Originally Posted by
tellyho
I like cup and loose ball bottom brackets, but even I think this advice is crazy. Sealed cartridges last forever. Except the OP's, apparently. I can't say that one brand is going to be better sealed than another. I'd suspect some other cause than your riding conditions. But I don't know what.
For the average person yes. The average person rides like 10 miles per year, in smooth roads, with sunny fair weather conditions. then the bike is stored. So the sealed bearings would last longer because its sealed better. It doesnt dry as fast or come out of adjustment.
But if you ride in sandy and wet conditions even sealed bearings get screwed up FAST. The only difference is you cannot service them. well some BB you can, kinda like rollerbladers service their sealed bearings.
Sealed bearings on skates are not going to last you long at all in those conditions, without maintenance (think 50 miles), because they are closer to the ground and collect more dirt and water easyer. Its the same thing on a bike its just that you can get away with it for longer because the BB is higher off the ground and therefore collects less dust and moisture.
If you ride like that OP, you're going to need maintenace and its just easyer on a cup and loose bearing BB. Sealed bearing BB are not cosidered serviceable, you just buy another one. The name, "sealed bearing" is a bit misleading.
But thats just me.