Hi, I have a 2004 Marin Rock Springs bought last year in a clearance sale. The original cheapo bottom bracket has given up the ghost so I'm thinking of an upgrade. Some bargains on Chain Reaction at the moment such as: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=669&ModelID=7251
Are these any good? Any advice gratefully received.
Cheers,
Simon

Hi
i have fitted one of these to a friends bike and its a nice bit of kit - the only proviso is that IMO the BB part is not that robust and the bearings may go quite quickly. You can get them replaced and upgraded by a number of fitters including Sidewayscycles

I have two sets of external bearing chainsets and one is today going to e replaced by Shimano Octalink as it is dead - though it was a Raceface

If you like the look - then they are fine if you accept the possibility of the bearing going sooner than you might expect

I think they're excellent, and personally haven't had any problems with premature bearing wear, but I do use XTR ones on my MTBs and Dura Ace on the road bike, they seem to be significantly better than the LX/XT cups from what people say about the latter.

Nick - in the nicest possible sense are you a lightweight - us heavy cousins seem to kill 'em

Aah yes, it could be related. I don't weigh much, and I don't ride particularly hard core stuff, but the one in my Titus has done Wales etc and ridden all over the country for nearly 18 months and is still perfect.

Lucky guy - I am 100kgs and my RF died in three wet rides after 5 months of dry use - in which time it loosened up and needed re spacing. When I mean died - seized completely - now running Sidewayscycles fitted bearing

My other RF - the axle is going west, and my light mate's RF X type BB has died in 6 months

Lightish weight mate's XT on way out - bearly any wet us in 6 months

My harder core bike is reverting to Octalink as of tomorrow

Thanks for the advice guys, I've ordered the LX Hollowtech II. Wish me luck!
Cheers,
Simon

Yeah from what I've seen the Race Face X-Type ones are shite, but are compatible with Shimano bearings.

The Truvativ GXP ones are even worse!

You'll be fine Simon!