Used on an old Kona Explosif hardtail commuter, an eclectic mix of XT, sram, Marzocchi, etc
Bottom Line:
This BB should have lasted longer. 2 years sounds like a long time, but it was only used for commuting. If it can't take a bit of commuting, then it'll be worthless as a mountain bike BB. I regularly removed the BB, and regreased the blue seals, so I'm surprised to see the Enduro bearings have been so contaminated.
I'm also wondering why it isn't possible to replace these bearings. They press fit a sleeve onto the BB spindle, which keeps you from swapping out the bearings. If this sleeve was removable, it wouldn't be a problem.
Next BB to try will be the SKF BXC-600. Hopefully they know how to make a reliable ISIS BB (they'd be the first). My Egg Beaters also fell apart due to bad bearings, after 1 year or so. My new Time pedals have been better in every way. I've given up on Crank Bros due to poor engineering.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kohook1
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: June 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Claremont Wilderness Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
It spins as smoothly as it can given that it has a lot of play
Weaknesses:
Two months of commuting through a Chicago winter and it has developed a bunch of play. Every time I get on the bike it's click click click.
I should have switched over to some other crank/BB system. ISIS just doesn't work.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crash Bang
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: January 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Afan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction Cycle
Strengths:
It looks pretty and comes with a good warrenty (But will it be honoured?)
Weaknesses:
It is under-engineered and over hyped by Crankbrothers, like the majority of there products!
Similar Products Used:
FSA, Raceface
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler, Fox 36, X0, Middleburn, Hope, DT Swiss, Chris King
Bottom Line:
The bottom bracket looks very pretty, it is a shame the standard of engineering does not match, after 6 months of winter riding in the UK, wet & muddy, the BB is creaking, grinding & has developed lots of play.
It will be interesting to see if CrankBrothers come good on there 5 year warrenty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hadouken*
a Cross Country Rider
from Midlands, UK Date Reviewed: July 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
2pure (warranty repl
Strengths:
Strength
Weight
Weaknesses:
Non i can think of
Similar Products Used:
xt octalink
Bike Setup:
using FSA Carbon Pro Team Issue with the Ti BB
Bottom Line:
I have run the steel spindle bb for a while now with the cobalt crankset, but having bent 2 sets of the non driveside cranks, i was offered a credit note from the UK Crank Bro distributor. I picked up the Ti spindle bb with the credit note, and i am amazed at how light this is! I have only had a few miles on it, but it runs as smooth as my last one, and feels just as stiff.
I'm giving this 5 chilis for value (because basically it was free), and 5 for the overall as this is the best BB money can buy (in my opinion)
On a final note, Crank Brothers customer service is some of the best i have ever encountered, and they all bend over backwards for you. (Big thanks to Mark at 2Pure, and John over in CA)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zecarle
a Weekend Warrior
from alameda CA Date Reviewed: June 15, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
it is a well known brand and the spec looked good
Weaknesses:
hard to install the drive side shell did not seem to be threaded right I could have screwed up the thread on the frame side easily, it took great care to not do so. not stable the first few months had to re-tightened the non drive side at least once or twice. and it ended up squeaking like you would not believe. I removed it after less than one year and installed a Raceface instead which was a breeze to install and seems very stable.
Similar Products Used:
FSA, RaceFace
Bike Setup:
santacruz superlight
Bottom Line:
a disappointment. I also purchased pedals ( Mallet and similar egg beater type of system) from that brand and they started to fall apart after few months, with the Mallet the bearing literally disintegrated after 2 years
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: May 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$156.00
Purchased At:
Mtn High
Strengths:
Very well made, easy installation, 5 year warranty, super light but strong
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ gigapipe and other Truvativs
Bike Setup:
Turner Burner, RP3, Reba w/ Poploc, Carbon bars, K24 Hyd brakes, King/AC Hubs and Synergy rims, Thomson seatpost, X.9 Sram and Truvativ cranks
Bottom Line:
Its been a year now, and my hopes for an ISIS BB that lasts seems to be coming true. Its expensive, but with a 5 year warranty, I figure that's its the same cost as replacing a cheap one every year, and that's what I was doing. If it lasts for 5 years, then I would give it a 5 for value, but I'm only at 1 year. I have no style except bashing into rocks and trees. No bunny hoping light weight here! 215lbs.! Its nice and light, and still spins effortlessly after 1 year plus. Great product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric
a Weekend Warrior
from florida, usa Date Reviewed: February 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Certainly looks the part.
Weaknesses:
Saddly it's toast after 8 months (roughly 800 miles)
Similar Products Used:
Race Face
Bike Setup:
06 Giant Trance w/ mods & upgrades
Bottom Line:
I had great hopes that the CC Cobalt would be the final word in a quality ISIS BB. I could not have been more pleased until it became stiff and ceased after 8 months of use. I guess I'll find out how well the 5 year warranty works and try again. I will hold off giving a poor score until I see how the relpacement does.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Racer
from Aloha, OR, USA Date Reviewed: November 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Phils' Trail Bend, OR
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Trailhead.com
Strengths:
Lightweight, seals
Weaknesses:
Spendy
Similar Products Used:
Shimano UN-51's about twice a year, FSA
Bike Setup:
Schwinn S-30 Carbon, Race Face Turbine, Eggbeaters SL, Avid 9.0 brakes, Sram X.0. drivetrain, Thomson post/Stem, Easton Monkey Lite Bars, Cane Creek AD-12/S-6, beater Shimano XT hubs.
Bottom Line:
After the FSA froze up from Cyclocross racing I bought the Cobalt. This thing is still smooth after several hundred miles of training rides, 7 XC and 6 Short Track MTB races. Think it has a couple of Cross races on it too.
To give a clue as to how hard I ride, this year I blew out the seals on both the AD-12 and Judy fork, broke 2 wheels, one chain, the derailleur hanger and destroyed an SRAM PG990 cassette.
Haven't noticed any flex. I'm 6'3" and usually 200+ lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a
from British Columbia Date Reviewed: September 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
A-Line
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
BlueSkyCycling.com
Strengths:
- Buttery smooth - Strong and stiff - Comes with rubber seals - Looks nice
Weaknesses:
- Looks nice but you never see it...
Similar Products Used:
Race Face SRX BB
Bike Setup:
2006 Transition Preston
Bottom Line:
I use this BB for everything from XC to DH runs at Whistler, it's taken some big hits and is no worse for wear, mind you i haven't had it that long. Quality BB for most riding styles. Be sure to lube the ends very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: March 23, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Super smooth, light
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Evolve XC, bontrager that came with bike
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel, Fox F100RLT, Crank Brothers Cobalt SL crankset, cobalt BB, egg beater Ti
Bottom Line:
I've only gotten few rides in with this crankset/bb combo, but man its sweet. Super smooth and light. Not to mention it looks sweeeeet. I'll have to write another review after 6 months or so once I get some miles on it. But for now, super stiff and the shifiting is smooth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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