Originally Posted by
oldtimeyirv
merziac you make a good point, I was just assuming the best thing to do was replace the old school bb. In my thinking, the old style would require more regular maintenance... Something she will not do. Thoughts? Is this true given she probably won't put that many miles on it.
Theoretically, couldn't I just get a cartridge with the same spindle length and slap the original crank back on? Or are there magic tricks to remove rust from cups and bb parts? New cartridge is ~$15.
Thanks for participating. It makes it more enjoyable!
You can but many of the tapers are a bit different and may change the chainline, hence the likely hunt and peck. The cartridge needs to match the offset or not to work.
A good overhaul will last a long time, probably the rest of the time your Mom will have it, especially if it isn't ridden in the rain.
You can clean the rust and parts with WD40, brake clean, elbow grease and scotch brite or steel wool, it won't be perfect and final adjustment is critical so you have to be able to get it right.
The cartridge is certainly cheaper and easier IF you get the right one.
