Shimano BB Advice?

Okay, my last two BB (for AM riding) have been the $20 Shimano BB51 Deore Bottom Bracket, I've not been spectacularly impressed by the 6 month lifespan, just wondering if it is worth it to model up to the $40 XT or look at the Race Face's options or…

IMO it is always worth going to XT (for all components) if you have the cash. My XT has been going strong for a year, I just rebuilt the bike and it was still smooth.
Cheers Ben

Is that an Octalink bb?

If so:
You can get a Hollowtech2 Deore crank with BB for cheap!

If properly installed you´ll never (ok, maybe not never, but in the lifespan of your frame) hassle with your bb again. They are THAT much better.

If you want the best lifespan, get a no name ceramic BB from ebay. I've had one for three years and it is still flawless which is about 2 1/2 years longer than anything else I've had such as race face, XT or saint. I now have one on all three of my bikes. I think they are about $60 or $70 so significantly cheaper than brand name ceramics.

Is that an Octalink bb?

If so:
You can get a Hollowtech2 Deore crank with BB for cheap!

If properly installed you´ll never (ok, maybe not never, but in the lifespan of your frame) hassle with your bb again. They are THAT much better.

bb51, external bb

i've had good luck with xtr, doesn't cost that much more and lasts much longer than xt (which is still better than the new raceface stuff). haven't tried no-name ceramic stuff, might make sense in our wet climate, as long as the race is a high-quality stainless alloy or similar.

If you want the best lifespan, get a no name ceramic BB from ebay. I've had one for three years and it is still flawless which is about 2 1/2 years longer than anything else I've had such as race face, XT or saint. I now have one on all three of my bikes. I think they are about $60 or $70 so significantly cheaper than brand name ceramics.

Got a link for that?

I kill the XT bearing sets every 6 to 9 months. Put King BBs on a couple bikes, and they've lasted a couple years.
While pedalling the other day I just noticed I have a little bit of wiggle in one of them, and took a good look. Bearings are fine, but the plastic spacer that's between the bearings and crank spindle is slightly worn. Contacted them because of the King warranty, and they said that the plastic bit is now considered a wear item, and can be purchased separately. Not a big issue, but I like how the Hope BB doesn't use plastic spacers, and may pick one up for the next build for a comparison.

I have been extremely happy with the longevity of the SLX bb that came on my bike. It has lasted 2.5 seasons so far and is just now in need of replacement.

Hope or Chris King… have two Hopes, one with stainless bearings, one with ceramic and they are smooth and trouble free… my Chris King lasted 3 seasons until the bearings developed some play…still works fine though.

You might also want to have a shop face the shell to ensure that it is square. You guys that blow through bb's fast might just need a facing job. Not necessarily but it can't hurt.

Got a link for that?

Here's one that I recently got (in Sram version - but this thread is about Shimano so I have linked to that)
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Brand-New-Alero-Ceramic-Bearings-bottom-brackets-BB-For-Shimano-MTB-Green-/151041860995?pt=US_Bottom_Brackets[HTML_REMOVED]hash=item232acbe583

And here's another that's only in Shimano and I've had one for a few years and it's still as good as new. I now have another on my V10
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/GUB-Ceramic-Bearing-Bottom-Bracket-BB-68-73mm-for-Shimano-FSA-Raceface-Gold-/170909763910?pt=US_Bottom_Brackets[HTML_REMOVED]hash=item27cb040946