Yes. The 'stiffness' in the bottom bracket area comes from frame shape. The choice of BB30 gives some small advantages, such as weight (swap a 24mm axle for a 30mm aluminium one). You also get to use standard sized bearings (which can be cheaper). The cranks have a better Q-factor.warthog1 wrote: It didn't ignore a large cross section bb and downtube though. Damn sight larger than old school material cross sections. Aerodynamics and stiffness engineered in. Allowed by the use of CF. They had the choice of any frame material but they chose cf.
Team GB probably went with a standard bottom bracket because Wiggins and Cavendish wanted a Dura-Ace crankset.
I still think that the true benefits of carbon are not being used effectively. Unfortunately the UCI has too much influence on the design of bikes and the market is driven by 'what the pros ride'. IMO there is a huge market out there for true carbon monocoque superbikes (a la Chris Boardman's Lotus) that could really create a huge leap in bicycle frame performance. But because these bikes can't be 'raced' anymore, they aren't made. Instead we are stuck with semi-monocoque designs that still have to resemble 'two triangles'.
But I wonder if they'd be absolutely awesome for recreational riders.