DZ_Matt wrote:
scott8888 wrote:
jaretj wrote:
I noticed that the 2019 Felt IA series have an FSA Mega Exo bottom bracket.
Does that mean they've gone back to threaded?
Edit:
I see on the 2020 IA advanced it says Shimano Hollowtech BSA threaded
The MegaExo is a threaded BB designed for 24mm cranks like Shimano. Manufacturers spec over the Shimano BBs because they are dirt cheap but my experience is you get what you pay for. The good news is when they fail after < 1 year you can put in a standard Shimano BB which will last a lot longer.
Ok, I'm completely illiterate when it comes to BB's. I feel like I'm a decent mechanic for my own bikes but BB's baffle me for some reason. I have a 2019 IA10 (regretting not going for the IA3 for a few extra hundred $$ but that's another topic), which came with A Vision Trimax crank and MegaExo BB. From what I understand, that's a 24mm diameter spindle inserted into the MegaExo BB, correct? And The MegaExo BB reduces from a 30mm BB shell down to 24, correct?
I'm in the market for a 165mm crankset, and would either have to find a crankset compatible with MegaExo BB (can't seem to find many, or see above comment about BB illiteracy), or get another crank brand compatible with a BB30 bottom bracket and have a different BB30 bottom bracket installed?
Any suggestions on common BB/crankset combinations used on Felt IA's?
Lets clarify a few things as their has been some confusing information posted in response to you.
Firstly you are 100% correct your bike has a BB30. In 2020 Felt moved (back) to threaded BBs but the 2019 IA10 has a standard BB30. This is excellent news as it give you lots of options
Secondly, you are correct that the MegaExo BB you have installed reduces the shell from 30mm to 24mm to accommodate traditional cranks like Shimano.
What has caused confusion is that your bike also has something else pre-installed. An adaptor which is pressed into the BB30 shell which allows you to use a threaded BB in press-fit shell. This is again good news for you because it gives you options.
Overall pretty much any crank available as you will run into very few compatibility issues. Your just need to match the BBs according as follows:
1) With a Shimano or other 24mm spindle crank keep the adaptor in the bike and just use a Shimano English threaded BB (HollowTech in Shimano speak).
2) Use a Rotor or other 30mm BB30 cranks with a BB30 BB. This will require removing the adaptor you currently have in the BB but that's as easy as doing a standard BB30 replacement.
3) Use a Rotor/FSA 30mm crank designed for external BBs with the BB386Evo BB. This final options is the most technically confusing but its basically FSA's answer to your problem. Its also often the cheapest option because FSA is pushing the BB386Evo system by reducing the price of the system.
Overall the good news is that you are aren't going to run into many compatibility issues or super expensive niche components. The language is a bit confusing but start by selecting the cranks you want. Then work backwards as to how you get in into a BB30 shell.