Lightweight Titanium Bottom Bracket Shell — Custom Ti-6Al-4V Frame Component for High-Performance Cycling

The lightweight titanium bottom bracket shell is a precision-engineered frame component made from aerospace-grade Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium alloy. It delivers weight reduction of ≥45% compared to steel alternatives, supporting standard shell widths of 68mm and 73mm with BSA or T47 threading options. CNC machined to tight tolerances, this shell offers exceptional fatigue resistance under cycling loads and outstanding corrosion resistance for long-term reliability. Whether you're building a bespoke titanium gravel frame or upgrading a race bike platform, this component is fully customizable to your drawings and specifications.

Parameter	Details
Material Grade	Grade 2, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 9, Grade 23; other grades available upon request
Bottom Bracket Standard	BSA, T47; custom standards available per drawing
Shell Width	68 mm, 73 mm standard; approximately 60–120 mm customizable
Thread Specification	BSA 1.37" × 24 TPI, T47 × 1.0 mm; custom threading available
Outer Diameter	Approx. Ø40–50 mm, customizable according to frame design and drawing
Machining Tolerance	Typically ±0.02 mm; tighter tolerances available according to drawing
Surface Finish	Ra 0.8–3.2 μm typical; finer finish available upon application requirement
Surface Treatment	Machined finish, polishing, sandblasting, anodizing; customized finishes available
Manufacturing Process	CNC turning, 3/4/5-axis milling, thread machining and precision finishing
Inspection & Customization	CMM, dimensional inspection and material verification; OEM/ODM and drawing-based production available

Titanium Bottom Bracket Shell

· ≥45% weight reduction vs. comparable steel shells

· Infinite fatigue life under normal cycling stress thresholds

· Native corrosion resistance — no galvanic degradation from road salt or sweat

· High thread integrity — titanium resists cold welding and galling with proper anti-seize application

· Compatible with ceramic bearing systems for maximum power transfer efficiency

· Supports internal cable routing with optional machined relief channels

Product Comparison

Feature	Titanium Shell	Aluminum Shell	Steel Shell
Weight	Very lightweight	Lightweight	Heavy
Fatigue Resistance	Excellent	Moderate; susceptible to fatigue cracking	Excellent
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent; highly resistant to sweat, moisture and saltwater	Moderate; surface protection may be required	Moderate; prone to rust without protection
Thread Durability	Excellent; high strength and wear resistance	Moderate; threads may be prone to damage or stripping	Excellent
Strength-to-Weight Ratio	Excellent	Good	Moderate
Galvanic Corrosion	Low risk when properly matched and isolated	Higher risk when combined with dissimilar metals	Moderate
Long-Term Durability	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Long-Term Value	High	Medium	Medium

Custom Titanium Bicycle Frames

Titanium Bottom Bracket Shell Application

Road & Gravel Performance Bikes

Titanium Bottom Bracket Shell Application

BMX, MTB & Trials Frames

Titanium Bottom Bracket Shell Application

Our titanium bottom bracket shells are designed for high-performance and custom bicycle frame applications, including road, gravel, MTB, BMX, and trials bikes. They provide a strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant foundation for the bottom bracket and crankset system, making them ideal for custom titanium frames, premium bicycle manufacturing, and performance-oriented builds. With precision CNC machining and customizable dimensions, our bottom bracket shells can be manufactured to meet specific frame designs, tubing dimensions, and bottom bracket standards.

Titanium solves the three biggest problems cyclists and frame builders face with conventional shells: weight, durability, and corrosion.

Compared to aluminum, titanium won't fatigue-crack or strip threads after repeated service. Compared to steel, it saves significant mass without sacrificing strength. And unlike both, titanium is inherently resistant to road salt, sweat, and harsh cleaning agents.

You get a shell that genuinely outlasts the frame itself — requiring only routine bearing replacements.

· 40+ high-precision CNC lathes and machining centers

· 5-axis CNC capability for complex titanium geometries

· Annual production capacity exceeding 1,000 tons

· 10+ years of titanium precision machining experience

· Support for prototype, small batch, and full-scale OEM production


melting	melting	forging	forging	rolling

Individual bolts receive protective sleeves preventing surface damage during transit. Sets are packaged in vacuum-sealed bags with desiccants controlling moisture exposure. Foam inserts cushion components within corrugated boxes.

Bulk orders utilize sturdy wooden crates meeting international shipping standards. All packages include detailed labeling with product specifications and batch numbers. Documentation includes material certificates, inspection reports, and handling instructions.

We offer air freight for urgent requirements with 5-7 day delivery. Sea freight provides cost-effective solutions for volume orders. Tracking information ensures transparency throughout the logistics process.

Q: Do I need anti-seize when installing a titanium shell?

A：Yes. Apply a copper-based or nickel-based anti-seize compound to prevent galling between titanium and bearing cup threads.

Q: How does stiffness compare to aluminum shells?

A：Titanium allows thinner wall profiles without fatigue failure, delivering lateral stiffness for power transfer while naturally dampening high-frequency road vibration.

Q: Is T47 or BSA better for titanium?

A：T47 is increasingly preferred for the product — it combines large bearing clearance with a reliable threaded interface, maximizing titanium's machinability advantage.

Q: Can it handle e-bike motor torque?

A：Yes. Grade 5 titanium handles 85Nm+ torque loads without thread deformation, making it well-suited to mid-drive e-bike applications.

Q: What is the expected service life?

A：Unlike aluminum, titanium has no finite fatigue limit under normal cycling loads. Your shell will typically outlast the frame — only the bearings need replacing.