longer.
Dave has recently perfected the process of replacing standard cartridge bearings in outboard bottom brackets, giving useful life increases for anything from Superstars cheap bottom brackets upwards at a cost of a few pounds. If you’re not mechanically minded though these look to be a sound purchase at around £39 or so.
At least you won’t have to trouble yourself or the bike shop mechanic any sooner than you need to. And knowing KCNC, I’d expect a range of colours too!
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 3 comments on ‘KCNC roller bearing bottom bracket’
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tony says:
Hi Matt
SuperStar are doing one too. I guess that they may be from the same OEM.
There is a big thread on Singletrack forum discussing the merits or otherwise of using angular roller bearings rather than ball bearing races for a BB. I’m no engineer to comment but the common consensus is that if they are well sealed (unlike many HT11 type BB) they will last for ages. It’s all down to the sealing.
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Posted on June 23, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Dave says:
I’m sure well sealed bearings will last much longer than 6 months! Having said that, where is the motivation going to come from. Make a well sealed bottom bracket, sell less……hmmmmm.
The SS one is £45 and available now with a 5 year warranty. Ebay has some KCNC ones for £40 but not clear if they are these angular roller bearings or not.
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Posted on June 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm
paul901 says:
They are getting attention on the roadie forums too with the usual counter-arguments that outboard BBs are nonsense, created for the industry by the industry to sell more product, easier for mechanics to install, easier to spit out bikes. Usual advocates that only BB30 does the whole engineering job properly etc.
It’s all well and good but for those of us with non-BB30 external bottom brackets they sound good so let’s hope they are just what we need.
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Posted on June 26, 2010 at 8:42 am