Submitted by
Mick
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Cycleways Dublin
Strengths:
Only have it a coupla hours, it feels really smooth
Weaknesses:
But it's already started to creack, and squeak halfway through a rotation
Similar Products Used:
truvativ giga pipe...3 years
Bike Setup:
Cowan, Pikes, Combats
Bottom Line:
Not impressed with it aready squeaking, am going to return it tomoro
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Downhiller
from Rome Italy Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lavagno
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Installed it correctly,and it simply works. no play, no noise, no fault at all for two years. Outlasted the RaceFace I had previously by a year
Weaknesses:
None..
Similar Products Used:
RaceFace (mediocre at best), Shimano (complete and utter rubbish --but you knew that)
Bike Setup:
Tomac 204, Marz 888 WC, blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
It worked flawlessly for almost two years of downhilling. Now it is time to replace, but I got two solid years out of it, no play, no problems.. I don't know what these people are doing to them to have bearing probs, unless they are spraying degreaser as the bearing seals, or powerwashing the crap out of them. This has gone through mud, dust.. blah blah blah.. I have no idea how many DH runs.. and yes, I do a fair bit of pedling in between on it to keep in shape.. I've had nothing for probs at all.. Now, after 2 years, there is a slight bearing noise.. I've already ordered another one.. the last one was excellent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Edmonton Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
60
Strengths:
I installed the Platinum DH bb a couple months ago when I installed the e.13DRS chainguide and needed a longer spindle. Since then, I rode 3 days at Panorama, and 2 days at Fernie. So far, no complaints. It seems to do what it's supposed to. Spins smooth, feels strong enough. I'm 5'10", 230lbs, I ride pretty aggressive on technical trails, and hit 3-6' jumps, and no problems yet.
Weaknesses:
I dunno, I guess we'll see how it holds out over the next year.
Bike Setup:
2002 Giant AC2, RockShox rear shox, 05 Sherman Flick Fork, Race Face cranks, 2 ring w/e.13 DRS chainguide.
Bottom Line:
I guess everyone says it's has no life, so I guess we'll just see how mine holds out. So far so good though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt McDermott
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethlehem, PA Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
spun smooth for the time that i used it. didn't have it long enough to tell much else.
Weaknesses:
total garbage. broke in half after 3 or 4 months of light urban assault use. wouldn't recommend even to my worst enemy.
Bike Setup:
Aluminum No-Name Frame, Manitou Six Front Fork, Haro X1 Stem, Truvativ Riser Bars, Truvativ Five-D Cranks, Mosh Bikes Platform Pedals, Maxxis Holy Rollers, ODI Ruffian Lock-on Grips
Bottom Line:
started to get a lot of slop after about 3 months of use, then at four months decided it would snap completely in half as i was dropping off of a SMALL curb whilst riding through town. if you ride hard AT ALL i wouldnt recommend this bracket in the least.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from canada Date Reviewed: February 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
shubie
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
price point
Strengths:
works well, light, ISIS.
Weaknesses:
little creaky (could be the frame), but none really.
Similar Products Used:
shimano? model though
Bike Setup:
Avid disc (m), Sram X9, Race Face turbine,
Bottom Line:
Great product! sorry reviewers i only bought it as a package with my raceface crank. but i am pleased! 2000 km and going lots of pounding (im 200lbs 6ft) ride hard and fast. this crank took it. Maybe the other guys do need a 3 piece.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Einbeck, Germany Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Great Divide Cyclery
Strengths:
Looks?
Weaknesses:
Bearing life, seals
Similar Products Used:
Several Shimano BBs
Bottom Line:
This BB blows!!!! I used it for a whopping 6 mo and it is toast. At max it got 500 miles out of it. The seals are "new & improved"? How friggin' stupid does FSA think we are?
I am riding XC almost exclusively, in all kinds of weather. I NEVER direct the hose onto bearings when I clean the bike - all to no avail. The bearings are shot due to dirt & grit in them. Since the BB was hot anyway I took it apart to get a closer look. Well, no wonder dirt & water get into the shell: the "seals" are cheap rubber thingies and the axle at the contact point is everything but smooth so that no effective seal can develop. In addition, the bearings are cheapo crap.
If FSA needs some idea how to build a good BB they can contact me. For heaven's sake, take at least good quality cartridge bearings with seals on both sides. I do not care if it gets a little pricier.
The sad part is that the Shimano cheap ES-30 BB in my other bike lasts for 4 years now with NO problems. That's what I got for buying "premium"...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Squamish, BC Date Reviewed: July 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Labour of Love
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Corsa Cycles
Strengths:
Set and forget for the year I've ridden it
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Truvative DH BB
Bike Setup:
Hussefelts (recent cheap replacement for Prodigy DH's that lasted me 2.5 years) on a Transition Dirtbag with an '03 Slider, EX729/D321 wheelset, Michelins, etc.
Bottom Line:
All the reviews are terrible, and I've been happily riding along for a year now with no troubles from my Platinum BB. OK, given, I don't go huge (5-6'), but I'm not small (6'5", 190#) and am fairly hard on equipment. Was there a bad batch of these? Am I just lucky? Or should the previous reviewers all be riding cro-mo 3-piece cranks and not trying to skimp?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine, CA USA Date Reviewed: July 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Yup
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
I was told they were cheap but strong...
Weaknesses:
Cheapo
Similar Products Used:
RaceFace Evolve, Truvative (what I have now)
Bike Setup:
Freeride hardtail w/ 6 single crown fork
Bottom Line:
Bought this b/c it was recomended to me as durable (by the shop). 3months of use and SNAP... busted.
Bottom Line - Warrenty is going to help me pay for a new Truvative...for myother bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Pallett
a Racer
from London, UK Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Absolute rubbish piece of equipment. Replaced after only 400 miles of road racing/competition because of slight play and a screaming horrible intermittant noise when pushing hard, especially on the hills.
Bike Setup:
Cervélo Soloist
Bottom Line:
Don't touch with a barge pole.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stu Gilbert
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton ,Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
still on the hunt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
The fact it hold my crank arms on
Weaknesses:
absoutle everything else
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Vertex30 stock
Bottom Line:
the bearings are the worst part about this thing in 2.5 weeks its destroyed. dont waste your money. if I could it would rate as a 0
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eddy
a Downhiller
from washinton Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
beacon spokane
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
web
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
every thing lots of play crank bolts always come loose
Similar Products Used:
race face
Bike Setup:
super 8
Bottom Line:
save you money although if you need a cheap temporarey it will problay work for a week or two
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik Kellison
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, WA, US Date Reviewed: December 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Platinum
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$7.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Decent weight
Weaknesses:
Bearing play develops prematurely
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Evolve FR
Bike Setup:
Bullit w/ Super T, Holzfeller cranks, flat pedals
Bottom Line:
This BB developed play after only 4 or 5 real rides. However, since then, it has not gotten worse, and I have (almost) learned to live with it. My pedals have also developed a bit of play, so between the two of them, it's kind of annoying. Just a matter of which to fix/replace first. I am looking at a FSA Platinum Pro Ti to replace it because it has an extra bearing, and is lighter still. My Race Face BB didn't develop play, it tightened up until the friction was unbearable. At least the FSA still spins like it did from day one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
king
a
from Quezon City, Philippines Date Reviewed: November 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
looks nice and shiny when new
Weaknesses:
weak bearings
Similar Products Used:
travativ sl, fsa ultimax
Bike Setup:
hardtail, xt 8speed
Bottom Line:
crap. mine developed play in less then 4 mos. this makes it the fourth ISIS bb i've used in the past two years. they're all crap. i'm now about to test their warranty since they state that :
"Full Speed Ahead Isis Drive and square taper bottom brackets are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship or bearing failure for two years from date of purchase.
Forty-Eight tooth spline bottom brackets are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship or bearing failure for one year from date of purchase."
let's see...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristian
a Downhiller
from HELSINKI Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
Strengths:
You can install cranks to it...
Weaknesses:
Weak bearings - generated play in one month.
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ Gigapipe DH
Bike Setup:
http://www.steelduck.com/public/heckler/index.htm
Bottom Line:
The BB has worked as it should for 1 month, but it has now developed some play. First I thought it was getting loose, but I took it off my bike cleaned everything and put it back using a torquewrench and it still has play. ie. I can feel it while I pedal and if take a firm hold of both crankarms and wiggle - I can feel the "play". I am not very impressed of the FSA quality (dying in 1 month of use) I ride quite rough trailriding and light freeriding, but nothing HUGE. The BB might be good for XC, but not for my kind of riding. I think I have to try something with 4 bearings again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol,CT USA Date Reviewed: September 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Have to say none. It does not last at all
Weaknesses:
Bearings. Drive side. Always. ISIS drive side bearings suck A$$. No manufacturer has made a durable ISIS BB yet.
Similar Products Used:
Truvatic, Race Face, FSA.. Many many ISIS BB's in the last 3 years.
Bike Setup:
2004 Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
Forget ISIS. I am really considering going back to square Taper BB's. The new outboard bearing type cranksets don't look mych better. They have bigger bearings BUT they creak like mad accoring to many, and loosen up. I bought into ISIS because of the consistent chainline and stiff cranks when tightening the unit. But the damn BB drive side bearings BLOW. Longest lasting BB was a cheap Truvativ SL unit for $30. It lasted almost a year. Everything else is toast before 3 months. The FSA Platinum Pro last a whole 6 weeks or so. Wonderful....... I don't care how good a warranty there is, it should be designed to last XC riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from York, North Yorkshire Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Glentress
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
chain reaction
Strengths:
Loked good, not rediculously priced and reasonably light...
Weaknesses:
oh dear oh dear oh dear!! bearings made of cheese!
Similar Products Used:
All of the ISIS FSA BB's, and a RaceFace Evolve
Bike Setup:
SWorks Enduro,
Bottom Line:
F***in shoddy equipment again... between me and 2 mates we have gone through 9 of these damned things in less than a year, yes we are very XC only!!! Even the gys at chain reaction cycles got sick of replacing them and told us to "upgrade" to a race face evolve which was a hell of a lot beter!!
lasted 3 months if you where lucky - the drive side bearing is just rubbish - it is always that waht goes..
Vote with your feet folks - dont buy this crap!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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