The BB is a Velo Orange Gran Cru, installed about a year ago. Recently, I felt the typical symptoms of it's loosening. Removed it to clean out the BB shell and regrease. As I was wiping off the BB, I noticed a good deal of play in the spindle on the left nondrive side; I can move the spindle a couple of millimeters as if something is loose inside the BB. This isn't normal for a one-year-old BB, is it? If it isn't, I'll contact the dealer in Tokyo or Velo Orange directly, and I'm sure they'll send me a replacement. I just wanted to get a little input before I send off e-mails.

I'm new to wrenching bikes, so I have little experience with this kind of stuff.

That is a very early failure as cartridge bottom brackets typically last thousand and thousands of miles, at least all of my Shimano and Campy versions have. I'd file a warranty claim with Velo Orange and hope they agree.

Thanks Hillrider. I thought so too. Over the last year I've ridden on average about 60 miles a week (commuting and shopping; no rough stuff) with that BB installed. That's a little over 3000 miles. Not really a lot, me thinks. I'll contact VO and see what they say.