Square Taper Bottom Bracket info required

Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a square taper JIS bottom bracket;
size 68mm X 119 or 120mm. This would be to go in a 753 steel frame.

The only options that I've found are :

a) Acor bottom bracket

b) Stronglight JP400 in steel (a few pounds more for a lighter one with alloy cups)

c) Shimano UN54

All of these retail for about £15 - price isn't an issue.

What I would like to know is:

Are any of these to be recommended or avoided ?

Can anyone recommend any other BB which is significantly better ? (Does anyone have anything better that they'd wish to sell ?)

Are there any problems with using alloy cups in a steel frame ?

Thank you for any advice/info.

Hi,

You will want the UN54, its the best of those BBs by a good way.
I like them alot too, last well, spin good.

Phil is better, much better,and you can get that size, but you'd prolly have to order it from the states and it'll cost about £100 more than the un54. Depending on what the frame is and the rest of the comonents and your budget will dictate which is more appealing to you.

Alloy cups are fine in steel frames. You need to use ample anti-seize (I like copper shit from finish line personally), or ample locktight if its italian threaded.

Best,

Harry

What are the Miche bottom brackets like? I've heard of a lot of people using them for Beaters but they've always looked pretty good to me..

they are crap, like most modern miche products.
Avoid if at all possible.

Haha, great to hear - I've got a Miche Condor wheelset right now....but its only my first fixed bike, i dont know of anything better, couldnt afford it if i did..
Cheers

Don't be put off by Harry's broad dismissal of all Miche products. However, their bottom brackets are a bit temperamental. You get the bonus of the adjustable chainline at the expense of bottom bracket cups unscrewing. Also they just don't seem as well made as the shimano UN catridge bbs.

miche bb's are iso too

Don't be put off by Harry's broad dismissal of all Miche products.

True, Miche cranks aren't terrible.

Yeah, most people I know seem to have the Shimano UN54.
I've actually got some random Shimano unsealed, non-cartridge one, which I know regret buying.
I think next on my shoping list is a new shimano UN