So, I upgraded bikes... Mind you I'm not a hardcore biker, I don't compete or anything... I just like messin around on the trail and pushin myself and my bike as much as I can being an amateur rider.

I have a 2004 Giant Boulder SE. It did well, but I upgraded to an 08 model Diamondback Response Sport.

So far, I love this bike. It's friggen tough. I haven't done any hardcore riding though, seeing as though weather lately in PA has been nothing short of pathetic.

I was googling reviews on it and I was reading about the Octalink Bottom Bracket. My Giant had a square taper, and I replaced it about a year ago. I was reading that "sealed bearing cartridge" style bottom brackets are better designed. The Octalink was one of them, from what I understand.

But it's weird. I'm reading that the Octalink is a beast, as long as it's installed properly. Yet a lot of people are talking about the end of its lifespan?? Really? What about the Octalink prevents it from excelling more in the future?

What it comes down to is, I have a new bike here. It'd kind of suck to hear that certain replacement parts for it will be extinct next year.

Also, say the Octalink magically is just a no go. I can put a new bottom bracket in there, can't I? I just have to size up the width and get a new crankset to match the bottom bracket style I get, right? What I'm getting at is I'm trying to understand whether or not I can mix and match literally ANY bottom bracket on my bike frame.

Any input?