Everything old is new again. PressFit frames still offer some benefits like allowing for wider chainstays and more tire clearance, but as we’ve learned along the way not all frames are created equal. A fault of sloppy tolerances at least according to some frame manufacturers, certain frames develop a creak that just won’t go away. At least, not without something new in the BB shell.
In order to offer a solution that was more durable than the plastic cups and had a way of staying tight in the frame, bottom bracket manufacturers like Wheels Manufacturing have started offering BBs with durable aluminum bodies which thread together in the center. Perfect for PF frames old and new, Wheels Manufacturing is offering a special deal to Bikerumor readers this weekend that’s worth $50 off any Premium Zero Ceramic bottom bracket so you can try one for yourself…
Machined in the USA with an aluminum threaded two piece shell, Wheels offers threaded PF bottom brackets for PF30 Outboard, BB30 Outboard, BB86/92 (above), and Cervelo BBright. Outside of the threaded PF BBs, Wheels covers the complete bottom bracket spectrum with BB30, Specialized OSBB, BSA Threaded, FSA 386 Evo, Trek BB90/95, Cannondale BB30a, and even Eccentric BB adapters. That’s a lot of bottom brackets in a lot of options, but Wheels makes it pretty easy to figure out the exact model you need with onsite customer support.
Specific to the deal for Bikerumor, Wheels Manufacturing is featuring their premium Zero Ceramic Hybrid bearings which uses USA made ceramic balls and steel races. Using grade 3, Silicon Nitride ball bearings with black oxide coated steel races, the production process includes grinding the races to a perfect finish and a cryogenic treatment to ensure long term race durability. Rated overall at ABEC-5, the bearings use a dual lip Silicone seal and Rheolube synthetic grease. In layman’s terms, they spin incredibly freely and are durable enough to include a 1 year warranty.
Wheels Manufacturing sent us the PF86/92 Zero Ceramic to use on an upcoming build on a frame with a PF92 bottom bracket. The same bottom bracket covers both sizes and includes all of the necessary spacers, shims, seals, and wave washer to install it on either frame standard. Available in either Shimano compatible 24mm or SRAM compatible with 22/24mm bores, the SRAM compatible BB above comes in at 96g. Wheels Manufacturing also offers the same bottom brackets only with Angular Contact bearings for $99, though they are not included in the current deal.
The one thing to consider if you plan on purchasing the Outboard threaded PF bottom brackets specifically, is that you will most likely need a new bottom bracket tool to install it. Using the same notch size as the FSA MegaEvo BBs, the Wheels Manufacturing BB is 48.5mm in diameter with 16 notches (note that there are multiple 16 notch bottom bracket sizes with different diameters) . For my money, your best bet would be something like the Abbey Bike Tools BSA 30 BB Socket. At $60 it’s a bit more expensive than single tools for the large 16 notch BBs, but you’re also getting a 12 notch tool on the other side for Race Face, Rotor, Praxis and Zipp bottom brackets. You’ll probably need it at some point, so might as well get them both in one go.
If you’re interested, you have until Sunday at Midnight (the 12th) to head over to wheelsmfg.com and purchase one of the Premium Zero Ceramic Hybrid Bottom Brackets for $125. The coupon code ‘FASTERBB’ is worth $50 off the standard price of $175. Valid on any Premium Zero Ceramic Hybrid Bottom Bracket in their catalog, and limit 1 BB per order.
