Earlier this week we expounded on the reasons why the new T47 bottom bracket standard shouldn’t be summarily dismissed as “just another damn standard to deal with.” In fact, it could become a solution for many — but probably not all — of the issues associated with creaky Press Fit 30 bottom brackets. While the design has merit, there are also significant issues that are likely to keep T47 from becoming the one bottom bracket standard adopted by the entire cycling industry.
Related: Six reasons to like the T47 bottom bracket standard
Here are five reasons why T47 won’t solve all of the cycling industry's bottom bracket woes.
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1. Not right for every type of bike
T47 isn’t a panacea for every press-fit standard, and isn’t necessarily the right solution for every type of bicycle.
According to Mark Norstad of Paragon Machine Works, the go-to parts supplier for many custom frame builders, the T47 bottom bracket shell will come in at least seven different widths. While it appears that sourcing a T47 in one's preferred width won't be an issue for manufacturers, the overall dimensions of the design do pose challenges that make it a non-starter for some companies' full-suspension mountain bikes. That's because the overall dimensions of the T47 standard encroach on space used for suspension pivots.
Case in point: Santa Cruz Bicycles — a stalwart proponent of the tried-and-true 73mm threaded bottom bracket — doesn't see a point in the new platform and would have to redesign its lower suspension linkage in order to accommodate it.
2. Not the ideal retrofit for creaky Press Fit 30 frames
3. Weight gain is a real concern
4. T47 is a solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist
5. Years away from widespread introduction
Final thoughts
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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