Square Taper or Octalink ?

oooh I'm glad you asked, forms, I'm wondering about all this shite right now too...

Can someone tell me what these^ type BBs are called? Outboard?

Sorry for being a dumbass. I've just resolved to join the 21st century ... you know, Aheads, sealed everythings, all that jazz.

external bearing

@tommy

I love your mis-spellings of things... so poetic. This bride has been walking (and rolling around) on the bridalways, from the look of her dress:

External BB's.
Now why has'nt the forum magically reduced my pic size?

What are the benefits? Bigger BB sizes? Cartridge bearings, easier to replace etc?

I've just resolved to join the 21st century ... you know, Aheads, sealed everythings, all that jazz.

Weak. I thought you had more backbone than this, Skully.

Naaah ... I've had enough of old shit. I really have.

What are the benefits? Bigger BB sizes? Cartridge bearings, easier to replace etc?

larger bearings mean more durability, larger spindle and larger distance between bearings means stiffer.

Cheers velolibre

so what are the splined track crank options?
DA...
FSA?

What are the benefits? Bigger BB sizes? Cartridge bearings, easier to replace etc?

The axle can be thicker, which adds stiffness.
They have bigger bearings, which adds longevity.
The cranks are piss easy to install/remove (usually one/two pinch bolts + bearing pre load bolt).

The bigger bearings have bigger seals, which increases drag.
The external nature could make them more suseptible to damage.
They are usually heavier than the ISIS type BBs they replaced.
They usually have a bigger q-factor

I dont usually buy into this component stiffness stuff (maybe I'm just too weak). But recently replaced a shimano deore 48:36:26 triple, square taper, with the exact same crankset in ext.BB, and I have to admitt it is notibly stiffer.

truvativ omnium

i think you should get purely because of this blurb i found

The Omnium is designed for all-out Velodrome racing, but is also extremely happy as the ultimate “Fixie” crankset. So whether you’re a messenger, hipster or track speedster you will enjoy the qualities of this crankset

Hipster ... check

Cheers smallfurry ...

Stoopid question alert (possibly not the first one here):
Where's the spindle in these^ BBs? I just don't get it, do I.

Flame away...

The spindle is attached to the drive side crank. The non drive side crank then just uses a mechanism similar to that of an ahead stem.

It's like this:

EDIT: My example was more for Campagnolo. I understand Shimano uses one long axle instead of two shorter axles.

Oh yeah, sorry, I had actually heard of these, known as 'two-piece' cranks. Cheers you lot.

Tiswas, what exactly are you dibbing? I think Dwayne wants my tarck frame, he has first refusal.

Cheers smallfurry ...

Stoopid question alert (possibly not the first one here):
Where's the spindle in these^ BBs? I just don't get it, do I.

Flame away...

You know how an ahead stem works, imagine the forks are the drive side crank then the steerer tube is the axle and the stem is the left crank. Headset is the external bb.geddit?

Nope, that's made it worse. Thanks for trying though.

Hurrah! Now go away and prepare a short presentation to the group on BB30.

Look at the non-drive side crank below, and think of it as an ahead stem.

If you losen the pinchbolts on the side, you can adjust bearing load with the center bolt. Much the same as an ahead headset.

hmmm ... not sure I like the 21st century. Seems weird to have little allen bolts down there.

Maybe I'll stick to square tapers.

.

Despite the good reviews for octalink, i decided to buy the DA 7600's. I dont know why, probably because it's a system i'm used to. I bought them fairly cheap from an ebay shop - Australian ebay. Guy who runs it is called Alex-Japon. the shop's called something like; buy direct from Japan. Anyone heard of it?

hmmm ... not sure I like the 21st century. Seems weird to have little allen bolts down there.

Maybe I'll stick to square tapers.

dey been round for years...(the little allen bolts down there)

Yeah, I know they're not THAT recent... just I have a rep' for being a luddite, you see.