Just wondering what’s considered the best performance Vs £ version ?

For years I’ve used the traditional shimano BB, deore, XT and saint. To be fair isn’t a massive amount of difference between them when I’ve picked them apart – the odd extra or slightly better plastic seal.

However the later XT M800 (?) version with the smaller cups (use the provided BB tool insert), seems to later a lot longer.

Had an XT 8000 last 3 months and was replaced no quibble by CR within a couple of days and binned it as they didnt want it back. I was given another the same . I have an XTR in another bike which ‘seems’ to run smoother on the spin test . I do have 3 others on M8000’s though, so how the water got in the one that failed, I have no idea ( In eccentric BB shell, so must have entered the seals).
Must admit, as a whole for the cost, they are hard to beat.

For the mtb I like Saint as they’ve nice long inserts (or used to; it’s been a while since bought one)

Road bike, I think 105ish level is where I’ve stopped

Whichever one is going cheap, they all seem to last reasonably well these days.

Even race Face ones are ok now.

I recently bought an Uberbike stainless steel BB. It seems lovely. Plus the bearings are replaceable at only 15 quid. It seems really nice and smooth. Should last a decent while with proper care.

The plastic bearing covers are £4 each though if you damage them, mine is still going strong so I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, unless you’ve done it and know the covers can survive the bearing removal in one piece. That £15 can turn to £23. Impressive bottom bracket so far though.
XT used to be top dog when you could find them for £13 about a year or two ago, I think those days are long gone now thanks to Boris, but if you like blinging your bike up for a few quid extra uberbike wins.

XT for me. Keep the preload to a minimum
and they last for ever.

Chris King 😉

I’ve had a couple of hope BBs and replaced bearing on them, but in all honesty if it’s £/mile I reckon Shimano are better value, just a bit more throw away…