XT/XTR/Ultegra for MTB

[scuzzy]

Can one use "any" bottom bracket for mountain biking.

 

If one has to choose between Xt, XTR and Ultegra, would you rather go for the XT or XTR, or would the Ultegra do the same thing?

 

Tanks

[Johan Bornman]

RB and MTB BBs are identical for one difference: on the MTB BB the right hand thread is longer so that you can fit up to 5mm of spacers should the BB width require it. On the roadbike you'll safely get away wit only 2.5mm of spacers.

 

If you have an Ultegra BB lying around and you have a MTB in need of one, put it on. It's like accepting a cornea for transplant. You don't ask if the donour was a good Christian or not.

 

Edit: I forgot to add. There is ZERO difference (other than price) between XTR and even LX, for that matter, in BB adapter cups. I'm assuming we're talking 24mm Hollowtech Shimano here. We often have to take XTR simply 'cause that's all that's available on a given day. But LX/Deore/Whatever the low-end is is much better value for money.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Johan Bornman

[Zac.A]

I think ultegra will be slightly narrower due to being a road component.

 

This could lead, depending on your frame, to your crank hitting/nicking your chain-stay.

[Johan Bornman]

I think ultegra will be slightly narrower due to being a road component.

 

This could lead, depending on your frame, to your crank hitting/nicking your chain-stay.

 

No

[LazyTrailRider]

You don't ask if the donour was a good Christian or not.

 

Or whether they were one at all.

[Cav']

 

 

No

You heard the man - No

[Zac.A]

No

 

I had a cannondale road bb on my flash and it had a much narrower clearance space in relation to the chain-stay compared to when I put a proper mtb one one...

 

But I'll take your word for it.

[scuzzy]

Now the next question, is it worth going for ceramic bearings, or even, go for something like a Hope or Chris King BB? It just feels like I always get a "creaking" noise at the BB. I bought the tools now to open everything up myself an clean the threads and re-grease, but when I was cleaning the one BB cup (of the Ultegra BB) it sounded like there is soemthing in the bearing, and that is most probably causing the sound, which made me thing that the Ultegra might not be sealed as well as the say XT/XTR, but it they are all the same, would this change with something like the Hope/Chris King or something with ceramic bearings?

 

Or do I just need to clean it more often?

[scuzzy]

bump

[Chro Mo]

In most cases, you get what you pay for.

At the extreme end of performance, such as for someone like Burry Stander, ceramic bearings could make a (miniscule) positive difference to performance and efficiency.

As with most thing cutting edge, the added performance comes at a significantly higher price.

If you are in the middle to upper range in terms of ability, I would say that the added cost does not outweigh performance bonus.

Chris King products are the bomb, and I would like to have them all, but I just can't rationalise the cost.

SLX and/or XT, correctly installed, will provide excellent service, are reasonably priced, and look okay.

Hope looks cool, functions well and costs a fair bit.

Chris King components are a thing of beauty, are built to last and are efficient in their stated purpose.

The choice then is this: if you have the cash go for the Chris King, but know it will not improve your performance markedly.

The creaking could be anything, but most often boils down to the installation.

My (long) 2c......

[scuzzy]

Chro Mo

 

Thanks for the advise.

 

I am actually not that worried about the performance side, as I think, they are all pretty much the same, in terms of performance for us okes. I want something that wont make a noise after riding through some mud and water.

 

I originally had a Race Face X-Type on the bike and that needed replacement after about 3 years, now, with an Ultegra, after 5 months it is noise. It deffinately sounds like there is something in the left bearing making a noise. Someone told me over the weekend that with shimano, the bearing are only sealed on the outside?

 

Basically what it comes down to for me is, if Chris King will also make the noise, purely because that is MTB'ing, then I'll stick to the "normal" stuff, but if there is any chance that it will solve this normal wear a tare type of issues, I want to consider it.

 

Any one with experience of this sort of thing?