Submitted by
KillerT
a Cross Country Rider
from Copenhagen, Denmark Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Held up well for 6000+ km of riding
Weaknesses:
Only one bearing on the drive side
Bike Setup:
Modded Kona Caldera 2005
Bottom Line:
After more than 6000 km of riding through two Danish winters (with plenty of road salt) and summers, through rain, mud, water, dirt etc. the bearing on the drive side finally gave out.
Replaced with a Race Face Evolve XC BB.
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Submitted by
david
a
from Tulsa Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
NONE!
Weaknesses:
Falls apart after about 30 min of riding
Similar Products Used:
Crap sticks
Bottom Line:
SUCKS.....
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Submitted by
Dave Carlton
a Weekend Warrior
from Pioneer California Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
MIsery Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Looks cool and hi-tech compared to old school stuff.
Weaknesses:
Underengineered! Bearings too small (1/16 inch)Cups too soft.
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ gigapipe sl
Bike Setup:
Steel Fisher Hoo hoo e koo. Oldschool frame and fork with updated drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I'm a big guy (230, 6'2") but not a real hammer. I do some adventurous rides but do so conservatively and this thing lasted less than 200 miles. I torqued it to spec when I installed it and when I called RF about it they put the blame on me saying the cause could only be overtightening.I tore the thing apart to investigate and the outer races were brinneled. Hardly any lube in the thing either! Don't waste your money. If your stuck with ISIS drive,( which in my opinion is a solution looking for a problem and creating lots of them in the process) go for the DH models that use 4 bearings. In trying to beef up spindle/ crank interface BB manufacturers shortchanged riders with this ISIS stuff. BB shells should have been made larger to accomodate large spindle and large bearings. Talk about an OOPS! in the engineering department! Nothing like being the beta test site for manufacturers! Probably suitable for comfort bikes and occasional riders but not if your big or ride alot.
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Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Sanford, Florida, USA Date Reviewed: August 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Razorback
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
As far as bottom brackets go these days, better than average
Weaknesses:
Longevity, as with all the later model, older style bottom bracket systems.
Similar Products Used:
Iron Horse, Shimano XT, Chris King, SunRingle
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse, Rockshok, Shimano XT 9spd, Chris King, SunRingle
Bottom Line:
Well here we are at a switch in Bottom Bracket & Crank Tech. If you are a serious rider then the newest systems are your best bet. Dont even bother just replacing the BB. But I guess you already know that if you are here. I got a solid two years out of the SRX BB, which is at the low end of Race Face's product line. I am an agressive rider of 195lbs. My guess with these wear problems is that alot relies on INSTALLATION. So before those below went and started pointing fingers, they should have thought about this and read the INSTALLATION INSTRUCIONS. I am replacing it with another because I am not ready to upgrade to the newest system. Even though the BB wore out before the crankset, I'll still stay LOYAL to raceface. In a realm of components that are historically problematic they have hung in there and kept up with the pace. Besides the fact that they would do anything to help you. They have THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE! Keep that in mind while you are sitting inside with a broken rig waiting for a repsonse from Shimano.
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Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hamsterley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
New with bike
Strengths:
Stiffness
Weaknesses:
Not quite making 6 months before seizing
Similar Products Used:
FSA
Bottom Line:
Terrible product. This only lasted 5 months through an English summer, I shudder to imagine how long it would have lasted in an English winter!
I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone, use FSA, seems to last longer but does squeek a bit. I think ISIS is a stupid idea and I can't understand why manufacturers still use ISIS systems.
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Submitted by
james brooks
a Cross Country Rider
from melbourne, victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: February 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
You Yangs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
I guess I didn't directly pay for it. Thats good!
Weaknesses:
Just like the other reviews. This thing is a right lemon.
Similar Products Used:
Not sure what is on my other bike but it done about 20000 kms over 5 years without a squeak.
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC 2 2005. With just about everything that can wear replaced. Great frame and SRAM rocks but heaps of crap, like this product, out of sight.
Bottom Line:
What a waste of metal and grease. Total gumbies should buy this, or scrap merchants can have mine for a dollar :) Deserves some negative flaming poos
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Cheap price.
Weaknesses:
Crank arm keeps coming loose as the thread on the bolt is too soft. I had this tightened at my local bike shop a number of times but it keeps on coming loose. This started on about the third or fourth ride. The bike was purcahsed brand new through a Giant dealer. The bike is only used for riding on XC trails, no jumping or downhill.
Similar Products Used:
Changed over the bottom bracket and cranks (RaceFace Prodigy crankset) for XT bottom bracket and cranks, no problems now.
Bike Setup:
2003 Giant XTC1 with XT shifters, XT front derailleur, XTR rear derailleur, Mavic CrossRoc wheelset, Avid brakes
Bottom Line:
The bike was a good buy apart from the Raceface Crankset and bottom bracket. I went to my local bike shop to get a new bottom bracket but he doesn't stock Raceface (for the obvious reason that they are no good). I was going to try and get a replacement bottom bracket under warranty but I have decided to save myself time and effort and get a decent product.
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Submitted by
Rod Munch
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, CA Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
Price Point Combo Deal
Strengths:
Price- came cheap with the Race Face Evolve XC crankset. The good news is: the Evolve XC is everything I hoped- priced right, strong & stiff, cool looking & light.
Weaknesses:
Seems to be my history with ISIS BB's- 1 year or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first- and the bearings turn to gravel.
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Signature XS ISIS BB. My last one. Figured buying RF's top of the line XC BB would make ISIS work. Wrong.
Bike Setup:
2003 Hammerhead 100X, Fox Float R ProPedal & F100RLC fork. XTR, XT, Magura Martas, Race Face bits & Hugi/Mavic wheels.
Bottom Line:
I defended ISIS to my friends after my Signature XS died. Now its two ISIS BB's in two years. I'm a smooth XC rider, don't ride in rain or mud, and only catch "trail air"- no drops. Some may say that a new BB every year isn't so bad, but I want one to last longer. I'm not sold on the external bearing system yet, so I'm not going there. This $100 experiment (2 BB's) didn't work- I don't want to be a guinea pig with a $300 crank & BB?
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Submitted by
Mozza
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, South Australia Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mylor Loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strengths???? What strenghts??? The chrome parts stayed chrome!
Weaknesses:
Regularly came loose and would completely cease up if I didn't ride every second day. It seems strange that a SEALED BB needs to be serviced with lubricant!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC 2 with mods.
Bottom Line:
This thing is complete crap! Do not buy it. It was a poor component on an otherwise excellent bike. If I didn't get this bike at a good price I would be really pissed! It comes loose often, ceases up ALL THE TIME and does not earn the right to be called a "sealed" BB.
I only wish I could choose zero chilis.
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Submitted by
sebastian
a Cross Country Rider
from durham Date Reviewed: June 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
durham forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$49.00
Purchased At:
bay sports
Strengths:
NONE !!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Very short life span.
Bike Setup:
RM SLAYER stock
Bottom Line:
This BB is not worth putting on your bike, i went though three of them under warranty and the last one lasted two weeks. I would strongly suggest you not wast your money on this product IT IS A PEACE OF CRAP. The only good thing about RACE FACE is they warrantied their product without a hassle.
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Submitted by
johnny hack
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. Canada Date Reviewed: May 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Toxic forest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
* Quiet * Smooth * Maintenance free
Weaknesses:
* Not cool enough for everyone * Can't talk about it with my buddies.
Similar Products Used:
Old school XT square taper on Bridgestone MB1
Bike Setup:
03 Kona Lava Dome with other parts.
Bottom Line:
I replaced the stock crap shi*mano crank and BB for a prodigy crank and SRX BB. Glad I did. LBS gave me $20 for the stock BB, and this cost $50. So effectively $30 CDN.
Crank spins smoothly. Seems strong enough for me. That's all I ask of it.
Back when I started MBing in the early 90's all we had was square taper and they sucked then. I must have rounded off 4 crank arms jumping.
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Submitted by
Eric Webring
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR Date Reviewed: February 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Ape Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
ummmm it lasted more than a month It's cheaper than their other overpriced BB's
Weaknesses:
bearings are garbage
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, truvativ
Bottom Line:
FRICKIN JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Race Face needs to do us all a favor and either get it together or stay out of the BB business!
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Submitted by
rich
a
from new zealand Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
it has lasted well over a yeah with light freerideing and downhill. I only just gave up the ghost about a week ago doing stair gaps
Weaknesses:
nothing
Bike Setup:
Ac2
Bottom Line:
Came on bike, way out lasted the prodigy cranks that were on my bike. well worth it if u cam get 1 for $30
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Submitted by
dan
a Cross Country Rider
from saratoga,N.Y.,USA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Long rides
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
Bearing failure
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Shimano, Truivativ
Bike Setup:
Kona
Bottom Line:
It had 62 miles on it before it seized up. It was sent back to raceface, which I upgraded to xc signature. I did not want to go threw the hassle of replacing on a routine basis even though I have the tools for installation. I reccomend purchasing two, one for the bike and one for the shelf. I gave it a higher overall rating due to great customer service.
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Submitted by
Dave Zeman
a Racer
from Sewanee, TN Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bear Creek (Ga Mountains)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint w/ turbine cranks
Strengths:
cheap
Weaknesses:
the product itself. the thing lasted less than a month before it fell apart.
Similar Products Used:
going for American Classic now
Bike Setup:
sugar 1, xt drivetrain, avid single digit ti brake system, turbine cranks, marathon sl fork, sid race rear, ATAC pedals (The BEST clipless)
Bottom Line:
Really consider something else. This bottom bracket fell apart ten mintues before a race. Literally fell apart. The insertion cups both came off of the spidle body and the bearings were rolling around in my frame. This happened in less than a month. The only other rider on my team who uses raceface isis had a similar malfunction less than two weeks later. The Raceface costumer service is not what it is cracked up to be... they are holding my replacement becuase "we are busy, check back in ten days". It's already been a month! I think this company is a lot more hype than results. I can't wait until my new American Classic BB comes next week.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgeton, NJ Date Reviewed: November 1, 2004
This BB came as part of a package deal when I bought the Turbine LP crankset. After about four rides the BB developed an unacceptable amount of play. My previous BB was a Shimano UN72 that had over 1500 miles on it and I never had a problem with it.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
lifespan
Similar Products Used:
truvativ isis, modus isis, shimano square taper
Bottom Line:
After 6 weeks this hunk of rubbish died. I do not jump or huck, just ride my local trails like any XC rider would. This product is a disgrace. Race Face had a good reputation once, this sort of product has seen an end to that.
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Submitted by
Fabio Reyes
a Weekend Warrior
from Aarhus Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
CactusBikes
Strengths:
Price
Weaknesses:
Strenght, durability. It began feeling kind of loose after 4 months. It was good while it lasted though. The money I saved in buying something better, just costed me time in getting my bike on the trails again.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano square tapers and soon an FSA platinum.
Bike Setup:
Azonic Saber.
Bottom Line:
I bought this BB for the price, but I was wrong. Sometimes it is good to know, where you save money.
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Submitted by
Dennis Romano
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV, USA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bunker Creek, UT
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Copeland's Sports
Strengths:
It is RaceFace and I never heard a bad thing about their products.
Weaknesses:
At 700 miles my bike felt as if the disc brakes were dragging or I was seriously out of shape. Turns out the BB was dragging severely. Eventually completely froze up.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Octalink and square taper.
Bike Setup:
I ride a Rocky Mountain Slayer (2003). This BB came stock along with RaceFace Prodigy cranks which so far have been equal to XT.
Bottom Line:
I ride my Slayer like a cross country bike. I do not huck or really bomb the trails. I weigh 230 lbs. and that in itself causes component failure but mostly in the wheels and tires. The Shimano BB's I have used have lasted over 1800 miles and several BB's many more miles than this. RaceFace must have realized there was a problem with this part since they stopped production of it. I still believe RaceFace is the real deal and purchased their top of the line XS BB.
As for the SRX, do not buy this part. Failures are common place and the few bucks you save will only cause you bike down time. I hate walking my bike out of the desert.
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Submitted by
zach winn
a Racer
from port hope,ontario,canada Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
bromont ski resort
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
isis drive. makes a interesting looking paper wieght
Weaknesses:
blew the seals, bearing fell apart, a bit heavy
Similar Products Used:
other race face bottom bracket that came on my xtc 2 this bottom bracket isn't even close to the quality of my shimano xt one
this bottom bracket was in my racing bike (stock). I only use this bike for racing and dry training rides in the woods, use the good old hardtail when it's wet, so this bottom bracket only has about a 1000 km on it anout 1500 less then the xt one on my hardtail so I decided to put a truvativ bottom bracket in hope it does me better
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Submitted by
Alex
a
from Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: April 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lower Vics
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Cheap ISIS Local Company
Weaknesses:
Bearings are poor quality
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Square Taper BB's, now on a Truvativ DH ISIS BB.
Bike Setup:
03 Banshee Scirocco, 03 Psylo XC, XT 4pot brakes
Bottom Line:
This was grinding and popping after 2.5 mths. I used it on technical trails, but it was not hucked or abused. I weigh 140 lbs and rarely break parts. Only getting 2.5 mths out of a $45 part is a waste of money, even if it's a cheap bottom bracket.
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Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
stock on Giant NRS2
Strengths:
Okay while it lasts.
Weaknesses:
Seals contaminated after a few muddy rides, one set of bearings seized up. A bit on the portly side.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS 2, some upgrades
Bottom Line:
This bottom bracket felt farily smooth up until it seized after about 1800 miles. For an inexpensive bottom bracket I guess I wouldn't expect more life from it than what I got. Most of my riding has been during the dry Portland summer, but have hit the rain and mud a bit in the spring and fall. I assume it was the fall mud that spelled doom for this BB. Anyway, it got contaminated and seized up, so now I'm getting an FSA BB to try my luck with that.
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Submitted by
Eric Parsons
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage AK Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
It spins and is cheap
Weaknesses:
Poor seals, weight
Similar Products Used:
Good old UN-72's
Bike Setup:
Ti 29er
Bottom Line:
I ride alot period. In Alaskan conditions THis thing lasted 2 and a half months before developing play. now its so out of hand I'm getting rid of it and going back to square taper stuff until Chris King comes out with the holy grail.
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Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from kokomo, in, usa Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
don't know, just started biking
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
seams strong and solid. really hard to say exactly since is buried inside the frame, but it works good
Weaknesses:
a little heavy, but it costs $30 and is steel, not Ti
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
EPX Terrashark frame, mostly XT drivetrain, easton bar and stem and marzoochi MX Pro fork
Bottom Line:
it is a steel rod encases in sealed bearings; the whole thing is inside the frame, therefore, no noticable "ya" or "nay". like i said, it could be lighter, but maybe not. it works and is strong
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from CO Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003
$ 33.00
Overall Rating:
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