How To Select a Bottom Bracket
How To Select a Bottom Bracket
Step 1 - What is the Frame's BB Shell?
To accurately identify the BB shell in your frame, it is important that you remove the cranks and bottom bracket from the frame and measure. Don't guess! Don't rely on frame descriptions or stickers on a frame. A few manufacturers (Cannondale, Cervelo) are using asymetrical BB shells which may require a very specific bottom bracket. Our Bottom Bracket Standards page will help you identify what Bottom Bracket shell your frame has from your measurements.
Measure the bottom bracket shell on your frame:
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BB Shell Width Outside to outside of frame with Bottom Bracket cups removed. |
BB Shell Inside Diameter With Bottom Bracket cups or direct-fit bearings removed. |
Threaded or Press Fit?
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Threaded BB Shell Frame will have threads where the cups insert. |
Press Fit BB Shell Frame will be smooth (no threads). |
Step 2 - What is the Crankset Spindle?
Wheels Manufacturing currently offers bottom brackets compatible with the following spindle configurations: 30mm diameter, 29mm SRAM DUB Compatible, 24.00mm (Shimano, etc.), 22mm/24mm SRAM GXP. See our Crankset Page for help identifying your crankset.
Crank spindle diameter: The photos below show the different spindle diameters the Wheels Mfg currently offers bottom brackets for. Use a quality set of calipers of micrometer when measuring the spindle diameter. You will want to measure exactly where the bearings will be positioned on the spindle.
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24mm Spindle (Shimano, etc.) |
22mm/24mm Spindle (SRAM / Truvativ GXP) |
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29mm Spindle Cranks (SRAM DUB) |
30mm Spindle Cranks |
Effective Crank spindle length: With both crank arms attached to the spindle, measure the distance across the spindle between the crank arms. This is the space that your BB shell plus bottom bracket has to fit into. Our list of frame + BB widths can be found HERE.
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Effective Spindle Length |
Step 3 - Select Your Bottom Bracket!
Now that you have all the necessary dimensions, you can select your bottom bracket. Our bottom brackets are first identified by the frame standard they fit (PF30, 386EVO, etc.). From there, you will choose one that is compatible with your crankset. Hint: On our bottom bracket pages, it helps to use the filters on the left side of the page to narrow down the choices. If you are still uncertain, we recommend you have your local bike shop help you with selecting and installing the correct bottom bracket.
How To Select a Bottom Bracket
Step 1 - What is the Frame's BB Shell?
To accurately identify the BB shell in your frame, it is important that you remove the cranks and bottom bracket from the frame and measure. Don't guess! Don't rely on frame descriptions or stickers on a frame. A few manufacturers (Cannondale, Cervelo) are using asymetrical BB shells which may require a very specific bottom bracket. Our Bottom Bracket Standards page will help you identify what Bottom Bracket shell your frame has from your measurements.
Measure the bottom bracket shell on your frame:
BB Shell Width
Outside to outside of frame with Bottom Bracket cups removed.
BB Shell Inside Diameter
With Bottom Bracket cups or direct-fit bearings removed.
Threaded or Press Fit?
Threaded BB Shell
Frame will have threads where the cups insert.
Press Fit BB Shell
Frame will be smooth (no threads).
Step 2 - What is the Crankset Spindle?
Wheels Manufacturing currently offers bottom brackets compatible with the following spindle configurations: 30mm diameter, 29mm SRAM DUB Compatible, 24.00mm (Shimano, etc.), 22mm/24mm SRAM GXP. See our Crankset Page for help identifying your crankset.
Crank spindle diameter: The photos below show the different spindle diameters the Wheels Mfg currently offers bottom brackets for. Use a quality set of calipers of micrometer when measuring the spindle diameter. You will want to measure exactly where the bearings will be positioned on the spindle.
24mm Spindle (Shimano, etc.)
22mm/24mm Spindle (SRAM / Truvativ GXP)
Threaded BB Shell
Press Fit BB Shell
Effective Crank spindle length: With both crank arms attached to the spindle, measure the distance across the spindle between the crank arms. This is the space that your BB shell plus bottom bracket has to fit into. Our list of frame + BB widths can be found HERE.
Effective Spindle Length
Step 3 - Select Your Bottom Bracket!
Now that you have all the necessary dimensions, you can select your bottom bracket. Our bottom brackets are first identified by the frame standard they fit (PF30, 386EVO, etc.). From there, you will choose one that is compatible with your crankset. Hint: On our bottom bracket pages, it helps to use the filters on the left side of the page to narrow down the choices. If you are still uncertain, we recommend you have your local bike shop help you with selecting and installing the correct bottom bracket.