Description
This is the workhorse of the Campy BB line-up for square taper Campagnolo cranksets that require 102mm spindle lengths, such as Record and Chorus.
As with all Chorus grade products, this BB receives high quality bearings and a brilliant finish. Alloy cups are precisely machined with perfect threads that will install smoothly. Asymmetrical bearing placement has two bearings on the drive side for maximum strength and one on the non-drive side. The hollow axle is machined to perfect spec then treated for durability and longevity. The taper on the axle is specifically made for Campagnolo cranksets and will not work with any other brand.
Please keep in mind that the BSC thread has a driveside cup that threads counter-clockwise in the shell, while the Italian threads clockwise. The difference is not simply in BB shell widths. For many older frames a light threadlocking compound can be mandatory on the Italian driveside cup, as it can back itself out with pedaling action.
Return to TopFeatures
- Threaded bottom bracket unit for Campagnolo square taper interface cranksets
- Light alloy shell
- 3 asymmetrically placed cartridge bearings
- Aluminum cups
- Heat treated hollow steel axle
- Installation/removal requires the Campy UT-BB080 tool or Park BBT-5/FR-11
- Choose from BSC (68x102) or Italian (70x102) threading
- 220 grams
- Made in Italy
Reviews
Average Rating:
Anonymous
Posted on September 16, 2014 Rate:
I have over 20,000 miles on mine and still going.
Anonymous
Posted on October 27, 2007 Rate:
I bought my chorus BB 6 years ago. I ride at least 7-9k miles a year, so it must have at least 42,000 miles on it. I’m still using the same one today. I live in LA, CA by the beach, so there is a risk for heavy corrosion; however, bi-annual removal and re-greasing the cups has seemed to work great. I don’t know what some of these other guys are doing, but I feel as if I could get another 5-10 years out of this thing. Longest lasting bike part I’ve ever bought. In comparison to my FSA Mega-Exo BB, which I’ve owned and ONLY raced on for two seasons, the chorus is light years ahead in longevity of life and bearing friction. I could spin my chorus BB for at least a minute with just quick touch of my finger. The FSA needs a bit a slap to get spinning.
Tech:
My weight: 140lbs
Approx Miles per year: 8,000
Weather Conditions: Some rain, moist salty air, slight salt water
Rider Type: mostly spinning, climbing, some mashing, road/crit racing
No play, spins freely,
Anonymous
Posted on July 30, 2007 Rate:
The rubber seals are about shot now, but I’ve been running this BB on my Merlin for nearly 10 years. I easily have over 50,000 miles on it. Granted, I keep this particular bike out of the NW rain, but my Chorus BB is kept cleaned up, properly torqued, and the threads well greased. Money’s worth? You bet.
Anonymous
Posted on June 4, 2007 Rate:
I have had two Chorus BBs now. Both have failed to survive a single British winter. In both cases, water has ingressed and destroyed the bearings. Compared to Shimano BBs, this is a very disappointing product. I am now considering replacing the whole chainset so that I don’t have to buy another Chorus BB.
Anonymous
Posted on November 8, 2006 Rate:
I’ve had two first failed after one wet winter, then I discovered that the BB drainhole was blocked. Second one has done 3 winters and about 4000 miles. Good as new. Moral of story keep it drained of water.
The only difference between Record and Chorus B is the Chorus alloy sleeve is replaced with a carbon sleeve saving a few grams.
Anonymous
Posted on August 12, 2006 Rate:
I rebuilt my bike I purchased with 10 speed Chorus recently (the parts were placed on an older bike since they still worked fine). The only thing I kept on my frame was the bottom bracket and brake calipers. After 5 1/2 years and about 4000 miles per year, I hear some clicking which I believe is in the bottom bracket. With that kind of longevity, I am extremely happy. I just wish the bottom brackets were more serviceable.
Anonymous
Posted on December 3, 2005 Rate:
I’ve had the same Chorus BB on a succession of three Cannondales over five years and it is finally starting to show signs of wear (creaking, regardless of how often I have been checking torque) with over 10k miles on it. Otherwise, it has been trouble and service free. I wonder if recent runs of the BB’s have poorer quality control. Seems like some folks have seen theirs self-destruct while others have no trouble at all.
Anonymous
Posted on June 7, 2005 Rate:
I too have experienced this "disintegration" of the Chorus bottom bracket. Almost looks like a mouse had knawel at it, mainly around the edges of the aluminum cups. I have been riding Campy for 20 years and working on bikes for the same amount of time and never seen this happen on any other bottom bracket, Campy or Shimano. I have gone through two in less than 5000 miles, but also live in the Northeast and have harsh winter conditions and road chemicals that may attribute to the breakdown. Other than that it installs easy and is smooth as silk, and not going to change my Campy loyalty as they still make a great product ! Remember for those experiencing looseness to always add a bit of Lactate to the threads as I have never had mine come loose.
Anonymous
Posted on April 20, 2005 Rate:
Easy installation, stiff enough, smooth enough, priced reasonably, have used 2 of them. 1 for about 10,000K, one for 8000K, both still working like new. I can’t tell any difference through the pedals between this and the Record BB, although it may be measurable somehow. Extremely maintenance free.
Peter Rhodes
Posted on March 18, 2005 Rate:
I’m going to have to disagree with the other review. I’ve had versions of this bottom bracket in 3 of my bikes for the past 8 years. The oldest one is now 5 years old and has probably 20-25,000 miles into it. It is probably time to replace it, but there have been no problems with loosening, noise, or failure of any sort.
I have one that is one a commuter bike that has lasted only about 3 years, but that one sits outside in the winter and probably had water freeze inside of it at some point. It is quiet and smooth, but it has finally developed some play in it.
I’d recommend this bottom bracket to anyone.
Anonymous
Posted on January 4, 2005 Rate:
I’ve been riding Campy for the past 4 years (+/- 7k miles), and must admit that the bb is Campy’s weak link: I’ve just had to replace it after it self-destructed...and this after countless returns to the shop to tighten, adjust, repack, inspect the darn thing because of noise, play, and just general POOR reliability and dependability. I rode Ultegra for 7 years without so much as a hiccup. Pity.... When it is adjusted and working properly, the bb is sweet; but the time off the bike and the frustrations of noise, looseness, and finally complete disintegration is not worth it. And the frustrating thing is that I cannot use anything other than Campy without having to replace the entire crankset!