[0110-M-P]

I just picked up a set of used Saint 83mm M815-1 cranks with no bottom bracket. Is there any reason I should go with one brand's external bottom bracket (Shimano, Raceface, FSA, MRP, etc) over another company's bottom bracket (excluding the high end $100+ bottom brackets)?

Right now I am primarily looking at the Raceface X-Type DH BB primarily because I can get a new one for $37 shipped. The cheapest I can find the Saint bottom bracket is $49 shipped.

 

[Verskis]

FSA bottom brackets have much worse sealed bearings than Shimano bb's, I'd avoid them.
And I have also heard similar stories of Raceface bb's, so I think your best bet is to use Shimano bb.

I replaced my seized FSA 83mm bb (not Quad bearing version) with Shimano XT 73mm bb, I just used the plastic tube spacer from the FSA and the cups from the XT, works wonderfully.

 

[Udi]

The Shimano unit uses better seals and bearings. I would spend the extra personally.

There is some detailed information in this thread and a good article here which will answer all your questions.

 

[ZoRo]

I'm pretty sure you can't use a X-Type Race Face bb on a shimano crank. Proprietary interfaces.

For 10$ more, stick with shimano, they make killer bb(s). I've had a saint bb for 4 years and its still going strong today. You can also go SLX, a bit cheaper. Only difference is the thread depth. Saint bbs have longer driveside threads in order to accomodate bb mounted chainguides and still maintain a deep thread insertion. The difference is marginal and not important unless you plan hucking bender like cliffs.

 

[Verskis]

I'm pretty sure you can't use a X-Type Race Face bb on a shimano crank. Proprietary interfaces.

Yes you can, they have the same axle diameter.
The crank/axle interface is proprietary, but that has nothing to do with bottom brackets.

 

[0110-M-P]

The Shimano unit uses better seals and bearings. I would spend the extra personally.

There is some detailed information in this thread and a good article here which will answer all your questions.

Thanks for the info. I do, however, find it hard to believe that the bottom brackets have not changed in the 6 years since that thread/article. Some more recent data would be nice.

 

[Udi]

I've owned the Shimano offerings since before that article until now - the design has remained essentially unchanged, and lifespan seems to be consistent. I haven't owned RF offerings to comment on those.

In fairness, we're also talking about a $12 difference - surely not a huge deal. As suggested above, you can also use the cheaper XT or SLX offerings that are essentially the same aside from shorter thread depth on drive side, which I haven't found to be an issue.

 

[0110-M-P]

I don't doubt that the Shimano hasn't changed much if at all (don't fix what isn't broke), but if the Raceface was that inferior, then they might have changed. Also, I can't go the XT route because I need the 83mm dust shield as well.

I agree with the $12 difference statement though...might as well just get the Saints.

 

[EVRAC]

Saint is the way to go. Best performance and durability for the price, for sure.