Now a few things that came to my mind after all that recent research on bottom brackets. There is one problem with BBs and with other spares as well. We all believe that when we pay decent money for a part, we gonna get a decent quality part. Is it really thru? Not really. I've read so many opinions on BBs and I came to conclusion. It does not matter what bottom bracket you going to buy and how much money you going to spend on it, you won't get a guaranty

for quality. You just have to count on your luck. Why...?

 

The manufacturers seem to get as much money out of their products as it is possible but not the right way. They rather increase the price and cut the cost of manufacturing than increase quality and reliability to win customers' trust and respect.

The way to do it (on example of bottom brackets) is to buy a bulk of top end machine bearings but for 1/3 of its price. How? They buy high end bearings but B grade which are specified by manufacturer as the ones that have large margin of fault and cannot go into the precise machines. So they buy it and send it to Taiwan or China to be used for BBs. And this is why there is no rule for quality especially in such a demanding part as bottom bracket is. On the net you will find many opinions on BBs and every time they are the same. Look here ,or Here, or Here.

In really doesn't matter what brand you are looking for or what range of products the general rule is the same. Of course there are some exceptions but only to confirm the rule. You need luck to have a good BB as about 50% (or more) of bearings seem to be high end low quality bearings - paradox? Unfortunately this applies to most of spare parts.

Looks like the manufacturers forgot why they exist and who gives them bread. It is us guys. To be honest the only companies whom cares are the small ones. Created and run by people like us. So please do support them instead of giving your money to global monsters, eating your money and trying to sell you any shit, claiming it is the best you can get. Bullshit. This is a artificially created price wind up. If you into cycling for a long time you probably noticed how prices went up over the last 10 years, while they should go down. Same story with new bikes. You may ask "why?" as new parts or bikes are more complicated and new materials are used. This is how:

1. All big manufacturers supply and produce in Taiwan now - for a bowl of rice.

2. New technologies aren't more expensive. Ask yourself again: "What is the point for development of new ,more expensive technology for mass market?" No point at all. The new technologies that they claim to be more expensive are in reality more expensive for us and cheaper for them. The target is to keep people thinking they getting best stuff and worth money they paid for it. Nooooot (As Borat use to say )

3. New materials and new machines are created to be cheaper and easier in production, not other way around.

4. Get rid of competition on the market and make yourself big. Companies like i.e. Shimano or Specialized are buying off or destroying small companies. Small companies usualy can offer much better quality and more customised products and in most cases are run by people like us, riders and bike fanatics. There are many examples of this practice - just look around you.

They just growing to enormous size and the no longer listen to us. For them we are just ants they making the money off. They forgot all this is a passion driven. Passion of people like us. Take look how proud they are of their growth here .

Specialized wanted to take over, one of the small family companies, making bike suspension in US. They refused to sell it. So what Specialized did, they sued that company, claiming they used Specialized patented solutions in their products and forced them to pay deadly fine just to take them off the market. And they succeeded. Stratos is death. One of their hot products back in 2001/2002 That is sad. Probably we won't hear about them anymore.

5. Cease good inventions and innovations by buying patents and keep them off the market. Do you really think there is nothing better than standard mech, and sprockets drivetrain? Of course there is. Back in 1998 on bike show small company presented awesome solution for automatic drive for every bike. It was belt driven with two expandable belt rings instead of chain ring, mechs and sprockets. When you applying more power to the pedals as you getting heavy load on the rear wheel (i.e. uphill) Front ring is getting smaller while rear one bigger in diameter and as the load on the belt decreases front one expands and rear one collapses. No more grease; no messing around with setting everything up; no hassle; sand, dust water does not have any influence on it; super light - made of resistant plastic or composite - truly awesome invention. You may say: "why you never heard about it?" True. Because Shimano quickly bought the patent from the inventor, to keep it off the market. Otherwise it would mean bankruptcy even for a giant like Shimano and proving their idea to be obsolete and useless. Or they could just undertake the production of this device but what's the point for them? No point. They would need to scrap all the huge machines in their huge factories. All it counts now it's INCOME!!!!!

Shimano's Net sales for one quarter 2001 - $690 719 [Source]

Shimano's Net sales for one quarter 2007 - 1 461 394$ [Source]

 

What about struggle of G-Boxx to gain the market or Rohloff hubs. They were trying to convince many bike manufacturers to OEM deals but unfortunately most manufacturers have signed those agreements with either SRAM or Shimano on much better conditions, as giants like them can offer much better prices, just to win the market and kill off others, even if they are much better. Now I think, one company supports G-boxx seriously and it's Nicolai from Germany in Nucleon TST evo and Nucleon TFR

 

One more thing.

This time from my life. Back in time, something 2000 to 2004, I was designing my own frames. I was very close to open my own small manufacture to produce ultimate and custom frames with innovative designs. My designs were born on the trails and race tracks. I didn't make it -I mean with manufacture because of funds shortage, but still it was my big dream at that time. So I decided to get some large manufacturers interested with my designs and maybe get a job as a frame designer. I've sent out my projects to different, big manufacturers and was waiting with hope for a reply. Not even one of them replied. Instead I've received demolishing punch in the face next season, when one of those manufacturers started a mass production of my frame. (I'm not gonna name it as it could get me into trouble.) I've made a mistake. I didn't have my designs protected by a patent. I was convinced there are people -out there in those companies - who share the same passion like me. I didn't realise it is all about money. I was so upset that I sued them but of course I was a looser from the beginning as they can afford the best lawyers. At the end of the day I had to agree it was a coincidence and my designs never been delivered to the company. Also I needed to sign an official apologies for my allegations. How cool is that? I've cried - honestly I did. Asking myself question "How could they do it? How could they be like that and why?" and "Why was I so stupid" Now I know the answer...

So guys try to support small companies and don't let those giants to kill the scene and hold back all the good guys from further development.

KEEP THE REAL SCENE ALIVE SUPPORT SMALL COMPANIES WHENEVER YOU CAN!!!

BIKE POWER DUDE!!!