After buying some faceface diabolus cranks 3 years ago, i've ended up routinely replacing my BB every 6-9 months with the raceface gold ones.

Last time (3 months ago) I tried a superstar £20 one – and that's just seized 🙁

Are the hope bbs worth the extra cost over the RF and superstar?

Yes, I think so.
Mine has lasted 18 months, and is just now in need of a new set of bearings…

my XT hollowtech lasted me 8 months of regular peaks riding – i just cleaned and regreased every so often.

Megatron – are you using the stainless steel bearings or ceramic?

XT: £27 @JE James

Yes, my SS version has just done it's 2nd strathpuffer (with a season of 24hr, enduro and xc racing in between) and is as smooth as the day it was first fitted.

No special treatment, just cleaned along with the rest of the bike. Ace.

my ceramic ones seem to be doing ok

+1 Ceramic about 18 months old, perfect.

HTII?

the trick to a long life is regular greasing. I'd recomend having a spare and regreasing/ swapping them every 4-6 weeks. I did this last year and they lasted ages. stopped doing it and they've all worn out quickly!!

XT also £27 at CRC. The new XT ones are much better sealed than the 1st generation ones, IME.

if you only ride twice a year then i'd just get a superstar one for 20 notes innit. 8)

i think the problem you may be having is due to the cranks, i used to have a set of deus cranks that ate BB's for breakfaast.

the trick with race face setups is that the BB has to be perfectly faced, and you have to make sure your using the correct number of nylon washers on the crank axle. Personally i was cheap, and tried removing a washer to stop the bearings from being squeezed.

2 years later the BB is still going… although admitedly it was switched over to an xt crankset just before xmas… but still, check your not side loding your bearings when you install reinstlal the crank on a new BB.

on a erious note spraying gt85/wd40 into the seals dunt help, as it disperses the grease and **** up the bearings quick time.

if you only ride twice a year then i'd just get a superstar one for 20 notes innit.

Not that much use to me as I'm on the bike most weekends.

You're not speaking from experience are you? 😉

ha ha, on the bike – what, the Ninja!? 😆

i'll leave you alone now mate, i really should do some work.

johnny should be on the rune next weekend if you fancy it – you can kip at mine sat night if you want

laterz

on a erious note spraying gt85/wd40 into the seals dunt help, as it disperses the grease and **** up the bearings quick time.

I already knew that, I've got a mate who sprayed his pivot bearings with GT85 after every ride. Needless to say he learnt the hard way.

Mine's still really smooth after 8 months of Peaks grit. But I do take the cranks off and clean/regrease it perhaps every 4th ride or so.

But remember that once you've got it, new bearings are cheaper than a new XT BB.

mine was going well but has recently developed a grinding/squeaking noise after commuting in the bad weather this last couple of weeks. seems the road salt has got in places it shouldnt. hopefully a clean and lube should sort it out.

Got a SS one and think it's worth it.

dizcostix I'm using the stainless steel one – its only just gone, with a bit of grit in the non-drive side, the drive side is still fine.

it's been on a singlespeed with xt cranks if that's any use??