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Old 07-02-11 | 09:37 AM
  #7  
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balindamood
Wrench Savant
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,316
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From: 61 Degrees North

Bikes: Yes

I am not a fan of 99% of cartridge BB's. Good quality cup and cone BB's (which are not even available to most bike shops anymore), can be cleaned and rebuilt for tens of thousands of miles. Cartrdige BB's are single use and may last 1500 miles, may last 15,000 miles. I have seen a wide varience in service life accross the spectrum, with identical model BB's going bad very soon, or lasting for what seems for ever. The problem is that NOTHING is truely "sealed". Since cartridges are not serviceable, there is no (reasonable) way to get in there, clean them out, and re-intall if they get fouled with grit or water. They start to get gritty, and you just keep riding them until they fail (prematurely).

It is your bike; it's your choice.
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