Originally Posted by
Panthers007
A properly adjusted BB with loose, or balls in the retainer, bearing rolls much smoother than a cartridge such as Octalink. Or a newer external - BB. This is assuming your bottom-bracket isn't damaged or the races badly pitted.
Here's Park Tool's take on them:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=93
And wrong again.
The only advantage races have before loose is that it speeds assembly. If you're on the clock for a repair and shop rate is $1/min then by all means **** around with ****ing around with the cages and saving some time.