[Closed] Is there really a difference (apart from colour) between shimano BB's?

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Well my XTR has lasted long than 2 of my LX ones so?

xtr have smoother (higher quality) bearings, and are a bit lighter, allegedly 😉
no idea about deore,slx,xt

Tiagra = £12.99 😉

ah, it's MisterP not MrP.

if you believe there is no difference buy deore.

SLX and XT are the exact same bracket.

If you are talking external BBs.. XTR i was told is a different width and not compatible with the other chainsets (or maybe the other way round).

But looking at part numbers and asking Madison (?) then it was confirmed the only difference between the XT, LX, Deore (whatever) is colour.

Hmm my XT HT2 has been fine since Feb 07!

But looking at part numbers and asking Madison (?) then it was confirmed the only difference between the XT, LX, Deore (whatever) is colour.

I just fitted an XT/SLX to one bike and a Deore to another and they have noticably different seals (the tophat shaped thingy). Also the LX had tons of green grease visible - XT hardly any. Dunno about XTR.

Oh well. Thats what the bloke over the phone said.

I hope you didn't get that information from Madison ads-b. All of the MTB external BBs are the same size, even XTR.

Hmm, I asked because I have been using XTR for the last few years because the dark colour scheme matches my bikes (to be totally honest!), and I have now gone through 4 or 5 bears in that time (and yes all my bikes have the bottom brackets faced)

Having searched the internet, there seems little info on bearing differences...

...Recently tried Hope on one of my bikes, and it is still spinning beautifully.

This could get confusing, can I have my name back please?

I'd pay for more durability, which relates primarily to bearing sealing.

I wouldn't be surprised if the seals were the same on all shimano BB bearings, they are bought in are they not?

Phoned up Madison to check as was having the same dilema last year some time. Think thats what I was told.

Is the BB width different between Ultegra and Dura Ace? I might be getting confused.

Ignore me, now i'm confused, not even sure what i'm talking about now.

Aaaaarrrgh!!!!! See when people say "but my bottom bracket has been okay since 2007" all it proves is you don't cycle enough or you have too many bikes. It rips my knitting when people judge kit longevity by time instead of miles and conditions.

Rant over.....

I've been using my Shimano LX (cheapest AFAIK) HTII BB for a few years now and its still running very smooth. Granted I don't do as much mileage as others here may, but I'd say it does fine.

@ Waderider- I've had my Deore one for two years now. Its still like the day i bought it........ in the box 😆

get the deore or get something actually posh-king with the tool or a phil wood

ok, and what about the difference between the road and mountain versions?
Am assuming it is a bearing thing again, but no blurb i can find to tell me the difference...

road and mtb are different widths but as to bearings ive no idea

my deore one - on a faced bb shell

lasted one weekend in wales, one weekend in the peaks and 1 ride at woburn b4 sezing

the peaks weekend was hub deep puddles in a lot of places

why are the bearings in my proIIs able to cope but the bb ones cant handle it?

i had a similar life from my deore, gone with another because too skint to afford a king but im saving up for one..

My SLX one has been in 2 different frames over the last 2 years, it's been ridden through all sorts of shite, mud and water and has only just started creaking - should be good for a few more miles yet 😀