thanks for the bb info v1nce. i guess i'll probably go with the *** when the time comes, i was just curious.
i don't have a bike yet, i found one in philly tho, and i may end up getting it. i'm flaking on the name at present, but it looks like an exact copy of the raleigh 20.
i think anything with standard threading in the bb would be out of my financial range anyhow, as newer is generally more expensive. i also want to stick with what has worked for others so far, as it will give me less headaches than figuring it all out myself. which is especially good, considering that i'm fairly new to bike tinkering as it is.