Originally Posted by
maddog34
i can't venture a guess since i have no way of knowing what crankset is on the bike.
i always measure BB spindle lengths., like choddo just suggested.
road crank doubles can be anywhere from 103 to 113mm... a triple sprocket type? anywhere from 113 to 123 or so...
and if the bike is currently a Single front sprocket setup... 103 to 123 is a good window..
the RSX crankset i installed on a crazy-light Marin BMX i built up has an old school Shimano RSX C3 crankset, with a 127mm spindle length....
remove the crankset and measure from the outer end of the taper on one side(square part to the other outer end of the taper.
and for the record... putting loose balls in a bottom bracket is typically a frustrating grease slathered sweat fest for most folks... use the caged bearings to avoid panic attacks, loud outbursts that scare pets, and tossing wrenches
through coffee tables... or, it might just fall together easily.... too easily... spooky easily.... [insert evil laugh track here]
If that's the only issue, then I can put up with the frustration of a grease-slathered sweat fest for once, and I am all set for another 2 to 3 years. Also, if I am that impatient and unstable, I wouldn't have ridden this bike over 10,000 miles, and wouldn't be riding the bike for around 500 to 1,000 miles a month. Rest assured.
By the way, I have 1/4" new loose ball bearings (as well as 3/16" ones and several other sizes) in my stock. Just need to find time to work on the bike. The cage ones, I need to buy at an LBS, or order online.