BB386 Evo Crank options (Velobuild GF-002)

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Snowie
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:27 am

by Snowie

Hi all!

I am new to this forum and bike building (I hope this is the right section to post). In fact, very new to the hobby of biking - Only got a season of experience and it's already too cold to ride here in Canada. I currently have a Argon18 Gallium Pro DA7900 that I love.

For this winter, I'd like to try building a very budget gravel bike as that's an area that me and some friends would like to explore. I have my eyes set on the Velobuild GF-002 (http://www.velobuild.com/products/2021- ... den-cables) with a Sensah SRX 1x11 Groupset. I already ordered the groupset but got stuck with understanding all the standard of bottom brackets, so I haven't ordered the BB nor the crankset yet.

From what I see, there are very little option for budget BB386Evo. According to what I've gathered, it seems like I *might be able to put a BB86 crankset into a BB386 Evo bottom bracket (86.5mm)? Is it just a matter of finding a BB386Evo bracket that'll convert me to other standards?

This is one of the option that I am interested - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001288 ... 2534%22%7D

Can someone shed some light and point me to the right direction for this?

Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Snowie on Wed Nov 17, 2021 1:24 am, edited 2 times in total.

by Weenie


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wltz
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:49 pm

by wltz

If I read the spec of your VB GF-002 frame correctly, it comes with a BB86 press fit BB shell. This means it will fit a crankset with 24mm diameter spindle natively, such as literally any Shimano scrankset on Earth. The difference between BB86 and BB386 BB shells is the diameter of the axle: it's 30mm for the BB386, and 24mm for the BB86 - natively. You can fit a BB386 crankset in a BB86 frame with PF4130 bearings - at a price of shorter bearings life. You can also fit a BB86 24mm spindle in a BB386 frame, since you have more than enough room. But you really want to stick with the narrower diameter spindle if your frame comes with BB86.

I hope that made sense.

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wltz
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:49 pm

by wltz

To sum up and make it a bit more tabular, your starting point is your frame's BB shell standard:
BB86 = designed for 86mm long, 24mm ø spindles
BB386 = designed for 86mm long, 30mm ø spindles

Both BB shells will take either a 24mm or a 30mm ø spindle, but the 386 shell will do so without compromising your bearings' longevity.

dialtone
Posts: 112
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2021 1:31 am

by dialtone

wltz wrote:
Wed Nov 17, 2021 12:42 am
To sum up and make it a bit more tabular, your starting point is your frame's BB shell standard:
BB86 = designed for 86mm long, 24mm ø spindles
BB386 = designed for 86mm long, 30mm ø spindles

Both BB shells will take either a 24mm or a 30mm ø spindle, but the 386 shell will do so without compromising your bearings' longevity.
You could buy a couple of hambini delrin top hats for the bearings of a BB386 and turn into a 24mm spindle without compromising longevity. Or get a 30mm BB shell for BB86. In general you can get either of the 2 BBs working well with either of the 2 spindle sizes I think.

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wltz
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:49 pm

by wltz

No doubt about that! I just built a Giant Revolt (BB86 frame) with Rotor 3D+ cranks and 4130 bearings, but, mindful of shorter maintenance windows, I did so with Token Ninja screw-together cups. All is possible. But for the OP's BB86 frame the first choice should be a BB86 crankset and bottom bracket.

Snowie
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:27 am

by Snowie

Thanks for all the replies.

Curious where you guys are seeing the BB86? On the site it said BB386. I asked them via Skype, they said it's 46x86.5mm and mentioned about 30mm spindle size.

ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

When you search for "GF-002" on velobuild website:
black non-painted gf-002 page list bb386
non-black painted gf-002 page list bb86
may be they changed it recently?
'

Snowie
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:27 am

by Snowie

ooo wrote:
Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:20 am
When you search for "GF-002" on velobuild website:
black non-painted gf-002 page list bb386
non-black painted gf-002 page list bb86
may be they changed it recently?
Wow nice catch, never searched for it that way.


This is the correct link I believe and they did confirm its 46x86.5mm, I believe BB386 Evo is correct!

http://www.velobuild.com/products/2021- ... den-cables

bobones
Posts: 1271
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:19 am

by bobones

I have a BB386Evo frame and used the Token Ninja 7-in-1 Threadfit BB to install a GXP crankset, but it will work a few variations of crank. When I moved to a DUB crankset, I swapped the Token for a Wheels Manufacturing threadfit BB, but a standard pressfit one may be cheaper and lighter.

Snowie
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:27 am

by Snowie

Just a quick update, I've just ordered the frame and did clarify that there will be a BB386 bottom bracket provided with an option of 24mm or 30mm diameters.

If i am not mistaken, if I go with 30mm, BB386Evo Cranksets (30mm x 86.5mm) would be my only option, whereas 24mm would open me up to all other BB86 options, is that correct?

If so, any good/cheap 1x crankset that can be recommended for each option?

Thanks!

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ipaul
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 2:06 am

by ipaul

BB86 and BB386(Evo) are different standards and should not be included in the same conversation.
Bb386 overall shell diameter is 46 mm diameter and the BB86 is 41 mm. 386evo BB with adapters, can run either 24 mm or 30mm styles. So if you are looking to run a shimano crank (24mm) that can be done on your 386. BB86 is not part of the conversation unless your frame is as such.
:P

Snowie
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:27 am

by Snowie

Maybe I've associated the measurements of "24mm" and "86.5mm" with BB86 to simplify my search, but you are right, the shell diameter is 41mm on the BB86

With that said, if VB is including a BB386 bottom bracket that accepts 24mm spindles, is it safe to assume that any crankset that's compatible with BB86 should fit? Is it generally easier to find than 30mmx86.5mm crankset?

bobones
Posts: 1271
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:19 am

by bobones

Yes, any 24 mm crank (Shimano standard) will fit a BB386 bike that has bearings for 24 mm. BB86 and BB386 are both the same width (86.50 mm): it's just the hole that's bigger to support 30 mm spindles with 386.

They might send you BB cups that have 30 mm ID bearings and include reducers to make them 24 mm. If that's the case then 386 cranks (or long BB30) are back in the mix. Similarly, you could use GXP with 22 mm and 24 mm reducers.

A BB386 frame is good to have because you can fit most cranks other than short spindle BB30 with the appropriate BB cups. BB86 (and BSA) frames are compromised when it comes to running 29 or 30 mm cranks because the bearings are necessarily thinner to fit the narrower bores.

Look at the 7-in-1 Token Ninja I linked to earlier to see how reducers and spacers can make a single 30 mm BB fit a wide number of frame and crank standards.

by Weenie


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