Technique

BB386EVO: a step forward in the evolution of racing bicycles

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: FSA

Published on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 19:36

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Innovation in the bicycle industry has been marked in recent years by fuller integration and new standards. Wilier Triestina has been a major player, with the Cento1 setting the bar in frame design three years ago. Part of that development included our 93mm wide integrated oversize bottom bracket, which achieved an unprecedented stiffness in a crucial part of the frame, while being compatible with all major traditional cranksets.

For 2012 this evolution continues with the creation of our new standard, the BB386EVO. The goal was to create an integrated system that would allow us to use the widest and stiffest possible BB shell with the stiffest possible crankset to take efficiency to the next level - maximum power transfer and zero wasted energy.

The Cento1 BB is wide and stiff, but it only accepts traditional cranksets, which have a 24mm diameter steel or titanium spindle. BB30 cranks have a stiffer and lighter 30mm diameter alloy spindle, but their drawback is that they require a more narrow 68mm wide BB shell on the frame, which we feel is not wide enough to be super stiff.

What we came up with is the BB386EVO system. It is a new bottom bracket system that can be used in conjunction with a special crankset that was developed in collaboration with FSA. The BB shell is 86.5mm wide and has a 46mm diameter opening. The crank has the 30mm diameter alloy spindle we wanted, but has a longer length for our extra wide shell. Press-fit polymer bearings are used to precisely fit the spindle and ensure exact tolerances.

This special FSA crank offers the maximum stiffness and function for this BB system, but it is not required. All major cranksets are compatible with the use of adapters. Moreover, the FSA crank is compatible with a traditional 68mm BB with the use of threaded cups.

The BB386EVO system will first be implemented as the highlight of the next Wilier Triestina superbike, the Zero.7. “Results yielded in testing surprised even us,” explains Michele Gastaldello, head of research and development. “In the laboratory, stiffness in the Zero.7 bottom bracket area proved at least 30% superior to all of the standard BB30 systems we analyzed. The frame itself weighs less than 800 grams, so we are proud to announce the creation of a bike that will absolutely empower riders to conquer whatever challenges come their way.”