You can always count on Enduro Bearings to have exciting products for the true bicycle nerd in your life, and this Sea Otter did not disappoint. With all of the crazy frame designs and standards out there these days, working on bikes can be a challenge if you don’t have the right tools – especially if you’re traveling. That’s why Enduro has come up with a new Multi Press bearing tool that allows you to work on just about everything with a compact, modular bearing press kit.
Sold as a modular threaded rod kit, each has a hex fitting on the end that allow the BBT-021 handles to be snapped onto each rod. This way you only have to carry one set of handles that will work with all three lengths of press rods. There’s also an 8mm hex fitting on the end if you need more torque than the handles provide.
The different length rods allow you to do small tasks like replacing the bearings in a short suspension link, or large tasks like installing a headset. The addition of the hex fitting also means that you can use an open ended wrench to turn the tool in cases where you can’t fit one or both handles.
The tools will be compatible with Enduro’s bearing drifts which are available in just about every size imaginable. They haven’t worked out pricing yet, but you’ll be able to piece everything together so you don’t have to buy everything all at once.
In other Enduro tool news, their bottom bracket tool has been updated to work with DUB bottom brackets which means you’ll be able to service them in the future without just throwing them away.
The DUB theme continues with new DUB compatible bottom brackets. But instead of adding a plastic sleeve to the center of a standard 30mm i.d. bearing, Enduro created their own bearings with a thicker metal center race to size it down to the appropriate 28.99mm diameter. This will make for a more durable bearing in the long run and is available in most of their bottom brackets including the DRF Dual Row Flange bottom bracket for PF86/92 frames.
If you’re not familiar with this one, the DRF bottom brackets use two sealed bearings side by side for increased durability since the PF86/92 bottom brackets tend to not be as durable with larger spindles thanks to the smaller ball size. Now you’ll be able to get the DRF BB for DUB cranks as well.
Elsewhere, the buzz word seemed to be XD-15. Used for years in their angular contact bearings, the XD-15 name refers to a “super stainless” steel with a higher nitrogen content for a more durable steel ball. In September, the news was that they were adding XD-15 material to their radial and 15° angular contact bottom brackets. Now, the news is XD-15 derailleur pulleys and suspension pivot bearings. For the derailleurs, the bearings have been fit to 11 speed pulleys for modern Shimano rear derailleurs. No plans for others just yet.
You’ll also find XD-15 in a full line of suspension pivot bearings which are notable because they don’t use any seals. Instead, the bearings are packed with grease and shields are placed over top. Pricing and availability of everything above is still TBD.