Originally Posted by
KonAaron Snake
I don't see how they could replace the bottom bracket without extensively reworking the shell...like replacing it. I rode with guys who had the grease guard BB as well and none of them had a problem. Mine certainly hasn't developed any issues and I've never heard of that happening. Net searches generally report on the early 90s Merlins as being bomb proof and still in general usage. There was an extra light model that I think was damage prone, but they used thicker tubing...and as memory serves, that one was VERY early on (like mid-80s). I think most of the negative things said and heard about ti are based on very early ti parts and frames.
What they did was to replace the entire down tube and BB shell.
They had some jig and tool that made this the fastest fix for them.
Whether or not you have seen it crack there I have with at least 6 riders in my local area back in the mid '90s.
Some of these guys were doubles riders.
The last guy who had it happen they just gave him a new 2000 frame.
These were all early 90's Merlins and not Extra lights which came out mid 90's.
The tubing on the extralight was thinner and stiffer and they all came with threaded BB shells.