I have lurked here for 4 years and finally had a question that I cannot find a clear answer to, so.... first post....

For a bike build (picture 3rd world expedition), I bought an MTB Enduro ceramic Bottom Bracket from Enduroforkseals.com because I wanted ceramic bearings and I like their seals. It is the same as FSA BB9000 or BB7000. I am looking for some cranks...

Anyways, they list the compatible cranks as follows:

Moto-X
V-drive
Afterburner
Team Issue MTB
K-Force MTB (but not K-Force light)

IMHO that is a limited selection. surely there are some other manufacturers making a compatible crank. Can someone clear up whether Hollowtech II/ and/or Race Face X-type can possibly work with a MegaExo BB? 24mm spindle...?

A different direction: Does anyone make an adapter to run square taper with the MegaExo bottom brackets? Cuz that would be sweet for the ultimate in bearing reliability and crank availability.

If you want to help me shop, I'm looking for strong cranks with reinforced pedal eyes for running with my Rohloff. And not some 500 dollar set either. mr whirly is a bit out of my range...

THANKS!!!

No and no.

 

i have the fsa vdrive on one of my bikes and they seem pretty nice.

 

No and no.

If it is compatible with the Afterburner, V-Drive, and Moto-X cranksets then it should work just fine with Shimano and Race Face. And though FSA "claims" that the Team Issue and K-Force require a special BB, they are lying and that has been admitted to me by a rep. As proven by Enduro (along with King who says their BB works fine as well) the Alloy and the Carbon XC cranksets all work with the same Shimano compatible standard EXCEPT the K-Force Light.

 

If it is compatible with the Afterburner, V-Drive, and Moto-X cranksets then it should work just fine with Shimano and Race Face. And though FSA "claims" that the Team Issue and K-Force require a special BB, they are lying and that has been admitted to me by a rep. As proven by Enduro (along with King who says their BB works fine as well) the Alloy and the Carbon XC cranksets all work with the same Shimano compatible standard EXCEPT the K-Force Light.

The second no still stands. There is no square taper spindle that works with external bearing cups.

I also think the OP's basic component choices need to be reconsidered for a 3rd world expedition.

 

The second no still stands. There is no square taper spindle that works with external bearing cups.

I also think the OP's basic component choices need to be reconsidered for a 3rd world expedition.

Agreed

The ultimate in reliability IMO would be a rebuildable square taper like the old ones with cup and cone bearing setups that can be field serviced along with either an old Shimano XT or current Sugino XD 600 crankset.

 

Thanks for the replies...

So I CAN use some non-FSA cranks with the MegaExo BB. Interesting...

Interesting points about the cup/cone BB for 3rd world, too. Serviceability is definitely an issue to consider. However, there is a thread on servicing outboard bearing BBs: servicing outboard bearings that makes it seem quite easy with minimal tools and less wear/tear on the spindle/crank interface as you might see with square taper. the only real difference about accessing the bearings to service them is how to get past the seals. older style cup and cone are not sealed as well, so need more frequent servicing.

a friend of mine said that outboard bottom brackets collect grit faster than sealed internal style, so that is an argument to go square-taper as well.

if the BB craps out entirely, anybody who has another bottom bracket for sale will probably have a crankset to go with it. at that point i cuold switch to whatever is available.

 

The Mega Exo BB for alloy cranks will work with Shimano/Race Face without issue.

The Mega Exo BB for the carbon cranks use a different size bearing and is not compatible with Shimano/Race Face stuff.

 

the bottom brackets are like $40 just buy 1 or 2 extra for spares

 

The Mega Exo BB for alloy cranks will work with Shimano/Race Face without issue.

The Mega Exo BB for the carbon cranks use a different size bearing and is not compatible with Shimano/Race Face stuff.

Only the K-Force Light uses a different bearing size (basically road size)...the K-Force and Team Issue use the same size bearings as the alloy cranks. The only difference between the carbon FSA (not counting the K-Force Light) and the alloy FSA is how the non-drive bearing is loaded. The alloy versions use the same method as the Shimano cranks, the Carbon cranks use a crush washer to load the bearing...that is it.

Same width, same inner diameter, same outer diameter

 

that is good solid information. thanks! i was having a hard time getting that confirmation anywhere online.

 

Only the K-Force Light uses a different bearing size (basically road size)...the K-Force and Team Issue use the same size bearings as the alloy cranks. The only difference between the carbon FSA (not counting the K-Force Light) and the alloy FSA is how the non-drive bearing is loaded. The alloy versions use the same method as the Shimano cranks, the Carbon cranks use a crush washer to load the bearing...that is it.

Same width, same inner diameter, same outer diameter

I had an issue installing a Team carbon crank into a Shimano BB. It was way too tight, even with a little nudge from the palm of my hand. So I had to order a new FSA BB.