Terminology: the term "bottom bracket"
 

Are we using the term "bottom bracket" differently today than it was used originally?

Watch the following video, starting from the 3:26 mark. Watch for 10 seconds, from 3:26 - 3:36.

http://vimeo.com/39401575

Notice that what the narrator refers to as "this bottom bracket" is what I believe today most would term the "bottom bracket shell". I find that detail fascinating. If your bottom bracket shell is yesteryear's bottom bracket, then what was the original term for what we now refer to as the bottom bracket? When did the change come about? And why do you suppose it occurred?

The term has evolved dramatically IMO , to the point where many bikes don't even have alot of the originally included parts anymore....yet still manage to get a set of crank arms spinning in the frame somehow. :)

"It" really should just be called what it "are"....spindle, inboard/outboard bearing assemblies and crank spindle/axle. Which is pretty much what I do when discussing it.

I'm more facinated tho that your facinated by it. ;)

Yeah, I'm just detail-oriented in some crazy, anal-retentive way I guess.

According to Dave Moulton:
http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com...h-bicycle.html
fourth paragraph
the shell was originally a lug, and lugs were previously called brackets

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edit: I didn't view the original video because I'm in the office now, and I see that Dave's post and the OP point to the same video (at least the first few seconds...)
and in my rush I answered the wrong question!

Cool video, While it is not said in the video or titles it is the Raleigh Factory in Nottingham England. I am sure you noted the "blue print" early in the video that illustrated a "bottom bracket assembly". Which showed the shell, spindle, balls, & cups. If I can remember I will try and use this term.

It's funny you brought this up, some one on this forum was pointing out the incorrect use of the term ball bearing.

I would agree that what is called by the manufacturers today a "bottom bracket" does not look like a bracket and is inconsistent with history or common terms.

Thanks for the video links, I just finished restoring an old Raleigh and have been bragging to friends and family, I think I forward a link to them.

You're overthinking this. The term bottom bracket has always referred to the BB shell of the frame, and/or to the bearings involved, with or without the spindle, depending on the type of crank.

For example, on cottered cranks an installed bottom bracket would include cups and spindle. Same with cotterless cranks. But on Ashtabula cranks there is no spindle (part of the crank) so the installed bottom bracket would only include the pressed in cups.

Of course the shell is always installed since it's part of the frame, but when speaking of bottom brackets on frames we're describing the shell and the type of bottom bracket it's designed for.

Like so much of language, the precise meaning of a word or phrase depends on the context, and I've yet seen a situation where this has led to misunderstanding. When someone writes about greasing a bottom bracket, readers generally know he doesn't mean to cover the shell with grease.