cranks and bb... hollowtech II?

roughedges

roughedges

Joined
Oct 3, 2004
Messages
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any mtb'ing forumites tried the hollowtech or hollowtech II designs? is there any real difference between the two?

I am liking the idea of the integral bb and have heard a few good things regarding its strength and rigidity but am trying to get as many opinions as I can before buying. I'm thinking I'll either go with a shimano lx mc-580 or, the more traditional route, truvativ bb with the hussefelt triple.

I'm also open to suggestions though! :D

Price range is around $200, otherwise I'd be going XTR or equivalent.
 
"Boy, if I answer that right and win another refrigerator, I'll just die." -Churchy La Femme
 
lol. I know its technical enough that I should take it to bikeforums for a bunch of answers but I'd rather ask here what with all the diverse tastes of the forumites.

I googled "churchy la femme" because the name sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. Pogo is great stuff, thanks!
 
I'd do the Truvativ cranks and BB set. Forged, solid aluminum is way better IMHO. See the reviews on mtbreview.com

I'm running the Shimano XT crank and BB, and I don't think the cranks are rigid enough for me. (They are hollow.) I will be switching to the Truvativ setup next time Nashbar or PricePoint has a blowout sale on them.
 
thanks for the info code 3, I don't know how I've never stumbled across that review site before. great place! so now I'm leading towards the hussefelt triple with a gigapipe dh bottom bracket. What did it for me was way too many people complaining about worn or broken teeth and recommending replacing the chain rings immediately on the lx hollowtech cranks.


now I just need to puzzle out what spindle and shell length I need on the bb. I bought a trek fuel 80 ('01 model) used and can't for the life of me figure out what spindle and shell lengths I need on the bb. Treks own "detailed specifications" don't even mention a make and model! :barf:

If I end up taking it apart just to measure lengths I am going to be pissed!
 
MTB and Road Bike reviews is a good resource. I have always figured you have to look at the overall gist of the reviews, though, and make sure they are talking about the same product you're looking at.
Sometimes an old review will discredit a new-updated-or improved item.

Parts makers have been known to "spam" these sites, too.

"Wow! This widget is the BEST widget in the whole world!" :D
 
I would do either a Shimano LX with the new outboard bearing BB (Hollowtech II) or a Race Face Evolve XC with the X-type (also outboard bearing) BB. There's no reason to do a traditional bottom bracket design, be it splined or square taper. The new X-type (Race Face), Mega-Exo (FSA), Hollowtech II (Shimano) is lighter, stiffer, stronger, and simpler.

Eric


edited to add:

I've owned everything from square taper to ISIS to Octalink Hollowtech to X-type to Hollowtech II that I'm currently on, and I definitely like these new XT Hollowtech II cranks the best. Light, stiff, and strong. Much stiffer than the old Octalink Hollowtech.
 
Eric1115 said:
I would do either a Shimano LX with the new outboard bearing BB (Hollowtech II) or a Race Face Evolve XC with the X-type (also outboard bearing) BB. There's no reason to do a traditional bottom bracket design, be it splined or square taper. The new X-type (Race Face), Mega-Exo (FSA), Hollowtech II (Shimano) is lighter, stiffer, stronger, and simpler.

Eric


edited to add:

I've owned everything from square taper to ISIS to Octalink Hollowtech to X-type to Hollowtech II that I'm currently on, and I definitely like these new XT Hollowtech II cranks the best. Light, stiff, and strong. Much stiffer than the old Octalink Hollowtech.
Click to expand...

All well and good if you are a skinny dude under 175.

I'm 240 pounds, and guys my size at work have trashed those Hollowtech cranks. Bent the **** right out of them. One set I saw started as a small dent from some trail ride. The next ride, they bent right at the dent site. Other set bent with no apparent defect or dent. All guys over 225lbs.

I have not seen the new outboard bearing stuff yet, so maybe I'll look at that before I change cranks and BB.
 
CODE 3 said:
All well and good if you are a skinny dude under 175.

I'm 240 pounds, and guys my size at work have trashed those Hollowtech cranks. Bent the **** right out of them. One set I saw started as a small dent from some trail ride. The next ride, they bent right at the dent site. Other set bent with no apparent defect or dent. All guys over 225lbs.

I have not seen the new outboard bearing stuff yet, so maybe I'll look at that before I change cranks and BB.
Click to expand...



Definitely do the new bb style. TruVativ calls it the GXP series.
 
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