Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,180
Likes: 6,415
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I used to hate them, because (1) they were on low end bikes, and (2) when I had to service them, they were abused.
But really, it's a good design. It's easier to service than any other BB. I can do it with my eyes closed.
But it is heavy.
I don't know the answers to your questions, and they've been burning in my mind, too.
Someone here on BF showed us a picture of a Swedish bike with an Ashtabula crank. That was a surprise to me, because I also think of it as purely American.