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BH Bikes and FSA have linked up for the creation of another bottom bracket standard – the BB386.
Set to be unveiled at the Sea Otter Classic on Firday April 15th, there’s no sneak peak we can offer as yet, but the manufacturers have said: "The new BB386 EVO system integrates the benefits of oversized, 30-millimeter spindle designs into a new-standard bottom bracket shell, which greatly enhances stiffness and overall performance characteristics."
Performance benefits are said to be an enhanced stiffness at the BB and power transfer.
Compatible with all current bottom bracket systems, the BB386 claims to be the next evolution of the BB30 and the manufacturers are now offeirng the tech to the rest of the industry. Willier seem to be an early adopter, featuring the new BB on its line-topping 799, according to this Italian Cycling Journal blog post.
Chris Cocalis, the founder of Pivot and man behind BH Bikes have told BikeRumor:
"It does NOT have mountain bike applications because it needs a 46mm BB hole (same as PF30 but wider, x 86.5), so it wouldn’t have clearance for the small chainring. Because of the wide stance of this new BB shell standard, there’s not room for any pivots on full suspension bikes. As for 2×10, it could theoretically work, but the bike would have to built such that it could never run a triple chainring, which at this point in time doesn’t really make sense."
If you’re at the Sea Otter, be at the pub tent at 3pm on the 15th for the official launch.
