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Press-fit Bottom Brackets Are BETTER Than Threaded

BikeRadar

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Press-fit bottom brackets are better than threaded ones. That may horrify you, but allow Simon Bromley, BikeRadar’s Senior Technical Writer, to make the case for press-fit systems.

After a decade or so of press-fit bottom brackets being the dominant system on high-end road bikes, there has – to almost universal acclaim – been a notable return to threaded bottom brackets in the last few years.

Specialized ditched its press-fit OSBB 61 bottom bracket standard in 2020 in favour of a traditional BSA threaded bottom bracket on the Tarmac SL7. Even Cannondale recently specced a BSA threaded bottom bracket on its 2022 Synapse endurance road bike.

It’s hard to find many who’ll stick their neck out for press-fit these days.

Perhaps controversially, we think that despite the often reported difficulties of press-fit bottom bracket systems, we should pause for thought before we consign them to Room 101.

What do you think? Are press- fit bottom brackets an elegant engineering solution? Or are you threaded through and through? Let us know in the comments!

Simon's article on BikeRadar.com
→ https://www.bikeradar.com/features/op...

Raoul Luescher’s video on Press-fit Bottom Brackets:
→ Press Fit is Better!

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→ https://www.bikeradar.com/bikeradar-p...

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#PressFit #BottomBracketStandards #BikeRadar

20 Comments

@bikeradar Creator 4 years ago Pinned

Press-fit or threaded? 👇

@ktakashismith 4 years ago

I'm still laughing at Hambini's comment about Cannondale switching to threaded BB's being "an admission that they can't manufacture a round hole".

@paulhyland4653 4 years ago (edited)

As a bike mechanic I prefer to work on thread bbs. Far less hassle

@Graean1 4 years ago

It’s only better if the manufacturer is capable of manufacturing them to adequate tolerances. The vast majority of manufacturers have proved time and time again that they aren’t.

@NCrdwlf 4 years ago

The real problem is lack of QC in frame sets . I see huge inconsistencies within a brand and model . One bike will be fine , the next one , same make and model a damn disaster that ends up going back ( after a prolonged fight with the rep ) " our bikes are all in spec "

@hawgietonight 4 years ago

PF was a good idea on paper. Execution was (and is) the problem. My current bike had, among other requirements, to have a threaded bb.

@thegrowl2210 4 years ago (edited)

I watched the parktool video for how to take apart a pressfit bottom bracket, got half way through, and immediately thought that pressfit was introduced to keep bike mechanics in a job.

@paulr7602 4 years ago

Interesting, I've always had issues with press fit BB's and surprisingly never had an issue with threaded. Pressfit BB are not worth the headaches IMO. I will never own a pressfit bike again. I ride because I enjoy riding no pressfit BB is worth the time, or weight saving and hassle of the constant hassle. Cheers

@andiep3854 4 years ago

I saw this thread at the bottom and pressed it to see what all the bracket was about.

@GokkunGuru 4 years ago

Threaded is more user friendly if you remove the BB often. PF requires special tools and I’m not sure if the frame can tolerate frequent install/removal of the BB.

@ivica7092 4 years ago (edited)

"when done right" it appears that's exactly what's impossible in Uber modern bicycle industry.

@stephen5shaw 4 years ago

The meme reference in the thumbnail is to die for, kudos to y’all

@cliffsangelsphotography 4 years ago

I had a PF on my Trek Procaliber; creaked every other month. My Ibis Ripley has Chris King threaded BB; its been 5 years without service and still running strong

@danc1829 4 years ago

Press Fit has never been the issue.

Press fit is VERY reliable and used in vehicle engines and hubs etc...

The issue is the manufacturers that can't make a round hole.

@markowsley4954 4 years ago

Not only am I old school but old enough to remember when my top of the line Dura Ace crankset was on a square tapered bottom bracket. I never had issues with it or the steel frame it was in. The silence was golden. I will never have a creaking carbon frame and press fit bottom bracket. The press fit bearing used in the automotive and motorcycle industry are pressed into highly machined metal not crappy quality control carbon frames.

@joejoe8948 4 years ago

So wait, you’re saying these frames selling for $3,000-$7,000 don’t have tight tolerances? But I could have sworn these manufacturers promised us these are super duper exotic frames made with tolerance levels on the same level as F1 cars and the space shuttle.

@chriscope3522 4 years ago

It has been proven by many engineers on multiple occasions that Mass Produced bicycle frames do not maintain the tolerances needed for a secure and trouble free Press Fit BB solution. Customs, one offs, sure. Not mass production. So, unless you're planning to change the industry in some way to make them increase QC on BB tolerances...

THREADED WINS EVERY TIME!

@gadgetHagen 4 years ago

I don't buy the weight argument - the Specialized S-Works Athos frame has a threaded BB and is one of the lightest frames out there. I had problem with press-fit BBs and fixed it by getting a BB shell that threads together in the middle. And yes, more QC could probably adjust some of the issues. But that could then increase prices for frames because the yield is lower.

@323johnnybravo 4 years ago

The press fit on my old specialized has always been a creak machine. Threaded on the Santa Cruz has been a dream.

@celeste_kr 4 years ago

Even Cannondale, which developed the Press-Fit BB Shell system, recently dropped it. They confessed to the limitations of it. Threaded was the answer.