Is the Wolf Tooth Bottom Bracket Worth It? Part 1

Wolf Tooth is known for their top-tier assortment of USA-made components and accessories—including chainrings, lockrings, and pedals—so adding bottom brackets to their lineup was a no-brainer. The timing of their release lined up perfectly with a new frame I’m building for mountain biking this summer and fall. While most of the parts for the build are coming off another frame, a fresh bottom bracket sounded really nice. As someone who rides year-round, the added protection from the multiple seals and o-rings around the bearings was especially intriguing. Summers are super dusty and winters are mild with a bit of muck, so there’s plenty of opportunity to test the durability and longevity of this component.

My first impressions of the BSA bottom bracket are very positive. From the minimalistic yet protective packaging to the included spacer kit and instruction card, it’s everything you need and nothing you don’t. With no proprietary tools required, the threading was smooth, and installation was a breeze. The instruction card links you to clear, easy-to-follow online guides and tips. With cranks installed and proper preload applied, the cranks spin with minimal drag. I’ve taken the bike out a couple of times already and it’s been smooth and silent.

I’m excited to put this bottom bracket through its paces over the next few months and see how well it holds up. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the bearings and is fully user-serviceable, with all replacement parts readily available. Made in the USA and quite reasonably priced, this BB has all the makings of a top performer. If it holds up as well as it looks, it’s going to be a strong contender. I’ll check back in after a few months of hard riding with a full performance update.