Enduro TorqTite Bottom Bracket

Enduro offers BBs for just about every BB ‘standard’ whether threaded or press-fit, as well as bearings kits to upgrade/replace your existing BB bearings.  The BB I have been testing is the TorqTite, Stainless Steel, Angular Contact for BB86 and Shimano Cranks.  The name is basically a list of the options selected and I’ll run through each below.

TorqTite is Enduro’s thread together BB for press-fit frames.  Typical press-fit BBs are two separate left/right pieces that don’t contact each other.  This allows for possible bearing misalignment due to frame tolerances and/or improper installation of the BB.  The TorqTite is also two pieces, but it forms a threaded connection inside the frame to guarantee alignment and lock the BB in place.  The result is improved bearing life and none of the creaking that press-fit BBs are infamous for.  My bike has gone through several BBs over the years in attempts to eliminate an intermittent creak and I’m happy to say the TorqTite BB so far has been silent.

Another bonus of the TorqTite BB is ease of installation and removal.  Hammering out my previous BBs was always a terrifying experience.  I was sure my carbon frame was going to snap given the amount of force that was required.  The Enduro BB is designed slightly undersized to avoid radial compression (improve bearing life) so the required install force is minimal.  The threaded design self-installs without a bearing press, but does require special tools that Enduro sells.  Having installed several press-fit BBs previously I was at first concerned about the loose fit in the frame, but Enduro ensured me this was by design and the thread clamps the BB securely in the frame.  I marked the BB and frame with a pen after install and so far the BB has not moved/rotated.

Stainless Steel describes the bearing material.  Specifically, 440C Stainless that provides better corrosion resistance and hardness than more common 440A or B grades, though not quite as hard as chromium bearing steel.  To keep water/sweat/sticky drinks out of the bearing LLB seals and CRC Marine Grease are used.

Angular Contact is the type of bearing.  Standard radial bearings are widely used in bicycle wheels and BBs.  Radial bearings are unevenly loaded with only the bottom balls under load.  Angular contact bearings have races tilted to support both radial and axial loads as well as loading all balls simultaneously.  This does require proper bearing preload when installing the cranks (similar to Shimano hubs which use cup and cone angular contact bearings).

For testing I was ‘lucky’ to have some really great winter conditions: freezing temperatures, snow, ice, mud, and heavily salted roads.  Basically, perfect conditions to kill bearings.  The BB bearings are still running smooth as new and popping out the seals showed no signs of corrosion or grease contamination.  The 440C material is also a great option for an indoor training bike BB and Head Set to keep the sweat out.