What It Is
The Module 47 system is a two-piece bottom bracket which reduces friction and banishes creaking by mounting both the driveside and non-driveside bearings in a single lightweight aluminium module casing which threads in from the drive-side. The non-drive-side (NDS) part is a tapered sleeve which threads into the frame to receive and locate the drive-side module in a high-precision fit. This M47-68 fits frame frames with a T47 threaded frame shell that is 68 mm wide. It is suitable for 24mm crank spindles (typically Shimano), or 24/22mm (GXP).
Why It’s Better
The main precision-machined aluminium casing of the Module 47 ensures that the very high-grade Japanese bearings sit in exacting alignment. This greatly increases their life, reduces frictional losses, and makes creaking impossible. The Module design also allows for straightforward access and replacement of the bearings when it’s eventually necessary without the need to remove the bottom bracket module.
The T47 standard has inherent advantages, thanks to its metal threaded fit, and most options on the market slide together over a central tube. While they might look similar in a photo, the Module 47 is significantly different. Basic T47 bottom brackets house a bearing in each of two threaded cups, with a plastic sleeve between them which only serves as an interior seal and does not contribute to the structure.
The Module 47 locates both the driveside and non-driveside bearings in a single casing, machined to extremely tight tolerances in one process without ever being re-jigged. It’s the ultimate method of precision bearing alignment, a cycling component made the Formula One way. The driveside casing then locates very securely in the non-drive-side piece, with a deeper, metal-to-metal overlap eliminating any deflection under pedalling forces.
SN-Vitae Module 47 bottom brackets come with an 18-month warranty for module casing and tapered sleeve components.
Choice of Bearing Seals
| Contact (DD) Seals |
| Contact (DD) seals are better for year-round riding and lower maintenance because the seal is in contact with the inner race of the bearing. This makes it extremely difficult for contaminants like dust, dirt, and moisture to reach the inner parts of your bearing whilst doing an excellent job of sealing lubricants inside your bearing. |
| Non-Contact (VV) Seals |
| Non-contact (VV) bearing seals are recommended for racing bicycles that are regularly serviced. Non-contact seals do offer lower friction but are also a less robust barrier to dirt and water. They should be considered consumable-like. |
*Contact seal bearings are advisable if you race and train on the same bike.
Compatibility
| Frame BB Shell Type: | T47 - Shell widths of 68 mm |
| Crank Spindle Diameter: | 24mm (Shimano), or 24/22mm (GXP). |
What’s Included?
| Module Casing: | 1x drive-side module casing and 1x non-drive-side tapered sleeve; both manufactured from 6000-series aluminium, anodised for a long-lasting smart finish. |
| Bearings: | 2x High-grade NSK Japanese bearings. Select from either Non-Contact (VV) or Contact (DD) Seal Types. |
| End Caps: | 2x Plastic End Caps for location within the bearings / fitment to the crank spindle. |
| Installation Tools: | THE-4X-TOOL: Included free with each BB purchased on the SN-Vitae website. |
Module 47 Technology
Central to the two-piece system; Module 47 bottom bracket design has a driveside aluminium module casing which has the drive-side and non-drive-side bearing bores machined into it in only a one step process. It's essentially the same engineering that you'll find in our Module One bottom brackets but with a threaded external. This driveside module casing machining process means that the module does not require re-jigging during manufacturing and this provides a significant advantage when it comes to ensuring the bearings can sit in exacting alignment. When optimal bearing bore alignment is achieved, this greatly increases the bearing life and reduces unnecessary frictional losses that often occur through bearing misalignment. The Module 47 bottom bracket is subsequently centralised and fastened into the frame via the threaded non-drive-side (NDS) tapered sleeve.
Installation
- Ensure your bicycle's bottom bracket shell is free from obstructions such as cable guide screws protruding into the bottom bracket shell. Pre-check the shell dimensions for dimensions/tolerance and thread size/condition.
- Installation and removal must be performed with the specific SN-Vitae installation tool; THE-4X-TOOL.
- Installation MUST NOT and cannot be conducted with plastic end caps installed in the bearings. Remove the End Caps before commencing installation.
- Warranty will be void if there is evidence of impact, damage or use of a hammer/mallet/excessive force during installation.
- It is advisable that all Module 47 threaded bottom brackets are installed using anti-seize compound on the module and sleeve threads. Depending on the tolerance of the frame shell width, retaining compound or anti-seize compound can be used between the drive-side module casing and non-drive-side tapered sleeve.
