This afternoon, probably for the first time since the mid-90's, I installed a cup and cone bottom bracket. With the advent of the "cartridge" bottom bracket assembly, we mechanics no longer needed to worry about bearings, adjustable cups, lock rings, etc. It was a step forward. However, while not exactly an "art", there was a certain amount of skill necessary to install a cup and cone BB, and no small rewarding feeling when you're all done and have the crankarms tightened that you have achieved that smooth-spinning sweet spot between binding and play. I was glad to see that I hadn't lost my touch.

I know exactly what you mean. There's little or no satisfaction in installing a cartridge bottom bracket.

I guess I'm at the other end of the spectrum, I've never installed a cartridge bottom bracket.

Either have I. The one I have (Octalink) was installed at an LBS.

EDIT: I have two...I never removed the second from the frame

The only two cartridges I've ever seen were on old bikes that I was fixing up for buddies. Being way behind schedule (usually), I was glad to see that I wouldn't be doing those.

It's a pleasure to install high quality cup and cone type parts like Campagnolo Record BB's and hubs when your effort of careful, proper, assembly is rewarded with perfect performance.

It always amazes me when you can lightly swat a crankarm and watch it spin a dozen times then rock back and forth to its center, or watch a wheel spin for a minute in a stand from a gentle tug. Sealed bearings and modern seals just don't swing like that.

Actually, my sealed cartridge hubs spin smoother and longer than any of my cup and cone hubs.

Then you are doing something wrong, or we're not talking about 1960's-70's Record hubs in good order. I'm not against sealed bearing hubs, and I love modern components but I've never seen any hub spin easier than cup and cone Record.

Maybe I am doing something wrong. I have one pair of 70s Record hubs, and they don't seem any smoother than other mid- or high-tier hubs in my collection.

A really nice Sunshine Pro-Am is pretty much the same. Simply flawlessly smooth.

Assuming the bearings and races are not worn, you might try adjusting them with a little "shake" in the preload to be taken out when clamping the Q/R. See if they spin better while resting in a wheelstand with the Q/R's open. If so then back off the cones just a hair so you can feel some shake, then close the Q/R's tight to get rid of it. Might take a few trys to get it right.

Yes, it's like the "Hand of God" effect. All the pieces are there, but it's your firm yet gentle, knowledgeable, and precise touch that brings it to "the sweet spot". That's the satisfaction that comes with the meld of machine and mechanic.

+1

Very well put Otis. There's a sweet magic seeing that. A very satisfying feeling.

Yeah, I do like Campy races with the nicer balls. It's 100 grade that's nicer right, and 25 grade is average? I had that all figured out last year and ordered a bunch of them and it was enough that I've forgotten in the meantime.

No, lower the grade # is better. 25 is not the lowest but damn good.