To EBB or not to EBB

[crashmore]

Ok I'm all but sold on ordering a cutom IF hard tail here pretty soon. Originally I had thought I'd order it with an EBB and a hanger. My thinking is that it would make it very easy to jump back and forth between geared and single if I should so desire.

Anyone do something similar with their IF or a similar bike?

Any reason not to go with the EBB even if I end up running gears more often than not?

I'm on the fence at this point, help me decide.

[skillet999]

Yo!
I have used an EBB on my SS for 2 years now and did some research (i.e. posted a ? to the message boards).... here's the skinny:

Pros:
easier to change flats with disc brakes (don't underestimate this!)

Cons:
some folks report slippage (never my experience)
needs a little bit of maintenance now and then

I have the Bushnell type - works pretty good. There is a single bolt that works to expand the EBB tight in the frame shell. A dude with a sweet IF at Schaeffer (name withheld to protect the innocent) has the kind that has two external bolts on the outside of the BB shell that clamp around the EBB "unit". If I had the option, I would go with the latter option. Seems beefier to me.

good luck!

[wrench177]

I just went through the same thought process when deciding on my new SS frame. I ended up going with horizontal dropouts and decided against the EBB. This makes it very difficult to run my Spot as a geared bike (not that I ever will), but, here are the reasons I went sans EBB.

First and foremost, I am concerned with durability and ease of maintenance. That was a major reason for wanting a SS in the first place. An EBB is one more "point of failure" or at least a point of frustration with a bike. I know everyone will say that a good EBB is strong and easy to maintain, but, I've heard a few too many stories from people with them about mysterious creaks that they can't get rid of. Take the EBB out of the equation and it is one less thing to troubleshoot. My number one rule of thumb is K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid). BTW, I absolutely hate strange creaks on my bike.

Second and less important is the whole "changes your center of gravity" thing. But, let's face it, depending on how often you change gears your bottom bracket height will change as will the center of gravity. Now I doubt I'm perceptive enough to really feel the difference in the bottom bracket height, but, it is a concern and another potential problem with the EBB.

For me it was mainly reason one. I was building a SS because I wanted a simple reliable steed that would take me back to my youth. Something that I could always rely on and that would glide through the single track with stealthy precision. I didn't want the chain slap and other noises associated with my geared bike.

I know you want the option to put gears on the bike and the EBB with vertical drops is the way to go. I just think if you are going to build a SS then build a SS. That's my 2 cents and about all it's worth I'm sure.

Congrats on the decision and keep us updated on the progress.

[Vecsus]

funny you should mention this. I have upped the target price of the hardtail build I am going to do this winter (29er of course). I am fairly certain I will be going with an IF steel HT myself. (Due, in part, to the proximity of a dealer for fit and such.) I was debating the EBB thing myself. Only $150 for the upgrade...a small price compared to changing your mind later and building up another bike.

My only decision now is whether my plans will need to include the canibalization of my FS 26er bike. I got a pretty nice build kit on it (king hubs, juicy brakes, sram x9) that would rock on a nice steel HT 29er. But I have to ask myself whether I am prepared to give up that 4.5" of suspension in the rear.

[DaveG]

First and foremost, I am concerned with durability and ease of maintenance. That was a major reason for wanting a SS in the first place. An EBB is one more "point of failure" or at least a point of frustration with a bike. I know everyone will say that a good EBB is strong and easy to maintain, but, I've heard a few too many stories from people with them about mysterious creaks that they can't get rid of. Take the EBB out of the equation and it is one less thing to troubleshoot. My number one rule of thumb is K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid). BTW, I absolutely hate strange creaks on my bike.


I was riding w/ him and his bike was making this hideous noise. It turns out that it was his EBB. This is after a couple of months. Probably be fixed by pulling apart and greasing, but it scares me.

I have horizontal dropouts on my KM, but I don't currently run a disc rear. Not sure I would go w/ an EBB; I want a SS to be as trouble free as possible.

Dave

[BikerMiker]

Skip the EBB. If you want ss and a hanger, you might not be so sure. Just make it pure and clean. Horizontal dropouts are the way to go. Bolt-on rear hub.

Cannondale is the only EBB that I've seen that doesn't move and creak. It's from their tandems. Those two-bolt EBB things that IF puts in their bikes are an embarassment, if you ask me.

EBB changes seat tube angle, BB height, chainstay length based on gear choice. I'm just not a fan.

mike

[ODG]

Am I correct in assuming that you're planning on building it up as a geared bike but would like the option of going SS? You ride geared and SS but what do you ride more? Options are nice but in this case I'd say just make a decision to go one or many.

[jabberwocky]

Does IF offer the Paragon sliding dropouts as an option?

http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/images/index.1.jpg

Thats what I have on my Wily, and they are pretty slick. Lighter than EBB, doesn't change the pedaling geometry (although it changes the chainstay length a little), and more reliable compared to an EBB. You can buy a replacement slider with a derailleur hanger if you want to run gears.

[IFBikeMD]

I like the EBB on my IF 29er SS. Easy wheel removal. Never any problems with slipping. Very easy to adjust with the two bolts.

With a 29er and the custom fit of my IF, the difference in position of the cranks relative to the ground is insignificant to me.

Been chasing a creak that seemed to be coming from it, however, discovered that two of the chainring bolts were cracked.

I went all out with my IF SS and didn't go with the option of going geared. Can't speak to horizontal drop out.

Just don't get Hayes El Camino brakes.

I really should get the webmaster to change my ID from KonaBike to IFBike.

- James

[crashmore]

Yeah thats pretty much it. I have a SS and do ride it ocassionally but I really prefer riding my geared bikes, probaly always will. I may forgo the EBB and just build up a rear wheel with an ecentric hub if I ever really get the itch to ride it as a ss.

I like the idea of versatility but I'm not sure I want the added complexity of a EBB when I'll likely be using it as a geared bike full time.

I gotta give this some more thought.


Am I correct in assuming that you're planning on building it up as a geared bike but would like the option of going SS? You ride geared and SS but what do you ride more? Options are nice but in this case I'd say just make a decision to go one or many.

[crashmore]

Well I think I've finally decided against the EBB on the IF. After thinking it over I've finally come to realize that Single Speeding really isn't my thing and likely never will be. I'll keep my Haro built up to satisfy the ocassional SS itch. I'm thinking I'll just build up the IF as a really nice geared Hardtail.

Thanks for the input folks!

Yeah thats pretty much it. I have a SS and do ride it ocassionally but I really prefer riding my geared bikes, probaly always will. I may forgo the EBB and just build up a rear wheel with an ecentric hub if I ever really get the itch to ride it as a ss.

I like the idea of versatility but I'm not sure I want the added complexity of a EBB when I'll likely be using it as a geared bike full time.

I gotta give this some more thought.