I like the look of the hollowtech 2 bottom bracket crank thingys and now everyone else is bringing them out.

I can see the point bigger bearings, axle etc.
but 150 to 200+ notes seems like a lot of wonga

and the splined bbs isis or octalink seem to be a good idea.

but isis bbs seem to have short bearing life due to bigger axle smaller bearings.

so as i currently have a xt square taper why should i change.

apart from the fact they look cool with a hole through them.

you shouldnt.

unless your more interested in asthetics then stick with what youve got.

if it about asthetics then get a shimano hone crank set :)

The interface between ISIS and Hollowtech 2 cranks and BBs is a bit stiffer.

However, given that the bearings on these new systems seem rather fragile espewcially in ISIS guise I've stayed square taper and saved a packet and I don't think I've noticed anyone sprinting away from me up hills just because they have a 'stiffer interface'.

stiffer in-er-face?


























sorry igmc

They like it like that

nudge nudge wink

recently got a set of deore octalink cranks and they are noticeably stiffer than the old square taper deores. maybe because of the new crank design but it works anyway. Can't comment on the long term durability of the bb but i think it'll be ok

Hope so

so how noticeable is the difference and is it worth the extra cost?

I couldn't feel the difference between Prodigy ISIS and Prodigy square taper. Maybe I'm insensitive to such things.

I reckong you can spend the same money on other things that will make more difference to your ride TBH.

the new deore cranks are really good, and very stiff compared to a lot else at a similar price. They have the pre hollow tech2 XT/LX crank design so are a very well designed bit of kit. In my opinion, if you like your bike and want it to be nicer to ride spend the bit extra for the new deore and octalink (maybe even 04 lx octalink). If your cranks are jiggered and you just want something to plug on in the mean time then the old deore square taper are decent enough. I'm fairly heavy (13st) so maybe i notice the extra stiffness more than a lighter rider would. It just feels more positive when you sprint hard. The other benifit i've found is when the start to loosen off they don't start creaking and rounding off.

i've seen quite a lot of wonky isis bbs so i would be inclined to go for the octalink. Shimano chainsets are ace anyway.

Octalink certainly has a better reputation than ISIS

i guess a lot of the problem with isis is that truvativ & raceface never made good quality and value bb s anyway.

well id go with truvativ BB being shit but my latest race face FR BB has lasted over 8-9 months.

ive rode it hard on concrete type drops and stairs aswell as glentress and innerliethan a good few times.

ISIS is a hit or a miss though.

My two pence: Octalink BB 2004 spec, has developed play in about 5-600 miles, where as a Deore Hollowtech* crank on a Deore square taper crank, bought around 2000 has covered near 7-8000 miles now is still play free, despite being riden through submerged roads. Not tried to remove it yet mind.......

If its just for looks, then go for it. The hollw bottom bracket makes a handy ciger holder, should you feel the need. Hollowtech II seems to be holding its own, although i'm hanging on for a bit as its early days.

*Not sure about the crank being deore, as i can't seem to find a date when the deore crank had teh hollow tech arms. Defo hollwtech though, defo bought in 2000 aswell.

Think i may be confused with all yeh isis terms an stuff but i bought the splined xt crankset, Some people seem to round off the square tapers, mainly my mate, the crank arm must work loose maybe but since he changed to splined he hasnt had this problem, another plus is taking your crank arms off, when you undo the bolt it removes the cranks arm for you so no more crank extractor thingi's! As for the bearing wear im not sure if the bigger axle smaller bearing tread applies to the splined version but i did ruin an xt bottom bracket fairly quickly an i dont jump over things or drop off. As fot the cranks with the cigar holder, yeah they look trick, just buy em they gotta turn!!

A Warning for all of you that are thinking of buying hollowtech cranks, I bought mine (shimano Lx hollowtech II) 4 months ago, now the bearings are seized, apparently this seems to be the case even with the xtr models. Now I could understand if I rode every day really pushing the limits, but once or twice a week (30 to 50k)? My bike is always cleaned after rides and stored in my home. So whats going on shimano?
My advice, get a bomb proof BB even if it is heavier.

I think if you use the new hollowtech on a road bike you can notice the difference and it is a big difference, but on a MTB its only a small feeling of stiffness (missus)
I would say keep the XT square taper unitl it falls out.

But I have been using the new XTR Octaling for about a year and its still perfect.
My tip to anyone fitting one, is Dura-ace grease - smear it on to the face of the bearings and down the shaft (there I go again missus)

and of course copper slip on the threads.