Submitted by
Barry Leigh
a Weekend Warrior
from South Orange, NJ Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
gravel and paved trails at the park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
Niagara Cycle Works
Strengths:
Smooth.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
The stock "made at a dark and unnamed factory in Red China" BB. Whoa, what a piece of junk!
Bike Setup:
Kawasaki KDX2 Full suspension. 7-sp SRAM trigger shifters, derailleur and cassette. Shimano Tourney TX71 Crankset
Bottom Line:
My experience with the UN26 has, unlike some other folks,' been completely positive. The Shimano BB was a world of difference i.e. SUPERIOR, to the no name stock BB whose bolts constantly came loose. The UN26 crankbolts have not loosened one bit after six months of use, and I'm an extra large size rider. I suspect that Shimano will phase out this model sooner rather than later, even though Square Tapper BB owners swear by this "old school" technology and often see no appreciable advantage/improvement provided by Shimano splined or ISIS BBs. My only regret is that you can't get a Shimano Square Tapper BB with metal cups anymore (can you?). Then again, the UN26 is so affordable that you can easily buy a replacement if/when it wears out.
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Submitted by
Nick
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
any freeriding ones
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
super elliots
Strengths:
um.....yea......um....strengths?
Weaknesses:
EVERYTHING! this bb is a complete piece of F#$King sh!t!!. It came stock on my bike and after 3 weeks it started making this horribly clicking noise and the bolts kept coming loose that holds the crank on. Well when i take of the cranks wat do i find... the square taper in the crank has been chiseled out!!! replaced the bb under warrenty but had to buy new cranks even though it wasnt my fault. ANd now my new one is starting to click!!!. No matter wat i put on the bolts that hold the crank on meaning loctite, solastic bolt glue they still come f$%king lose.
This bottem bracket is a complete piece of trash. I dont understand why shimano still make crap square taper bb's and cranks. Ill be glad when i get my new 07 Kona stuff that has nice big oversized bearings that can actually take a 1/2 foot drop of a stair and not start clicking or make the cranks come loose! GO KONA AND OVER SIZED BB's
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Submitted by
AJ
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: March 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Clayton Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
stock oem
Strengths:
Average weight, low cost. lasts forever under average use
Weaknesses:
none noted
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
1997 gary fisher marlin
Bottom Line:
I have been riding this bike off road for 6 months and had no problem with it. Im pretty sure it is the stock BB. I only recently removed it because I am replacing the chain and crankset due to stretch and broken teeth, so i bought a new UN26 BB as well.
I can feel a little roughness when spinning the spindle by hand compared to the new one. but its 10 years old. So I would say its done a good job. for a XC hardtail bike it is well suited for the application.
I will review my new one once i get some milage on it.
$
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