Press fit BB. Solution to a problem that never existed. What I can't figure is why you would want to press fit a BB when, if something goes wrong, with a threaded one at least you can remove it and replace it. With press fit, if you install off centre and ovalize the fit, you are permanently screwed. I know of a small number of good frames that were ruined by cross threading, but careful fitting usually fixes this (among reaming the BB before install of the bracket itself). Headsets, on the other hand, can be press fit as with my King HS, they almost always outlive the bike. It seems the more the industry screws around with something the more problems they generate. And with the HS/BB comparison, the BB gets far more wear and tear and is more likely to need replacing. And even with a threaded BB, if the bearings wear out they are easy enough to replace, if you actually can with your model.
I think the real issue is the quality of the seals. My Hadley hubs have 12 years on them without a bearing replacement yet, and they are still smooth as silk. So long as nothing gets in I find that good bearings will last. But I could just be lucky. Or Hadley is that good (I have ordered another set on this fact). And hubs get just as much gunk about them as the BB does.
Feb. 26, 2018, 4:47 p.m. - Peter Leeds
Press fit BB. Solution to a problem that never existed. What I can't figure is why you would want to press fit a BB when, if something goes wrong, with a threaded one at least you can remove it and replace it. With press fit, if you install off centre and ovalize the fit, you are permanently screwed. I know of a small number of good frames that were ruined by cross threading, but careful fitting usually fixes this (among reaming the BB before install of the bracket itself). Headsets, on the other hand, can be press fit as with my King HS, they almost always outlive the bike. It seems the more the industry screws around with something the more problems they generate. And with the HS/BB comparison, the BB gets far more wear and tear and is more likely to need replacing. And even with a threaded BB, if the bearings wear out they are easy enough to replace, if you actually can with your model. I think the real issue is the quality of the seals. My Hadley hubs have 12 years on them without a bearing replacement yet, and they are still smooth as silk. So long as nothing gets in I find that good bearings will last. But I could just be lucky. Or Hadley is that good (I have ordered another set on this fact). And hubs get just as much gunk about them as the BB does.