Bottom bracket standards

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Nowadays, there is a large selection of frames available on the market, and with it comes a wide range of bottom bracket standards. It’s important to know what frame format you are using to ensure compatibility with your power2max and to choose the right model. Below, we show you how to determine the bottom bracket standard of your frame and give recommendations on which model to choose for which frame type.

 

How to determine the bottom bracket standard of your frame

Using the following three simple steps you can determine the bottom bracket standard of your bike, which will help you choose the right power2max:

1. Does your frame have external bearing cups?
Many frames have external bearing cups that are screwed into the frame, like in the picture below:
Aussenliegend

If this is the case on your bike, then you have a BSA or ITA threaded frame. If there are no external bearing cups, then the bearings are either pressed into the frame, or you are using a threaded frame with a square taper or Octalink axle.

 

2. How wide is your frame at the bottom bracket? 

If your frame doesn’t have external bearing cups, then you should measure the width of the frame at the bottom bracket, like in the picture above. The most common bottom bracket widths are 68mm (BB30 and PF30), 79mm (Cervlo BBRight), 86mm (BB86 or BB386EVO) and 90mm (BB90 by Trek).

 

3. How large is the diameter of the bottom bracket bore?

The next step is to determine the diameter of the bottom bracket bore, as pictured below:

lagermasse
The diameter of the bottom bracket bore is the last piece of information that you need to determine which type of frame you have. The inner diameter of the bottom bracket bore is 37mm on BB90 frames, 41mm on BB86 frames, 42mm on BB30 frames, and 46mm on PF30 and BB386EVO frames.

Compatibility with power2max and recommended models

You only need to check compatibility on BB86 and BB386EVO frames, all other frame formats are always compatible with power2max. To check compatibility, please measure the  outer diameter of the bottom bracket bore. It should not exceed 53mm to ensure compatibility with power2max.

Bottom bracket standard Compatibility with power2max Recommended model
BB30 Yes Rotor 3D+, Rotor 3DF, BOR RR688, Tune Smart Foot, Lightning
BB386 EVO Check! Rotor 3D+, Rotor 3DF, BOR RR688, Tune Smart Foot
BB86 Check! FSA Gossamer, FSA K-Force Light, Rotor 3D
BB90 Yes FSA Gossamer, FSA K-Force Light, Rotor 3D
BBRight Yes Rotor 3D+, Rotor 3DF, BOR RR688, Tune Smart Foot
BSA Yes FSA Gossamer, FSA K-Force Light, Rotor 3D
ITA Yes FSA Gossamer, FSA K-Force Light, Rotor 3D
PF30 Yes Rotor 3D+, Rotor 3DF, BOR RR688, Tune Smart Foot, Lightning

As a last step, please check that you have the right bottom bracket for the crank of your choice. We wish you a lot of fun with your new power2max!

 

Technical data of the most common bottom bracket standards

1. Road

Bottom bracket standard Bearings inboard / outboard Frame width at the bottom bracket Bearing installation Inner diameter of the bottom bracket bore Compatibility with power2max
BB30 Inboard 68 mm Pressed in: bearing directly into the frame 42 mm Yes
BB386 EVO Inboard 86 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame 46 mm Check!
BB86 Inboard 86 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame 41 mm Check!
BB90 Inboard 90 mm Pressed in: bearing directly into the frame 37 mm Yes
BBRight Inboard 79 mm Pressed in: bearing directly into the frame 42 mm Yes
BSA Outboard 68 mm Screwed in: external bottom bracket cup 33,8 mm Yes
ITA Outboard 70 mm Screwed in: external bottom bracket cup 35 mm Yes
PF30 Inboard 68 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame 46 mm Yes

2. Mountain bike

Bottom bracket standard Bearings inboard / outboard Frame width at the bottom bracket Bearing installation Recommended cranks Compatibility with power2max
BB30 Inboard 68 mm Pressed in: bearing directly into the frame Rotor 3D+
Rotor 3DF
BOR XC666		 Yes
BB386 EVO Inboard 86 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame Rotor 3D+
Rotor 3DF
BOR XC666		 Check!
BB92 Inboard 92 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame Rotor 3D Check!
BB95 Inboard 95 mm Pressed in: bearing directly into the frame Rotor 3D Yes
BSA Outboard 73 mm Screwed in: external bottom bracket cup Rotor 3D Yes
ITA Outboard 70 mm Screwed in: external bottom bracket cup Rotor 3D Yes
PF30 Inboard 68 mm Pressed in: delrin plastic cup into the frame Rotor 3D+
Rotor 3DF
BOR XC666		 Yes
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