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Review: BBinfinite’s one-piece PressFit30 bottom bracket for SRAM GXP

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review
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BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review

Bottom brackets are one of the things we all tend to abuse, neglect and forget about in the bike world. That is until it starts to make noise (and you can’t ignore it) or you buy another frame only to discover your crank/bb combo is incompatible with your new frame. For this review we will focus on the dreaded creaking noise from the Pressfit30 bottom bracket and all its cousins.

Like most things, necessity is the mother of invention and the guys at BBInfinite started their company after having issues with all the adapters necessary to use a Campagnolo crank with the PFBB386 bottom bracket on one of the founder’s bikes. Fast forward from that original project to making bottom brackets for friends by using a hand lathe, then to a successful Kickstarter campaign and finally BBInfinite was born. Their latest is the GXP specific model, reviewed here, which securely fits a SRAM GXP crankset into a PFBB30 frame…

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket test rides

Tech nerds should click over to the technology section of BBInfinite’s website and check out all the videos and diagrams relating to issues with frame misalignment, bearing drag and premature bearing wear. These guys have a unique take on these issues and they set themselves apart from the other brands of BBs in the market place by housing both bearings in a single shell. This allows them to precisely control the placement of the bearings in relation to each other, ensuring perfect alignment between the bearings, regardless of any frame misalignment. Having been a victim of a poorly aligned frame and the subquent destruction of the bearings on my Campagnolo Record cranks I can attest to what happens when things are misaligned by as little at 1/1000th of an inch.

More recently, I was having issues with the Delrin Pressfit30 adapter cups on my Niner JET9. So I jumped at the chance to try the BBInfinite unit, which also included fancy ceramic bearings (bonus!).

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review and actual weights
Each BBinfinite bottom bracket includes everything you need to install except a BB/Headset press.

The install process is very easy using the included tools. Grab your favorite beverage, sit down, read the simple directions first (and check out the install video). If you do not own or have access to a headset press then take the time and spend the coin to have a reputable shop press the BB into your frame. Remember, this is all about accuracy – a hammer and a block of wood does not cut it here. Don’t be that guy, do it right and you will be rewarded with a smooth, quiet BB for years to come (Tyler rocked his on his ‘cross bike for several seasons, only pulling it off because he had to test other stuff).

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review and instructions

The graphic-heavy instructions are concise and easy to follow.

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review

Make sure to clean any dirt or grease from this area.

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review

Notice the light-duty thread lock on the non-drive side of the BB. There is also some inside the frame on the drive side.

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review

Installation was very easy, so how does it ride? Did it measure up to the claims and quiet the creaking PF30 monster that lives in my frame?

Yes. The monster has been vanquished and the battle for a quiet bottom bracket has been won! After a summer of abuse the bottom bracket still spins just as freely as the day it was installed. I wish I had more to say, but it’s pretty simple really: There’s no more creaking, the cranks spin light and smooth and fast, and I’ve had zero problems. It’s a helluva upgrade over the plastic-sleeved stock pressfit bottom brackets out there. Sure, there are upgrades that add more bling to your bike, but few will offer the peace of mind and performance upgrade this one does.

BBinfinite GXP pressfit one-piece bottom bracket review and actual weights
I know, ounces, right?

Weight for the BB is 5.0oz (141g). Retail is $205 for the CeramiTech model ($150 with ABEC7 steel bearings) and is available in both black and red. Since the bottom bracket is removable and reusable, an extraction tool is available separately.

BBinfinite.com

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11 Comments
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tyler
tyler
7 years ago

big +1 for BBinfinite BBs. All i use in my bikes. Never had a problem. still spin better than anything ive ever seen, and they do so on regular, non ceramic bearings.

TheKaiser
TheKaiser
7 years ago

What keeps these things from slowly uninstalling themselves from pedalling and bump loads, or quickly uninstalling themselves if the bike falls on the left side? Is it just that little bit of locktite on the drive side frame interface?

Rod Diaz
Rod Diaz
7 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

That’s the “press” part of press fit. Instead of the cups being pressed in from both sides, a single unit housing all the bearings is pressed in – I assume it goes in “hard” on the wide bits and easy in the middle. The moderate locking compound is to ensure no creaking

Greg
Greg
7 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

Loctite is on both sides. They just tell you to apply it to the bb on the right and the frame on the left because otherwise, during installation one side would wipe off the other side’s Loctite.
You’d need rim tacoing lateral loads to push it out while riding. Requires an air hammer to remove.

Seraph
Seraph
7 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

Not sure how a complete bearing set is going to fully uninstall itself when there’a crankset running through it…

Doug
Doug
7 years ago

I could write lots. Had mine for two years. Spins perfect and no issues. Completely as advertised. Just follow their excellent install videos.

I even got a chance to speak to Gary. Great group.

Rey Bingham
Rey Bingham
7 years ago

Okay, I’ll be that guy. . .threaded bottom bracket shells. Never been anything wrong with them. As much as industry people made fun of ISIS, I have a 9 year old FSA model in my town bike that I’ve put thousands of wet coast city and mountain miles on (bike’s been a few different bikes over the years with the same crank) and it’s still quiet. To say nothing of a square-taper Campy bb.

Dylan
Dylan
7 years ago
Reply to  Rey Bingham

Never liked internal BBs, particularly not ISIS – wore out quickly, and cranks wouldn’t come loose. External threaded BBs were mostly OK, but had a Truvative unit and Raceface unit seize up after wet riding – replaced with Enduro bearings and then lasted well. On the other hand, I agree with your comment re old fashioned square taper. Only pulled the original 1990 Shimano DX bb off my commuter a couple of years ago when changing the whole group set over. Must have at least 40k km on it and still runs smooth.
FWIW I also have Shimano pressfit bearings in my 2013 Giant mtb, and not had any problems yet.

Carl
Carl
7 years ago

Looks to be a worthwhile system. It seems to accomplish the same goal as many thread-together pressfit BBs (Wheels Mfg., Praxis…) while eliminating the alignment issues even those might present.

Bottom line is any system that doesn’t require precise frame alignment to work right is best.

Cherk Chup
7 years ago

Sounds like a good stuff. I’d happily take T47 or BSA tho.

Kerry Swick
Kerry Swick
3 years ago

The product itself is a good concept and makes sense. I recently purchased a BB from BBinfinite and everything was just fine until it was not. Their customer service is terrible at best. Everything was an argument, and they are quick to place the blame on other components. My problem was the drive side bearings developed a click after 2766.85 miles. I received no respect from the vendor and if I had not invested as much money as I did in the solution, I would have yanked it all out and threw it away. I give them a 1 for customer service, just bad news.

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