Bikeradar gallery

Sea Otter: 2009 bikes herald crank design revolution

BH's top-end G4 was proudly hanging from a scale at Sea Otter.

  • It may be sooner rather than later that the BB30 standard replaces threaded shells.
  • The bottom bracket itself is simple. FSA comprises just bearings, snap rings & spacers.
  • Cannondale was the first to use BB30 but it now looks like a pioneer not a technical outlier
  • Among the BB30 adopters is Jamis who showed off a BB30-equipped sample of its Xenith SL road frame.
  • The shell is larger, but bore tolerances will still need to be tight for good bearing life.
  • The BB30 shell is 68mm wide and contains the bearings, so pedal spacing can be brought back down.
  • Kona showed off this BB30-equipped full-suspension machine.
  • The larger diameter shell won't allow for the broad down tubes & wide chain stays of some designs
  • Van Dessel jumped aboard with its updated Rivet carbon road frame & Gin & Trombones 'cross bike.
  • Jamis also took BB30 off-road with this version of its popular Dakota.
  • FSA is 100 percent on board with BB30 and will offer seven compatible models next year.
  • Mountain bike versions will have a threaded collar for preload; road versions use a wave washer.
  • FSA also displayed a BMX crankset that complied with the BB30 standard.
  • BH wasn't at the BB30 presentation but this Connect frame proved it's playing with the idea, too.
  • BH's top-end G4 was proudly hanging from a scale at Sea Otter.
  • And what did it weigh, you wonder? Not much.
  • The G4 is also set to get even lighter courtesy of a new seatpost clamp designed by Rotor.
  • Cannondale highlighted the effectiveness of integrated system design with its new Rize trail bike.
  • The overall suspension layout is roughly similar to that of the Scalpel.
  • The upper shock mount is bonded to the top tube.
  • Asymmetrical chain stays are joined by a substantial-looking bridge.
  • The Cannondale Moto offers 160mm of travel but supposedly weighs under 13.6kg (30.0lb).
  • The Moto's carbon front triangle deserves much of the credit for the impressively light weight.
  • The single pivot rear triangle is made of welded aluminum.
  • The linkage is cleverly designed such that the carbon frame is always in tension, not compression.
  • The team-issued MonaVie Cannondale Scalpel is decked out & ready to roll.
  • Titus brought its Isogrid concept off-road with this sharp-looking prototype.
  • The top & down tubes are titanium & carbon fiber, internally reinforced for strength & rigidity
  • Titus is also playing with BB30 on this prototype.
  • An integrated seatmast is an odd feature on a mountain bike, but it looks trick & might save weight
  • Convertible dropouts make for easy use in fixed or geared applications.
  • The upsized head tube is fitted with an FSA internal cup-style headset.
  • Titus also displayed an Exogrid-equipped TRX 'cross bike.
  • This one was a carbon-steel hybrid though titanium Exogrid & straight titanium will be available
  • The small-diameter steel tubes make for plenty of room out back.
  • There's lots of clearance here for mud to squeeze through.

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BH's top-end G4 was proudly hanging from a scale at Sea Otter.

© James Huang