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

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. 

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.

“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.

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

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.”

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.  

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