Best Budget BB

Hi

I'm looking for a cheap, solid, no nonsense Bottom Bracket to go with my on-one hubs.
Any recommendations?

Thanks

careful, not all bbs are compatible with on-one hubs

Un54

Have a look for the transmission database for what works with the on-one hubs and your choice of crankset. (Tiswas' link)

You can get a good solid BB for around £20. Check the classifieds if you need something for around £5. How budget do you need to go?

UN54.
Currently on a deal at JE James (14.50) Price match somewhere?

Ack, this is more involved than I thought...

Research time again...

My budget is not completely limited, 20£ is quite allright... I will take a look at the UN54

Actually it is quite simple.

You need the right BB for your BB shell threading (English or Italian)
Spindle length is all about ensuring the correct chain line (42mm chainline is standard, but there are variations)
The type of connection (square taper/ISO/JIS/octalink) is about making sure that the cranks can attach to the BB

Spend as much on a BB as you possibly can, I've always been a firm believer of that, and last week I yet again prooved that to myself.
Have a Dura ace & 600 BB right sat here in perfect condition, but not the funny 6prong tool to fit them, so instead for a 4day tour (with a few short sharp hills) picked up a cheap UN52/54 BB for about £15
So yeah, day 3, whats that noise? few hours later, fuck, chainrings are scraping the damn chainstays.
BB bearings had collapsed. Had to knock on doors until I found someone who knew someone who had bike tools so I could respace the BB way over so that its metal grinding failure would not fuck up my frame for the remainder of the day and the next. That 4day old cheap un52/54 bb is now safely back in the bin where it belongs.
**
STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM CHEAP BB's**

Spend as much on a BB as you possibly can, I've always been a firm believer of that, and last week I yet again prooved that to myself.
Have a Dura ace & 600 BB right sat here in perfect condition, but not the funny 6prong tool to fit them, so instead for a 4day tour (with a few short sharp hills) picked up a cheap UN52/54 BB for about £15
So yeah, day 3, whats that noise? few hours later, fuck, chainrings are scraping the damn chainstays.
BB bearings had collapsed. Had to knock on doors until I found someone who knew someone who had bike tools so I could respace the BB way over so that its metal grinding failure would not fuck up my frame for the remainder of the day and the next. That 4day old cheap un52/54 bb is now safely back in the bin where it belongs.
**
STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM CHEAP BB's**

I appreciate the advice.
But this is for a cheap build, commuter bike. Not serious rough riding.

I think the UN54 will fit the bill, it fits the price anyway, and it seems that alot of other people have had luck with this product.

Even more so then. For a commuter you want no nonsense parts.

Mine might have been faulty, and I do mix up low cadence out of saddle grunting with hi speed spin work with little in between.
Got a race face signature Ti ISIS BB from about 8-10yr ago, when/if it breaks raceface send out a fresh one. Luckily I'm still on the first one, and its been on a SS MTB for about 6yr. £120 well invested I think.

I've had a Shimano UN bb in my mountain bike for about 6/7 years, and another in a fixed/SS bike for 3 years. Neither of which are showing any signs of issues.

I'm guessing you must have got a dodgy sample, or maybe Shimano quality has decreased in recent years.

UN54 here for a year. Seen rain and dirt, but it still rolls great. I would go for it.

UN54 is a decent fit-and-forget item, as are plenty of other cheap BBs. Definitely sounds like Brickman was unfortunate enough to get a lemon.

Bottom Brackets List.....lists BBs from 5-6 pounds and upwards.

I don't think the Transmission Database would be any help at all in answering your question though. No prices.

Useful though for the inevitable chainline questions though.

We have a bottom bracket list too? That is news to me, not a surprise really, but news. Keep up the good work GA2G.

Since June 2008. :)

Ok..

So the bottom thing where the Bottom Bracket should be mounted(what is that called) is 78mm wide.
The inside of the tube is roughly 42mm. Roughly because I can't do a proper measurement right now, it is not completely disassembled yet.

There was no threading on the left side? not sure about the right side, I didn't take a look.

Question... what size BB should I get? length?

My god, I know nothing about this bike business.

double post

I'd take it to your local bike shop, and get them to explain/do it.

Then I'll hardly learn anything will I?

But yeah, maybe I need to go there just a little, but still, where's the fun in that.

You can go to the shop just to ask questions.

...or post some pics here.

If the BB shell has no threads then you will restricted in your choice of BBs.

You'll learn more if you let them explain stuff/show you the job being done than if you read text-based explanations on an internet forum. More fun too. Anyway, it's riding the bike that's fun.

Spend as much on a BB as you possibly can,

Not for a cheap build, so I disagree.

...STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM CHEAP BB's

Cheap bottom brackets can be just fine, but often are heavier and don't run as smoothly. This would be due to the quality of the bearings and the type of grease used. Even so, and I speak from experience, no cheap bottom bracket should last less than 3 months, even given the worst of abuses - courier work. And honestly, a year of very heavy use should not unduly bother a cheap bottom bracket, as long as it was properly installed in the first place.

...Mine might have been faulty...

Yes, or possibly the installation and tightening may have been the culprit. A cheap Shimano UN54 especially, should last quite a long time.

I've got a brand-new-in-the-box UN54 British threaded, JIS taper 107mm BB for £12 if anyone is interested. PM me for details.

GA2G - those would be my expectations of a basic BB too, i.e. it last a reasonable period of time under normal circumstances.
Fitted the same as every other BB I've ever done. The drive-side bearing race collapsed on itself. Just discovered my brothers truvativ OEM isis bb has collapsed (non drive side) too, though TBF that one has done 5yrs of hard service, which is fair enough.