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World
Class Ti Bottom Bracket
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Submitted by
Robert Kayne
a Racer
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Unbearible | | Bike Setup: | Extralite.com hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I got it in 1997 and for almost 10 years now, what did I do? For all these years I replaced the ball bearings only once. Those that do not own one, too bad! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Speedemon
a Racer
from Seattle, WA USofA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Ultimate w/ Dura Ace
GT Zaskar LE w/XT | | Bottom Line: | I'm a CAT 3 Masters racer and have been a liscensed mechanic (USCF/USA Cycling) for the past 10 tears. This BB is one of the best I've ridden, and I've ridden a LOT of bikes. I'm sorry, but if you're spending this kind of money and think you can wrench on your own bike, you don't NEED directions included! Use any good Ti prep and torque to Barnett's or Park's recomendations and you're good to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
slbenz
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very light with smooth operation | | Weaknesses: | A little flexy. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | 1995 Sycip Full Suspension
2001 Trek Fuel 80 | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a very light bottom bracket that can stand the test of time, look no further. I have been using the same bottom bracket for going on seven years now! Four of those years included XC racing and numerous stream crossings. Using my digital Pelouze scale, it read 144 grams for the 113mm length bottom bracket. Never had it creak or loosen at all the seven years I have used it. My only suggestion is to not use it with a very light crankset such as Topline. The combination is very flexy and I only weigh 155lbs. If it is mated to a Shimano crankset, no problem with flex. Definitely happy with the product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Sagamihara, Japan
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hinode | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Mud, Sweat & Gears | | Strengths: | It does what it's supposed to and it's wicked light! | | Weaknesses: | It wasn't free (pretty cheap for ti however!) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler, Race Face Cranks
http://hecklersc.homestead.com/Heckler.html | | Bottom Line: | This BB was very easy to set up. Adjustable chainline is a plus. Make sure that you put some teflon tape on the cups and crank 'em tight! I weigh about 175-180# and haven't had any problems with squeaking or flex. I have been running the BB for a little over six months now and pulled it out last weekend for service and everything was as it was when I installed it.
The standard that I hold bike parts to is this: If some maggot stole the bike today, would the replacement bike have this same part? Answer on the BB is YES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Belmont111
a Cross Country Rider
from Wickford, RI
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt Toms- Arcadia | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, sealed (time will tell...) | | Weaknesses: | none so far- but not that much time in it... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano UN-72, Race Face Cro-mo | | Bike Setup: | GT Xizang Ti with a whole lot of goodies set up the way I want it... | | Bottom Line: | Bought this second hand from a friend who had no problems with it and was parting out his rig. Put it on with new Caramba Doublebarrel cranks and I think that I have the stiffest drivetrain know to man. No loss of power on a pedal stroke for me!
I have only used it for a month or so, and the spring melt-off will be the true test- but so far has performed without the creaking or leaking (knock on wood) that some other reviewers have noted. I will be sure to amend my review if any of that happens. In the meantime- gonna ride it hard!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, reliable, light | | Weaknesses: | None known | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano UN-72
Specialized | | Bike Setup: | 1997 Specialized FS
1998 AMP B-5 | | Bottom Line: | Ordered the first one in 1997 and it saved quite a bit of weight over the cheap OEM model, ran much smoother. It's still in there, working away. Second one Jenson sent me accidentally after I sent them $50 for a cheaper ti model, they said just keep it. It's in the AMP, still working away flawlessly. I will never buy any other ti BB as long as these work so well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from many places
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light...smooth bearings. | | Weaknesses: | A little play directly off the shelf. Creaks. Loosens up. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | used with raceface cranks. | | Bottom Line: | I was able to cure creaking and loosening problems by torquing beyond specs by 4-6 ft-lbs. Used loctite on the spindle face and anti seize on the cups. Once the bearings wore out I simply pressed the old ones off of the spindle and pressed new ones on for about $10. Much cheaper that buying even the cheapest BB. It has been bomb proof since. The cups have worn slightly from having to retighten. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from berkeley, ca
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | beautifully made, solid workmanship. took it apart after 2 yrs. expecting it to be thrashed. it was smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom. nice work. | | Weaknesses: | seal drag is high, but whaddya want? | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, cook bros. | | Bike Setup: | heckler w/lx cranks | | Bottom Line: | i'm 190#. this bb holds up like a steel unit and takes a lickin'. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | HARTSHORNE | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | light weight and smooth. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xtr | | Bike Setup: | jamis dakar team*manitou xvert-r*King h/s and hubs*kooka cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent product. 225 pound rider and no problems what so ever. a lot of hard miles on this b/b and I am now purchasing another one for new bike I am building. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Desmond
a Racer
from La Marque, Texas.
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Ruston, La. | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light weight,adjustable chainline, easy to fit using standard tools, extra seal in cups,smooth running, low drag. | | Weaknesses: |
Bearings may be a little too light for heavy riders, option of a heavy duty bearing might be a good idea | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano, and whatever that piece of junk that was that was in my bike when it was new. | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale, with Indy SL Rock Shock, Kooka cranks and rings. | | Bottom Line: | I have to say this bottom brkt. has done much better than the others I have used. The one that came on the bike when it was new only lasted a couple of weeks, the bike shop replaced that with a sealed Shimano, which made it for about a year before developing a lot of play and crunching noises. The World Class has been on the bike for about two years and until a few weeks back I never gave it a thought which is how it should be.My first sign of a problem was an occasional loud crack from somewhere in the drive train, then the big chain ring would start to rub on the front derailleur.The bearings still seemed to be turning smoothly but there was a lot of transverse play. I called up the people at World Class and they said to send it in by regular US. Post and they would take a look at it. I called them again after a couple of days to verify that they had it, they said they had replaced the bearings and it was already on its way back to me.
It seems that the inner race on one of the bearings had cracked allowing the spindle to slide from side to side.I have to say that getting this kind of no questions asked service is pretty rare these days, and this is after two years of hard use on the local Norba courses.I have not experienced any of the other problems mentioned and have used both Sugino, and more recently Kooka cranks and rings.Just for the record I weigh about 165lbs.I have to give these people max praise for this product and servce, plus I have not seen a bill, not even for the shipping. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LittleD
a Racer
from ColoradoSprings, CO
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Light Weight | | Weaknesses: |
Hard to set-up. Not sealed, bearings fail. | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Answer Manitou & Supergo Access Max | | Bottom Line: | Had to use loctite thread locker between crank (RaceFace) and Spindle, cups and bearings. Anti-Seize on cup and screw threads.When the Manitou got stolen I had finally dailed it in. I did notice the bearings got rougher everytime I had it apart.On the Supergo after 6 months and two rainy rides (with no bottom bracket dunking) the bearings seized. This also took a while to set-up. I'll let you all know how the warranty is handled. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam D
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light weight and no problems so far.
Instals with Shimano tool. | | Weaknesses: |
It costs alot | | Similar Products Used: |
Old style RF. | | Bottom Line: | No problems with this BB. It wasnt cheep, but
it works good.
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Submitted by
KEN
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA.
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Tsali State Park, NC | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light weight, smooth action. | | Weaknesses: |
Have had to tighten cranks arms a few times. A bit pricey but what Ti bb is isn't? | | Similar Products Used: |
First Ti BB | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR, XTR Groupo, Judy XC Long Travel. | | Bottom Line: | I am right at the weight limit for this BB and have had no problems. This piece has been bombed hard on trails all over GA, Tsali and even Moab with no glitches. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IH
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu, HI
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Easy to install, quality construction | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose Alta SX, Quadra 21R fork | | Bottom Line: | Only reason I posted is because product has been remarkably trouble-free. Installed it 2 years ago and have never taken it apart since. No creaks or anything. I ride pretty gnarly trails, and in all kinds of rain and mud. So far, so good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Couch
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kalama, WA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Siouxan | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Light, Strong, Durable,
High Quality. | | Weaknesses: |
Cost. | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Ti, Specialized Ti,
XT, LX, Raceface. | | Bike Setup: |
Ventana MPFS, Ti everywhere, XTR | | Bottom Line: | I bought this BB in 94 or 95 and I changed it after a year, thinking it could not last much longer since no others ever had. 3 months later, I put it back in to see if it had some more life left in it. I have moved it to each new Bike and have done nothing but wipe it off when I pull it
out. I use Ti-prep and have never had creaking or any other problem. Well worth the extra expense!
Recommend to everyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from victoria
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
the dump | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
This BB is light and has a sound design which is simple and in theory user friendly | | Weaknesses: |
Creak, creak creak.... | | Similar Products Used: |
sycros ti, shimano xt | | Bike Setup: |
uzzi sl, z1 bam | | Bottom Line: | I have mixed feelings on this product. I look at the construction and feel the super smooth bearings when it is out of the bike and I am impressed. I install it-it creaks and loosens off. I install it with teflon tape and it silences it for a while until it loosens off and begins creaking again. I re-tighten the cup probably tighter than it should go and it is silent again but for how long is the question. I have read all the other reviews here and some have solved this problem some haven't been able to. my friend has the same BB and weighs far more than I and he has had no problems whatsoever. He doesn't need teflon tape or anything at all. makes me wonder if quality control is a problem at world class. we'll see. Two rides on the re-torqued BB and only one or two creaks I have noticed so now only time will tell. If I have further problems I will re-post. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
homer
a Cross-Country Rider
from arkansas
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Weaknesses: |
no instructions for installation | | Similar Products Used: |
syncros, american classic | | Bottom Line: | Tried to install the thing with no instructions. Used Teflon tape but could not get the cups to tighten up without the spindle binding. The only way the spindle would spin freely was if the cups were hand tight. Did not think the bb would stay in the shell or not creak at that setting. Bearing look to be a little wimpy. Could not find manufacturers website info to ask questions. Burned again on aftermarket foofoo parts. Stick with Shimano Steel, install it and forget it. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a cross-country rider
from Fremont CA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
World Class bottom bracket I got this bottom bracket with a crossthreaded spindle so I retapped it and installed it only to have the worthless bearings sieze after 1 month of El Ninio spring riding.I called World Class 3 times only to get an answering machine.I left a message each time and never got a reply.Well now this piece of expensive shit sits in my budds bike shop with a do not waste your money sign.Do not waste your time and money with these LOSERS ,later see you all at the races. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford, Va
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Mine was mounted on a Trek Y-22 that I purchased used. The only creaking noises I've found yet from it after 5 months of heavy riding was from cracking the frame in the race. It's recieved absolutely no attention from me except when I switched cranks, and even then no adjustments were made to the cups. I'm not sure if the previous owner used any of the JerryRigging that's been described in here or not to install it, but I gotta give the thing five chilies. It's light, smooth, and hasn't given me a bit of trouble. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a cross-country rider
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: February 28, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Sorry world class, but this product takes way too much tinkering to get it right, but it doesn't stay right. Produce a product that doesn't require teflon tape, critical torque settings, Ti-prep, blah blah blah. Had mine for two years (on two bikes). Faced, chased and had a few brews at my LBS trying to get the karma right on this BB and I can only remember the first hour of a couple of rides without the loud, annoying creaking. ZERO chilis bros. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a weekend warrior
from OC, California
Date Reviewed: November 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bottom bracket rules. Yes it does creak but that is because tightening one cup will allow the other to spin. Tighten both cups together and the creaking will go away. Buy this! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a racer
from Wethersfield, CT
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I first installed this bottom bracket it didn't creak once. But after about a month of riding you could hear me from a mile a way. SOLUTION= teflon tape=no creaks. Also, you save almost a half a pound in weight, and the price is reasonable, if you get it from mail order. I think it's a good product, just remember the teflon tape. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Y
a cross-country rider
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think many of us including myself who are experiencing the creaking problem with this product may be due to not torquing the cups correctly. I noticed with my bottom bracket that the casing separated from the bearings on each side. Until I carefully tapped the bearings back into the casing and retightened the cups fully, then the creaking stopped for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a cross-country rider
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I inherited one of these bottom brackets on a used bike I purchased and the only problem I've experienced has been the maddening creaking on every pedal stroke. I took it to the LBS and they recommended to lube the spindle with anti-seize compound. Now when I ride all I hear is the wind whistling through the trees. Use the silver stuff for threaded titanium components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Walker
a cross-country rider
from Spokane, WA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As with some of the other reviewers, I had a lot of creaking and popping at first. THEN, I put the thing together right, using teflon tape on the cups and proper torque on the crankarm bolts. Now it's as quiet as my old Shimano was. It seems to be holding up to the elements quite well, but then I'm not as as extreme as some. Only four chilies since the proper way to install the BB should have been in the instructions -- otherwise a fine product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jochen
a cross-country rider
from Austria
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
WOW, what a bottom-bracket, creak, creak, I like this sound, and I also liked it at this 4 hours race when after 2 hours my cranks wanted to escape - really, no joke. I bought this bracket and installed White Ind. cranks on it - they made noise and got loose. Then there was this race: I didn´t want to loose my cranks, so I installed my old Shimano ones (I thought it was the fault of the cranks) - HAHAHA - after 1 hours there was just noise, and 1h later I had to kick the cranks upon the bracket every few minutes because I didnot wanna run.
This bottom bracket is really Wordl class - please let me quote zero Chili, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaase!!!!!!!
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Submitted by
Lois Segal
a cross-country rider
from Woodland Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Yes, it is light. Yes, it seems well made. Yes they say it is sealed. But no it is not. Thanks to El-nino we had some 40 inches of rain here this winter where I am in SoCal but I did not expect what happened to my six month old World Class bb. No, I don't dunk the bike in water crossings, the streams are not THAT deep but after it began creaking, I opened it up to find no lube in there, only dirt and pitted bearings! I tried repacking it but no use, it was worn badly and it rocked. So now I am trying a Race Face TI. If that doesn't work, I will go back to the old, not-sealed loose bearing (rebuildable!) type like the Dura-ace on my road bike that is 6 years old, on it's third set of bearings and just fine, thankyou! Can I leave the overall raiting here on Please Select since one star is too many? Oops, guess not. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy2Pants
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
A quality product at a decent price. Proper installation is important (as with any bb). Complaints about creaking, cups
unthreading, etc. are a sign of improper installation. The
bb shell MUST be faced before installation. The threads MUST
be chased. A torque wrench MUST be used. One note: I did
find that using Shimano recommended amount of torque on the cups
did produce a slight amount of cup/bracket distortion - use less
torque when tightening World Class cups. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hyland
a cross-country rider
from portland, or
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As far al I know my cas is isolated, but I had problems with the BB. First ride, the drive side cup unthreaded, two miles of pavement back to the truck, not two miles of singletrack. Second ride and after threadlock the non-drive unthreaded. The fifth and final ride on the BB and after a load of threadlock the non-drive unthreaded about 1/4 it's depth. It is ridiculous to ride with crankpullers, a bottom bracket tool and a 8mm allen wrench. Also in the NW a BB needs to have more seals, the bearings on mine began to rust. A flashy, pricey piece of nada. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Petty
a racer
from Warren R.I.
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had alot of problems with bbs but this one seems to be the end of all that. I received it over a year ago and just forgot about it no problems.I ride in New England were the mud and water can get fairly bad, add to that sand and parts wear out fast.Great bb I would buy another in a second. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a weekend warrior
from ca
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
a little flexy but not like other (tnt) ti bb i've used. seems to a good unit but i don't like the way the bearings are exposed so if you don't have a torque wrench, which most people don't you can easily over tighten the bb shell and damage the bearings. overtighten a little and you cause extra friction on the bb and it doesn't turn well. the thing that really bugs about this bb is that it creeks i have tried using tons of grease and it never went away. i hate a creeking bike!! there is nothing worse on a grueling ride when any little noise will piss you off!! i am now using a race face chromo bb. only 40grs. heavier but stiff and doesn't creek. race face is where its at!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pETTIT
a cross-country rider
from Northern California
Date Reviewed: January 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've ridden on the World Class Ti BB for a year and a half with no problems.
It's stiff, smooth, and light. I use steel crank bolts and Cook E cranks. Had trouble keeping Ti crank bolts tight. I've taken the bracket out once to inspect it, popped the cover off the bearings and added a little more grease. They hadn't really needed any service. I like this BB. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Rider
a cross-country rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Addemdum to my previous review:Replace the words World Class Hub with the words World Class Bottom Bracket. Thank you. I guess I need to make this fifty words or it won't get processed and I really want to correct my mistake so I will ramble on for just a little while longer in order to meet the requirement. That should do it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Rider
a cross-country rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think the 1 to 5 point (chili) system is too complex for some. Otherwise how would someone write that the World Class Hub is a good product and then give it one chili? I've had mine for 4 months with no problems. A friend has had one for 2 years with no problems. It's stiff, light, durable, and adjustable. That's all I need. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kila
a cross-country rider
from HI
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This BB is significantly lighter than a Shimano Cartridge. I like the ability to optimize the chainline to my
taste. The little O-rings inside the cups seemed to promise some durability. The ride was stiff enough for a
165lb rider until a sealed bearing went bad a month after installation. I notified World Class of my problem
over the telephone before sending the product back. After nearly a month, the parcel was returned by the
post office. Apparently, no one made the effort to pick up the item after two delivery notices. Good
product... lousy Customer Support. In the interim (which may be indefinite) I settled on a Shimano UN-72
BB which costs a third as much, and am very happy with it. Overall, the WC Titanium BB isn't worth its high cost. One cool pepper! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JB
a cross-country rider
from Black Hills of South Dakota
Date Reviewed: January 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I currently have 3 bikes at the homestead that have this bottom bracket. One 2 yrs old, one 1 1/2 yrs
and the third 1 yr. All have functioned flawlessly. The exception being the newest one, which was
completely submerged in muddy snow meltoff last spring. World Class serviced the BB (which was
filled with water) at no charge to me, not even return shipping. As far as creaking, had some on one
bike with Race Face LPs. A return to the XTRs remedied this (as a note, Race Face LPs are on the 1
1/2 yr BB, no probs). Completely happy with this product!
| | Overall Rating: |
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