Search...

Short overview of threadless BB (press fit) standards

This post will give a short overview (list) of threadless (press fit) BB standards. For each BB standard, there is an overview intersection of the BB cartridge and frame’s BB shell where BB is inserted, followed by its dimensions. Look here for an explanation of all the different BB standards.


1. BB30

BB30 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
BB30 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Shell width: 68 mm for road, 73 mm for MTB.
  • Shell inner diameter (Shell ID from now on): 42 mm. BB30 bearings have the same, matching outer diameter of 42 mm.
  • Bearings press directly into the frame and stop at snap rings inside the BB shell. BB shell has snap ring groove at each side.
  • Designed for BB30 cranksets with spindle diameter of 30 mm. With use of adapters, cranksets with 24 mm spindle can be used (like Hollowtech II).


2. PF30 (PressFit 30)

PF30 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
PF30 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Shell width: 68 mm for road, 73 mm for MTB.
  • Shell ID: 46 mm.
  • PF30 uses the same bearings as BB30, with ID of 30 mm for spindles with a 30 mm diameter. The difference is that PF30 bearings are first pressed into plastic cups that are then pressed into the frame.
  • Designed for PF30 cranksets with spindle diameter of 30 mm. With use of adapters, cranksets with 24 mm spindle can be used.


3. BB86/92

BB86/92 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
BB86/92 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Shell width: 86.5 mm for road, 92 mm for MTB.
  • Shell ID: 41 mm.
  • Bearings are first pressed into plastic cups that are then pressed into the frame. The shell has a stepped profile, but there are no snap rings.
  • Designed for cranksets with spindle diameter of 24 mm, originally intended for external threaded cups, like Hollowtech II.


4. BB90/95

BB90/95 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
BB90/95 bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Used almost exclusively on Trek bicycles.
  • Shell width: 90.5 mm for road, 95.5 mm for MTB.
  • Shell ID: 37 mm.
  • Bearings are pressed directly into the frame. They stop at a raised step inside the frame BB shell bore. No snap rings used like on BB30.
  • Designed for cranksets with spindle diameter of 24 mm, originally intended for external threaded cups.


5. BBright Direct Fit

BBright bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
BBright bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Used exclusively on Cervelo bicycles.
  • Shell width: 79 mm (road standard only).
  • Shell ID: 42 mm.
  • BBright Direct Fit is a variant of BB30 bearings, with a wider shell and asymmetrically placed bearings (left one is moved by 11 mm more to the outside). Bearings press directly into the frame and stop at snap rings inside the BB shell.
  • Although it uses BB30 bearings, the shell is wider so it requires a BBrigh crankset with a longer spindle.


6. BBright Press Fit

BBright Press Fit bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
BBright Press Fit bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Used exclusively on Cervelo bicycles.
  • Shell width: 79 mm (road standard only).
  • Shell ID: 46 mm.
  • BBright Press Fit is a variant of BB30 bearings, with a wider shell and asymmetrically placed bearings (left one is moved by 11 mm more to the outside). Bearings are first pressed into plastic cups that are then pressed into the frame.
  • Although it uses BB30 bearings, the shell is wider so it requires a BBrigh crankset with a longer spindle.


7. 386EVO

386EVO bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
386EVO bottom bracket cartridge and BB frame shell intersection.
  • Shell width: 86.5 mm (road standard only).
  • Shell ID: 46 mm.
  • 386EVO is a variant of PF30 standard with a wider shell. Bearings are first pressed into plastic cups that are then pressed into the frame. Shell bore is smooth, and the outer (wider) lip of cups holding the bearings contacts the outside of the shell, keeping the bearings from sliding deeper into the shell.
  • Although it uses PF30 cups, the shell is wider so it requires a 386EVO crankset with a longer spindle.


8. Table – overview of threadless BB standards

StandardShell
width
Shell
ID
Snap
ring
Cups or
direct mount
Spindle
diameter
BB3068 / 73 mm42 mmyesdirect30 mm
PF3068 / 73 mm46 mmnocups30 mm
BB86/9286.5 / 92 mm41 mmnocups24 mm
BB90/9590.5 / 95.5 mm37 mmnodirect24 mm
BBright Direct Fit79 mm42 mmyesdirect30 mm
BBright Press Fit79 mm46 mmyescups30 mm
386 EVO86.5 mm46 mmnocups30 mm


Please use the BikeGremlin.net forum for any comments or questions.

If you've found any errors or lacking information in the article(s) - please let me know by commenting on the BikeGremlin forum.
You can comment anonymously (by registering with any name/nickname), but I think it is good to publicly document all the article additions (and especially corrections) - even if their author chooses to remain anonymous.

Tools and other products that I use (and can recommend)

Skip to content