Ode to the Bottom Bracket

[Kevin B]

Each year I service my bottom brackets a couple of times with a full cleaning and a lube with good grease. Lately I noticed a rhythmic clunk, clunk (sometimes sporadic) from a used bottom bracket I installed in a rebuild project. I opened it up and one single loose ball bearing was out of the cage. Ordered a new bottom bracket set and all is well. My 2009 Schwinn developed a slight clunk around the same time. Inspection revealed three escaped balls! That Schwinn probably has between 3,000 to 4,000 miles on those original bearings as I have averaged 10 miles daily for about the last 3 years. So another bottom bracket set install and what a difference. FYI I used a cheap WALD set from Amazon. I think stuff like that slips up gradual and you don't notice it. Just wanted to pass on my little victory. Part of it came out of pandemic cloistering and a desire to do something productive. Both bikes spin so freely they feel like new with my flip flops on the pedals.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I was stripping a few hubs the other evening in the backyard while she was gardening and the kids were at play. Very serene and therapeutic.

 

[Kevin B]

I agree.

 

[horsefarmer]

Heavy man, I dig.

 

[Bdogg]

I can remember when I first started building and repairing bikes in my teens, we never used caged bearings. They were always loose bearings set in grease.
Does anyone still do this?
I can see where the increased surface area of more bearings would take more loading.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I remember someone, perhaps @us56456712 saying that if your cage was busted, you could put them in loose as long as you add one extra ball if the same size.

 

[Bdogg]

I remember someone, perhaps @us56456712 saying that if your cage was busted, you could put them in loose as long as you add one extra ball if the same size.

If I remember right, you put as many bearings as possible, less one.

 

[Retro Flutter]

If I remember right, you put as many bearings as possible, less one.

This is what I usually did, in my early days. Heck, I remember missing like 3-4 balls, so I just stuffed in more grease, lol. This was usually for headsets though, I never really bothered with BBs as a kid.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

I can remember when I first started building and repairing bikes in my teens, we never used caged bearings. They were always loose bearings set in grease.
Does anyone still do this?
I can see where the increased surface area of more bearings would take more loading.

Yup, I do.

If I remember right, you put as many bearings as possible, less one.

Affirmative. Minus one keeps them moving so they don't peen the bearing cups.