Experience with ISIS BB's? or XT

[Kneedowndean]

I'm building a bike for my missus, got the 2007 Epic in small and most of the bits. But the next choice is chainset. Cos she is small, 5ft 1", I'm planning on using 165mm cranks. So my choice comes down to M760 XT with integrated BB or Middleburn. But the only Middleburn I've spotted at the min is ISIS, I've heard lots of bad things about ISIS. Its also going to prove much more expensive if I go middleburn, you can get a complete XT set with rings and BB for £125, but middleburn will probably cost nearer £200. Worth it? Whats the view on ISIS, or should I just stick with XT?

 

[suburbanreuben]

I;ve been running a Race Face Isis bb for the last 3 years without probs. Bought 2nd hand, it was already a few years old. Just needed new bearings.
I have 3 other FSA Isis BBs. No probs yet...

 

[cyfa2809]

i dont have any problems with my truvatv giga pipe isis bb. the hussefelt cranks however :evil: i have heard that the hollow tech/x type type cranks are good. lighter, less things to go wrong :?

 

[Augustus]

Bought into ISIS at the beginning. after two years and five bb's ranging from el cheapo FSA to Ti Raceface, I gave up. One wouldn't even turn 360deg when screwed in on the same frame that a sq taper un52 bb worked fine on.

I wouldn't go back personally. But that's just my experience.

as ugly as they are I do find the hollowtech II shimano systems work very well.

 

[Kneedowndean]

mmmmmmm, I think I shall err towards the Shimano. For the reliability, faultless shifting and all for less money got to be the way forward. Thanks all.

 

[barry2017]

Don't overlook square taper!

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s109p2000

Very nicely finished, and available shorter.

 

[hamster]

The problem of all those fat axled BBs was that the bearings had to be undersized to make space for the axle. As a result the bearings had short brutal lives. Octalink didn't exactly get a golden reputation for durability either...

Going external solved the bearing size problem, but instead put them where lots of filth washed over them... :roll:

BB30 looks like a sensible way forward, provided the whole thing will standardise... :?