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FSA to launch BB30 threadless bottom bracket
Editor’s note: Tech editor Matt Pacocha is on vacation in Belgium racing cyclocross for two weeks. Upon his return, he will be buried in producing the 2008 VeloNews Buyer’s Guide. I won’t spill the beans about what he is working on, but I will say it involves thousands of dollars of product, highly calibrated tools and a band saw. Until the Buyer’s Guide ships in early February, I will be filling in for him on Tech Reports. — Ben Delaney
This May, FSA will roll out its new BB30 bottom bracket system that brings the popular oversized bearings back into a purpose-built frame. BB30 refers to the intellectual property surrounding a 30mm spindle diameter and press-fit bottom bracket system that Cannondale made available to the industry for free. A number of new school cranks, from such makers as Zipp and FSA will rely on the BB30.
Most integrated-spindle road crank systems feature 24mm spindles and oversized bearings that sit outside the frame shell. The larger diameter means spindles can be made out of aluminum instead of steel.
Those concerned about stance width and “Q factor” will appreciate that by moving its still-oversized bearings back into the frame, the BB30 offers a considerably narrower design. Standard frames are 68mm wide at the bottom bracket shell; with outboard bearings the width comes to between 85 and 90mm.
“BB30 moves the bearings back into frame,” said Matt Van Enkevort, FSA’s general manager. “You still have the larger ball diameter but you’re back to 68mm spacing.”
There is a catch, however: the system requires frames to be specifically built for the purpose. For this reason, Cannondale and Specialized — companies with frames and components — had a jump on the competition. Cannondale first moved to the 30mm spindle in 2000.
As with any change in dimension standards, many companies were interested, but few wanted to risk the investment without first seeing a solid demand.
Crank manufacturers are moving in. Besides those listed above, Storck and Zipp have BB30 cranks. SRAM and Truvativ will be making BB30 cranks in the future, too.
Few bike builders, however, have announced plans to build BB30-compatible frames. Nonetheless, said Van Enkevort, there are plenty of big makers expressing an interest.
Van Dessel showed a BB30 frame at Interbike, but consumers will see “a lot more by May when production rolls out,” Van Enkevort said.
Van Enkevort attributes FSA’s push in to the BB30 bottom bracket and cranks (currently three models) largely to rider feedback.
“The biggest concern is from rider physique, related to the crankarm curvature,” he said. “Heel hit was a complaint, from CSC riders especially. With BB30 you’ve still got a wide, stiff bottom bracket, but with a reduced Q factor, especially for mountain bike racers.”
FSA’s BB30 system presses bearing directly into the frame, as opposed to traditional threaded systems. Trek and Scott have employed similar press-fit systems, but those are based on Shimano’s and other manufacturers 24mm spindle standard.
For now, FSA has three BB30 cranks — K-Force, SLK Light, Gossamer — with a hollow-forged road model in the works. The systems, he claims are 38 percent stiffer than their 24mm counterparts.
