Easy-fit BB30 adapters from Wheels Manufacturing and Enduro

8 comments
By James Huang, technical editor | Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 8.40am

Riders looking to fit their favourite set of Shimano-standard external-bearing cranks on their BB30-equipped frames now have two easy retrofit options.

Both press directly into the existing bearings so that users can still enjoy the longevity benefits of the oversized cartridges.

Wheels Manufacturing's BB30 shims are simple Delrin reducers that add just 47g to the system. Compared to aluminium, the Delrin is not only lighter but also inherently resistant to creaking. 

"In a nutshell, they are simply pressed into the existing BB30 bearings (6806) and then you install your Shimano (Race Face as well) cranks per the manufacturers specs," said Wheels Manufacturing general manager Dan DePaemelaere. 

"If you ever want to install a true BB30 crank, simply press them out and you’re good to go. I actually raced these all last year in a BB30 frame that Joe [Dan's brother and one-man operation behind framebuilding outfit Primus Mootry] built me and they have been flawless."

Suggested retail price for the Wheels Manufacturing reducers is just US$29 (approx £18), and DePaemelaere says a SRAM/Truvativ version is nearly completed, too.

Enduro's new adapters are more elaborate bits made from machined and laser-etched 6061 aluminium. Like the Wheels Manufacturing units, they press directly into the existing bearings but include their own low-friction silicone rubber contact seals for additional protection from dirt and water contamination. 

Creaking is kept at bay with O-rings placed in between the crankset spindle and inner diameter of the adapters. Suggested retail is around US$35 (approx £22).

Enduro's new adapters allow the fitting of your favorite shimano-standard external-bearing cranks into bb30 bottom brackets:

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User Comments

There are 8 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 comments

  • I'd stay away from Enduro bearings if durability is a concern though, they wear out very fast!

  • looks like bb30 is a fail then!

  • I wouldn't so much say BB30 is a fail, it's like any new system... it often takes years to implement. For those that have their heart set on a new frame that runs BB30, but are already spending possibly thousands, they may not want to buy themselves a new crankset.

  • Hey, Dan: As a development partner and direct online retailer of Enduro products, we sell a lot of Enduro bearings. We have a very small percentage of warranty claims. We are extremely generous in our warranty policy. In addition to supplying replacement product in the rare cases where problems occur, we are usually able to determine the cause of prolem and help the customer to remedy the situation and avoid future problems. If you have had a problem and not been taken care of, please contact me at chris@realworldcycling.com. We'll be glad to help you. In the meantime, posts that generally slam a product are not really helpful or fair.

  • Well said Chris.

    Dan, I'm assuming it's BB bearings you're referring to here. Is your frame faced sufficiently, if at all? I have seen countless high end BBs, including XTR, Raceface and Hope ceramics fail because of this. Look into it.

  • Chris2fur: Sorry for that but I have had durability issues with Enduro bearings in BB and hubs and I have seen many people with the same issues, more people seem to have durability problems than people who don't with Enduro. I'll get in touch...

    Julian: you don't face BB30 frames, it would be pointless since the bearings are pressed inside, not screwed against the side of the BB shell.

  • Dan, thanks for the email. You should have received my response by now. Having noticed your new comment above, I have to say I'm surprised by the contrast between your email (very straightforward with a specific problem that I could address) and the latest comment (general, exaggerated). Comments such as "more people seem to have durability problems than people who don't with Enduro" are really over the top. Enduro would be out of business if this were true. I love working in this business, but sometimes it can be discouraging working so hard to provide and support top quality products only to have somebody come along and take a cheap shot with the potential to undermine all of that hard work.

  • Dan, the way you worded your orginal statement implied that you've never used BB30, and so that led me to beleive you'd be running an external system. ;)

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