ISIS bottom bracket

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

User avatar
cadence90
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:52 am

by cadence90

I want to try a compact crankset and for now I'm fairly certain to buy an FSA Compact crankset (or maybe wait for the new FSA K-Force compact). Both require ISIS BB. I have only ridden Campagnolo, have never used ISIS, so I would have to switch out my BB now.

What do you all recommend in an ISIS BB that is FSA compatible; 68mm/English; relatively light but durable; easy to maintain; strong (I'm no lightweight 140#); not costing an arm and a leg; and available fast? The FSA; the American Classic; other?

Thanks in advance, as always....
"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



mises
Posts: 1698
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 9:28 pm
Location: Unknown parameter

by mises

FRM, though it kind of depends on how much your arm and leg are worth.

I checked yesterday and the re re re revised American Classic is still not available.

FSA are readily available and pretty cheap depending on model but not at all light.

User avatar
cadence90
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:52 am

by cadence90

Yeah, the FSA is 172g for Ti, 225 for CrMo.
The FRM is 144, any problems with the 7075 spindle?
The AC is 140, when in carnation is it coming out? What's the delay?
"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

KB
Posts: 3967
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:32 pm
Location: HULL UK

by KB

Cadence - I have an FSA Triple chainset with the Platinum Pro BB. It feels very good. I will also on my other other bike go for a 50/34 FSA rig and will use the same BB on that as well. I've found the FSA stuff to be pretty good. The ISIS system seems to give good feedback. Difficult to describe but somehow more rigid and responsive.

Paul_nl
Posts: 462
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 4:35 pm
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

by Paul_nl

What's an ISIS bottom bracket?
I only know of 'square taper' vs 'octalink' and 'ita36x24' vs 'bsa1.37'

I have an fsa compact crank on order and I have already an dura ace 9speed bottom bracket.

mises
Posts: 1698
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 9:28 pm
Location: Unknown parameter

by mises

I haven't really heard anything bad about the FRM even with the MTBs. Aluminum wasn't my first choice for a spindle but so far I haven't had any issues either. It does use a smaller diameter crank bolt so there is more material left around it and once the cranks are installed it's not exposed at all so nothing can hit it and cause problems. It also allows a bit of chainline adjustment which a lot of ISIS BB don't.

I think the AC BB had problems with the bearings, and they were non replaceable too. The new version is supposed to have replaceable bearings. Their site still claims about the same weight but the pictures of it look like it will be heavier since it has gone from a plastic inner sleeve between the cups to a cartridge style.

Joel
Posts: 744
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Belgium

by Joel

Paul_nl wrote:What's an ISIS bottom bracket?
I only know of 'square taper' vs 'octalink' and 'ita36x24' vs 'bsa1.37'

I have an fsa compact crank on order and I have already an dura ace 9speed bottom bracket.


Some pics so you see the difference
ita and bsa are different threads
Attachments
ISIS.jpg
octalink.jpg
SQUARE.jpg
SQUARE.jpg (10.53 KiB) Viewed 2851 times

Joel
Posts: 744
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Belgium

by Joel

Isis looks a bit like Octalink, but 10 in stead of 8 'teeth'

User avatar
cadence90
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:52 am

by cadence90

Joel wrote:
Paul_nl wrote:What's an ISIS bottom bracket?
I only know of 'square taper' vs 'octalink' and 'ita36x24' vs 'bsa1.37'

I have an fsa compact crank on order and I have already an dura ace 9speed bottom bracket.


Some pics so you see the difference
ita and bsa are different threads


Good pics. There are also 2 kinds of square taper: Campagnolo and JIS (Japan International Standard).
ITA threads are "Italian" threading on BB/frame (BB shell) interface.
BSA threads are "English" threading on BB/frame interface.
Your BB shell diameter is also important.
"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

ger
Posts: 78
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2003 1:23 pm
Location: holland

by ger

The FSA titanium does not weigh 172 grams.
Mine was 190 grams and that does NOT include the very heavy steel crank bolts (40 grams) I heard FSA has aluminum crack bolts, dont know what they weigh though

User avatar
cirroc
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:25 am

by cirroc

How about this BB? Try these two websites for more info:
http://www.xxcycle.com/cgi-bin/shop.pl?SCREEN=detail&REF=2958
http://hometown.aol.de/ingenieurtec/1725420.htm
Looks like a very light ISIS at 132g.
Attachments
twister.jpg
\'kee-rok\ I'm just an unfrozen caveman. Your world frightens and confuses me.

User avatar
cadence90
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:52 am

by cadence90

Definitely light!
Does anyone know the durability, etc.?
"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

User avatar
spytech
Posts: 1657
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:34 pm
Location: New York City
Contact:

by spytech

i have seen that BB but i am going to wait on the AC since it has a cromo axle, alot stiffer and only 8 grams more :wink:


User avatar
spytech
Posts: 1657
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:34 pm
Location: New York City
Contact:

by spytech



Ahhhh, yes. and...? please elaborate more on your 129g BB does it have a chromo axle?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply