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Token launches threaded press-fit bottom bracket and rapid turn thru-axle

New threaded press-fit bottom bracket and two-turn thru-axle at Eurobike

Bored of the creaking press-fit bottom bracket on your bike? Token might have solved this problem with its brand new Thread Fit, an aluminium threaded press-fit bottom bracket. The company has also developed a clever thru-axle with a unique design that requires just two rotations to secure the wheel into place. 

Thread Fit

The Thread Fit bottom bracket comprises a pair of aluminium cups with two injection moulded surfaces made from plastic and fibreglass surfaces (a process it calls Fusion) that press against the inner surface of the bottom bracket shell that ensures a snug fit inside the frame, and eliminates play and therefore any creaking noises. 

token 2017 8.jpg

The bearings sit inside this aluminium barrel, wrapped in plastic and fibreglass, providing a secure and solid platform for the bearings to spin freely, extending their life. The replaceable bearings feature titanium coated races and ceramic balls, which it calls‘TiCeramic’. 

The two halves of the bottom bracket are simply threaded into the bottom bracket, either using a special tool it has developed or a standard tool, similar to that used to fit externally threaded bottom brackets. Token says it eliminates any issues with frames with poor tolerances, but that’s not all, it also reckons the Tread Fit extends the life of the bearings and makes the bike stiffer.

token 2017 6.jpg

“We don’t want to start a fight but we think it’s fair to claim that there are some problems with press fit bottom brackets. They creak, don’t last all that long and are installed and removed with tools that cavemen would recognise. TOKEN’s Thread Fit bottom bracket solves the creaking issues, improves bearing life and adds stiffness to the bottom bracket,” says Token.

token 2017 11.jpg

The entire bottom bracket weighs a claimed 115g and with seven combinations of bearings it is compatible with most current press-fit standards. 

token 2017 10.jpg

We don’t have a UK price for the new Thread Fit bottom bracket just yet, but it is available now, and we’ll be getting one in for review.

Axle 2 Turn thru-axle

If that wasn’t enough innovation, Token has also reinvented the thru-axle with the launch of the A2T (Axle 2 Turn) thru-axle. Okay, that’s not quite accurate, but it has developed a thru-axle that requires just two rotations to tighten, which means “extremely fast wheel removal.”

token 2017 2.jpg

On the end of the thru-axle shaft is a unique thread pitch which has been one year in development and been through five revisions, and is now patented. Compared to regular thru-axles, it requires just two full rotations to open or close. The bolt on the end allows adjustment of the final closing position of the lever.

It’ll be available in 12 and 15mm versions and Token is in talks with some manufacturers about adopting it because obviously, you can’t just use it with any current thru-axle bike.  

token 2017 4.jpg

Be interesting if any manufacturers do adopt it. Anything that makes it easier and quicker to operate a thru-axle is a good thing in our books, so here’s to see some bike brands showing an interest in it. Given the long lead times of many of the bigger bike companies, it could be a few years before that happens.

More info soon, and hopefully a review of the new bottom bracket, very interested in trying that out.

www.tokenproducts.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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39 comments

Avatar
dodgy | 7 years ago
0 likes

.

Avatar
me | 7 years ago
1 like

Not sure why they'd need to make an ultra torque version.  As per 700c the campag metal cups are all you need.  BB86 anyway.  Much better solution than the nasty plastic shimano sleeve that was in the frame when it arrived

I too give up with all the BB standards. 

Avatar
srchar replied to userfriendly | 7 years ago
0 likes

userfriendly wrote:

Token Y U no make Campag Ultra-Torque version? 

http://www.wishbonetw.com/product.php

Avatar
macrophotofly replied to Broony84 | 7 years ago
1 like

Broony84 wrote:

I bought a KCNC BB so I could use an Ultegra chainset with my dolan frame instead of press fit. Isn't this the same thing? Or am I confused?

 

No this allows you to fit cranks designed for BB30 and PF30 e.g SRAM and Cannondale into PF30 frames (as well as having adapters that allow you to fit shimano cranks as in your case)

Avatar
alg | 7 years ago
0 likes

So it's a threaded bottom bracket;  well done Token and about time somebody sorted out the press fit nonsense  

Avatar
700c replied to alg | 7 years ago
0 likes

alg wrote:

So it's a threaded bottom bracket;  well done Token and about time somebody sorted out the press fit nonsense  

No it still presses in! It's quite possible someone could buy this and still get creaking, especially if the frame is not quite to spec.

 

 

Avatar
Dawdler | 7 years ago
0 likes

They're not the first with that idea - I have a Rotor BB30 to 24mm bottom bracket on a Condor Super Accacio to allow me to use Shimano cranks in its BB30 shell.

Identical to the Token one - two halves screwed together using standard BB tools.

Avatar
Pony Ma replied to me | 7 years ago
0 likes

me wrote:

Not sure why they'd need to make an ultra torque version.  As per 700c the campag metal cups are all you need.  BB86 anyway.  Much better solution than the nasty plastic shimano sleeve that was in the frame when it arrived

I too give up with all the BB standards. 

TRiPEAK ceramic bearing offered Campagnolo solution.

www.bibglobal.com

Avatar
Pony Ma | 7 years ago
0 likes

The original design of this thread BB was from the Brand "TRiPEAK Ceramic Bearing".

It gurrantied zero creak from it's patented snug ring.

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