Hey folks. My Fuji touring bike came, as many do these days, with a sealed bottom bracket. That is, when ya take the crank arms off the thing is removed as one single unit, though I am sure there are ways ya can snoop inside and see whats going on.

I notice when I was riding every once in a while i heard aand felt a 'snap' or 'ping'. What it felt like was the kind of skip ya get when a chain link is too tight, and for the longest time thats what I thought the problem was. But i never found a tight link. But one day, my sealed bracket just destroyed itself; when i turned the pedals i heard grinding and snapping noises.

I had it replaced, obviously. But not with a vary expensive/high quality unit. Lately i notice the same snaps and pings...and am wondering if the same fate awaits this bracket.

Is the problem the way I ride? (I sometimes stand up in the pedals, no big deal.) Or is the solution just to buy a much higher quality bracket? And what IS going on inside? It feels like the bearing cup is just gradually being destroyed.

roughstuff

There are plenty of good BBs with sealed Bearings that will last forever. Talk to a good LBS in your area. And yes spend a few more dollars.

Thanks Deanster. CURSES. All this time I thought it was some other factor than my being a cheapskate!

roughstuff

Do you know if the bottom bracket/crank interface is square taper or Octalink or ISIS?