Weight Weenies

I got a track frame with a BB30 bottom bracket, what sort of cranks can I run on it? Is it really that bad to run a road crank on a track frame (chain line issue)? I was searching for track cranks, was surprised that most of the cranks are square taper, and I haven´t found a way a square taper crank could be fitted in a BB30 bottom bracket. There seem to be very few track cranks with integrated spindle which would be easier for fitting. I´m prefere a black crank. My favourite non black crank would be the Shimano track one but comes only with square taper.
What is the reason that most track cranks are square taper? It would add stiffness if the bearings were fitted outside the frame?
Thanks for any information.

Think Sram makes something for the Omnium. I remeber a issue with the GT pulse alu frame.
Sorry, but can't remember it. Try goooOooogle

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I´ve googled a long time and yes a found a crank with the spindle incorporated, but haven´t found an answer whether a square taper crank could be fitted to a BB30 one w or another. I still believe there´s must be a way to do it but I just haven´t found the answer yet, maybe someone has found a way to do it.

you get one of these



pressed in, and now you have a regular English threaded BB.

bikerjulio wrote:you get one of these



pressed in, and now you have a regular English threaded BB.

Hi bikerjulio, thank´s, yes I have one of those, but it may only work for external bearings, if I were to run a square taper crank I could mount a square taper compatible bb into the adapter shell but it would not hold itself against the frames bb shell (just at the adapter) which-even when using Loctite for the adapter wouldn´t be strong enough to hold itself in the frame.

not sure I totally agree, but don't have personal experience to back it up.

BB30 and these adapters have been around for over 10 years - well before the advent of external bearings. so there must be plenty of installations around with cartridge type BB's.

el condor wrote:

bikerjulio wrote:you get one of these



pressed in, and now you have a regular English threaded BB.

Hi bikerjulio, thank´s, yes I have one of those, but it may only work for external bearings, if I were to run a square taper crank I could mount a square taper compatible bb into the adapter shell but it would not hold itself against the frames bb shell (just at the adapter) which-even when using Loctite for the adapter wouldn´t be strong enough to hold itself in the frame.

Not sure how the use of a square taper bearing would be any different from a threaded external bearing used with this adapter. The Shimano bearings certainly do not hold on to anything BUT the sleeve. The sleeve is in turn mounted using Loctite for cylindrical applications and sits extremely well in the frame. I used one of these sleeves in combination with BSA68 external Shimano bearings and there was no visible movement nor any creaking what so ever.

Does a square taper BB-bearing exert extremely much more force on the BB than an external bearing? As stated, it doesn't attach to the frame itself/the bb itself, only to the sleeve in turn fastened with Loctite for cylindrical applications.

Any particular reason why you need a square taper BB?

Hi OP. I agree even less with you now that I've measured a couple of outboard cups I have. SRAM for example are less than 40mm diameter at the outside of the shoulder. A BB30 frame has an ID of 42mm, so the cup isn't going to be anywhere near the frame.

So, regardless of whether it's an outboard or cartridge type bearing, 100% of the BB attachment is to the adapter alone, and always has been for the last 10+ years.

Or to put it another way, I think you are worrying unnecessarily, and that with the correct installation you should be fine.

Haven't measured the outer diameter of the outer-bearing shell, but if they are all less than 42mm's then of course it makes no difference to a cartridge shell.
@ Tapeworm-since most track cranks are square taper,it will offer a bigger choice of cranks using a square taper bb.

A lot of track cranks are square taper for nothing but tradition. Unless you're a sprinter. "Standard" outboard BB works fine on a track bike. Unless your name is "Hoy" and you see 2kW on the power meter.

Contact the manufacturer and ask for suggestions on cranks? They decided to build a track frame with BB30, so surely they must be aware of a BB30 crank that can work for track applications.

A. The press-in English to bb30 adapter will fully work. If there is ANY doubt, don't use grease on the threads, use Loctite 222. But you will NOT need it.
B. Sram omnium, Sram S300.
C. You can use a road crank with the ring in the inner position. Chainline will be 1mm onboard from ideal.

I'm interested to hear the name of this frame.

There is an Asian manufacturer: Ridea that makes CNC aluminum BB30 track cranks. I have not used them but I have their road cranks and Mountain cranks, both of which seemed to be made very well and have given me no trouble since I installed them 2 years ago.

--- Update----

Ridea no longer makes BB30 aluminum CNC track cranks. I just bought a BB24 crankset and Hawk Racing BB30-BB24 converter bearings for my BB30 Track frame. I was told by their rep that the chainrings are ceramic coated so will last longer than FSA or DA or whatever... we'll see.

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