As stiffness is directly tied to cross-sectional size it’s no surprise that, theoretically, BB386 EVO has the most to offer, with both the added shell width and diameter that many frame-makers yearn for.

Essentially the tool presses the bearings into the frame. It's designed to do this squarely, though like any tool, if used incorrectly it can result in problems. In most cases it's a job for a professional mechanic, who'll have the tools and the experience. BB386 EVO and BB392 EVO, introduced in 2011, take the oversized principle to extremes. The bearings have the same 86/92mm spacing, width-wise, as conventional threaded external BB, BB90/95, and PF86/92 formats, but it uses BB/PF30’s bigger 30mm diameter spindle. Crank designs that will fit: Standard 24mm external type (Shimano Hollowtech II, SRAM GXP, Campagnolo Ultratorque and Powertorque, FSA MegaExo, Race Face X-Type, etc), square taper, ISIS, BB386EVO, BB392EVO many others. Crucially external cups that fit 30mm spindles do exist. Cranksets with 30 mm wide spindles won’t fit into frames with BB86, or BB90 BBs, but with correct BB some can be made to fit into threaded frames.

How do I change to a different crankset?

PF30, OSBB, BB386EVO if it matches the spindle length, BB30A if the crankset has spacers on the left side For us, there are no disadvantages versus a threaded design or a standard BB30. We are able to have a full carbon shell with no metal bonded into the frame, which makes for a stronger, lighter frame structure. Although the BB30 and PF30 standards have been widely adopted, there’s still a little distance between the crank arm and the bearing on the non-drive side. So Cannondale is increasingly using BB30a bearings on its more recent bikes. This is essentially the same as BB30, but just moves the left hand bearing outwards by another 5mm, adding a bit of extra crank stability. The International Spline Interface Standard" (PDF). ISIS Drive. March 23, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2019 . Retrieved February 13, 2019.

The bb86 one is probably still 6805N or 37mm od as there's no point in going smaller there (internal bearings). In my experience, the first thing to pay attention to is the frame’s BB shell threading standard. Making sure which one it is, before trying to screw anything in. I know it may sound silly, but I think it’s worth stressing for anyone reading this. BB30 and PF30 cranksets won’t fit frames with different BB shell standard, because their spindle will be too short. Because you have aluminium threads and surfaces, you can face the shell with a cutter and make it parallel if it is not. The bearing bores are usually round already, with aluminium cups, because it is a machined surface, and if the bearing bores are too tight you can sand them out and get the fit just right for the bearings before you thread them into the frame. You cannot use a facing or cutting tool that I know of in a carbon shell.”A different approach than to move to threaded external bearings could be to standardize on one of the larger diameter press-fit BMX shell standards for all bicycles, or the press-fit BB30 standard [10] originally introduced by Cannondale. Cranksets with 24 mm spindle diameter are not all the same! SRAM and some other manufacturers make spindles that are 24 mm wide at one end, and 22 mm wide on the other, so the correct matching BB needs to be acquired. Pros: Stiffer than BB/PF30, in theory, without impacting other attributes; good crank compatibility, cheaper to manufacture than threaded or BB30 Schlumpf Innovations: Mountain Drive". 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-10-30 . Retrieved 2007-11-18.

The Threadfit T47 standard (no relation to Colnago’s ThreadFit system) was originally developed for Argonaut Cycles by Chris King. It uses an oversize, threaded alloy sleeve to house the bearings. Among its advantages touted by Argonaut are a reliable threaded interface and compatibility with all known crank standards.

Our] Hollowgram SiSL2 crank with SpideRing weighs 484g. By comparison, Dura-Ace 9000 weighs around 678g [we recorded 637g in our review – ed]. In addition to weight, another BB30 advantage is stiffness. By increasing the spindle diameter, you increase its resistance to twisting, which is where the bulk of the deflection in a crankset comes from. Roughly 70% of total deflection measured at the pedal comes from axle twist.” With our manufacturing methods, we also have no issues holding tolerances. [BB386 EVO] wasn’t designed as a cost reduction, but not having to post bond an aluminium shell into the frame and make sure the facing and threads are correct is slightly less expensive and much more reliable.”