Bottom Bracket for SRAM

[anonymous-user]

I am trying to decide on which BB to fit to the SL3 with the force crank. Not interested that much in st/stl or bling for the sake of it but want something reliable.

I have boiled it down to the following Hope or Chris King. The Hope is cheaper but I am not sure about the spacers? King stuff has a decent rep but is dear and the lubrication tool is bonkers! I know about the GXP bottom bracket but loads of people both online and in our club have said dont touch it even though its cheap.

Anyone used either of the above combinations and have good/bad experiences to report?

[Raoul Duke]

Sort of; I have a SRAM GXP bb on the winter bike and a Chris King on the summer bike so can give something of a back to back analysis. The GXP is perfectly functional, so plenty good enough for what i personally expect of it, but certainly not wonderful.
The Chris King by contrast, is a thing of beauty! It replaced a SRAM Red ( ceramic ) bb about 8mths ago, and so far i really cant find a reason to fault it. Its very smooth, very light, has already lasted longer than the SRAM Red and the colour matches the bikes Chris King headset perfectly - whats not to like!
Will happily replace the GXP on the winter bike when it wears out with another, as this bike is primarily for training in foul weather, but the Chris King is noticably better - i wouldn't bother with the GXP on my better bike.
As for Hope, i have no experience personally - although the LBS where i bought the CK did suggest it as a better value alternative to CK. They are all fairly experienced cyclists so i trust their judgement, but ultimately am very happy with the choice i made.

[itsnotarace]

Is it not BB30?

[Raoul Duke]

I thought that too, however would expect that bearings will be the same quality irrespective.

[itsnotarace]

Well if it's BB30 then the bearings are pressed into the frame so CK and Hope wont work

[Raoul Duke]

Perhaps its not in that case! Hadn't realised that CK and Hope didn't cater to BB30 - just assumed that they did, they must be missing a fair bit of the market place by not doing so.

[anonymous-user]

No definately not BB30 its an english thread in this frame.

[Rouleur]

AIUI you can get some sort of adapter to fit a Hope BB into a BB30 shell.

[itsnotarace]

Raoul Duke said:

Hadn't realised that CK and Hope didn't cater to BB30 - just assumed that they did, they must be missing a fair bit of the market place by not doing so.

BB30 does away with bottom bracket cups in the traditional sense. The bearings are pressed directly into the frame and the cranks are mounted directly. The additional crank spindle width increases stiffness and there is around 100g weight saving as you lose the external cups so it's technically a better solution

yonex said:

No definately not BB30 its an english thread in this frame.

I'd go for CK then

Rouleur said:

AIUI you can get some sort of adapter to fit a Hope BB into a BB30 shell.

http://www.velotechservices.co.uk/shop/Vprod4.asp?cat=7410002023

[anonymous-user]

Is it essential to buy the greasing tool with the CK? Looks easy enough to make....?

[Raoul Duke]

As i understand it the tool is to allow you to quickly "flush" it through and use a thinner grease when you race, without having to strip it down. The normal service requirements are no different to any other BB.