When Shimano went from the UN73 to the UN74 a couple of years ago, Madison decided not to import the UN74 to the UK. You could find them for sale in the US at that point, but I don't think you can now. Whether Shimano still make them I don't know, but I can't find anybody selling them.hamster":2fcn4kvv said:
Cartridge bottom brackets, the truth ?
- Thread starter silverclaws
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silverclaws":neqs2qkl said:
The LP30 (presumably the LP stands for Low Price - or Load of Poo) was Shimano's bottom of the range BB at the time. It wasn't sealed anywhere near as well as the UN series. I've seen loads of these BBs and all of them have worn out a lot quicker than the higher range ones. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for...
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UN90 taken out of my bike for the first time a week ago, still running smooth as buttery.
silverclaws
Senior Retro Guru
My first Saracen, the one I bought new, that one had a UN71 in it, if I remember correctly, to go with the rest of the XT hardware. I know it was defo a UN71, because I took it out for a good clean after one particularly muddy trek through peaty water and mud up near Malham, the stuff got everywhere and I couldn't quite get the stuff out of the BB recess without jet washing, so I took it out and scooped the crap out. The bike then, was a 92 model of the Traverse elite. What I have now, is a 93 or 94 Tufftrax elite with altus on it, when I remember the bike that got me into Saracen, was a lovely grey Tufftrax with Magura brakes, far better than this thing I have now, I think there was an E stay cycle there too, but I did'nt like it's paint job, so I did not take much notice of it.
Iwasgoodonce
Old School Grand Master
I had one fitted at our sponsor's shop when at university. I remember asking for an XT one and it is still there. I dread it wearing out as it has probably welded itself in there good by now. That must have been 93 I reckon.
Best BB I've ever had / have is my Suntour XC Pro Grease Guard. It was fitted in my Rocky in '92 (just 'cause it was in the shop and was cooler than the plain suntour one I had) – maintenance consists of squirting some new grease in there every now and then and watching the dirty grease ooze out. Still spun like new when I took it out to repaint the frame. The bearings (loose ball) were still mirror shiny, as were the cups and the axle.
Real top quality stuff
That said I've got shimano sealed BBs that are still going strong after 15 years abuse so I guess it's a case of pay your money, make your choice.
Personally I'd go with something like Hope or Royce, if you can afford it as I believe the bearings are replaceable – like hubs are
Real top quality stuff
That said I've got shimano sealed BBs that are still going strong after 15 years abuse so I guess it's a case of pay your money, make your choice.
Personally I'd go with something like Hope or Royce, if you can afford it as I believe the bearings are replaceable – like hubs are
Piers
Retro Guru
I've found Shimano sealed B/B units to be good. Last for ages (don't blast them with a hose) and not expensive.
Octalink are 'nice' too, but loads of friends with ISIS have had nowt but trouble.
The newer extermal bearing jobbies are OK and, if you can be bothered, you can replace the bearings - BETD will do it for you too.
Octalink are 'nice' too, but loads of friends with ISIS have had nowt but trouble.
The newer extermal bearing jobbies are OK and, if you can be bothered, you can replace the bearings - BETD will do it for you too.
Crayons":cs7o75pf said:
I didn't have one of these but I did get the kit that converted my XT one to use a grease port. Best thing I did. Then I sold the bike with it in.
Crayons":cs7o75pf said:
Don't they have a guarantee that they won't wear out in 10 years or something?
hondamatic
Dirt Disciple
Ahhh, I like creek crossings too much, I used to pressure-wash bikes and I'll ride no matter how horrible it is out. That's why my '99 is on its' fourth BB.
I've gotten two and a half years out of a used UN52. Absolutely no regrets about how it worked, especially for the (very low, LX-level) asking price. (Cambriabike.com has UN-53's and UN-54's listed for $20 USD.)
For the Hollowtech stuff, I got three years out of a Deore ES-50 and I've stepped up to an ES-71. (Functionally, even the Deore Hollowtechs are so much lighter and stiffer than the older Shimano cranks, even if they kill the "retro" look. You can get a new set of Deore hollowtechs for less than re-ringing the old!)
The Race Face Evolve BB on my old Reign really sucked. It got really crunchy after a wet ride - almost seized on me. There weren't even creek crossings that ride. The $300 external crank BB seized when/where my $20 Shimano's wouldn't have!
I've gotten two and a half years out of a used UN52. Absolutely no regrets about how it worked, especially for the (very low, LX-level) asking price. (Cambriabike.com has UN-53's and UN-54's listed for $20 USD.)
For the Hollowtech stuff, I got three years out of a Deore ES-50 and I've stepped up to an ES-71. (Functionally, even the Deore Hollowtechs are so much lighter and stiffer than the older Shimano cranks, even if they kill the "retro" look. You can get a new set of Deore hollowtechs for less than re-ringing the old!)
The Race Face Evolve BB on my old Reign really sucked. It got really crunchy after a wet ride - almost seized on me. There weren't even creek crossings that ride. The $300 external crank BB seized when/where my $20 Shimano's wouldn't have!
