Should I replace the bottom bracket or maintain the original

retro-rich · Jun 30, 2011

I'm attempting to restore an '86 Record Ace.

The drive side bb cup had seized a bit and had a game getting the thing off (not having much luck with bb's lately

).

It got me thinking though, when restoring a bike, the stuff like cables and brake blocks and chain get replaced but what about the bb? The sealed units seem simpler to fit, but is it desirable to keep the old bb on there?

jimo746 · Jun 30, 2011

Personally if the BB is still servicable then I'd give it a clean and re-grease and re-use it, if not then the cartridge style BB's are simplicity itself to fit and maintain.
Cables I'd probably replace as a matter of course, chain would go if excessively worn, and brake blocks would get cleaned and if in good nick would be reused too.

It's good to try and keep things retro, but if it's beyond saving then I see nothing wrong with replacing it with a modern equivalent.

dieselgeezer · Jul 1, 2011

I agree. If you don't see it & it doesn't bother you & it allows you to keep using the bike, then go with a more up to date BB.

retro-rich · Jul 1, 2011

I've picked up some bearings from the lbs, so will try and repack it and get it adjusted right, if i struggle too much I'll replace with a sealed unit. I think really I'd like to see it kept original if I can.

1duck · Jul 1, 2011

old school cup bb i find it much better, just the ability to maintain and fix them...a sealed bb may be maintenance free but when it goes wrong you have to just throw it away, it seems very wasteful in my eyes at least... but that said they do last so long that its a pretty void point.

I think what i was trying to say is that the old ones are just as good as the new ones in many senses...I mean i'd like to see how many sealed bearings are around 30 years from now! mainly because you can't just repack them and carry on.

Should I replace the bottom bracket or maintain the original

retro-rich

Retro Guru

jimo746

dieselgeezer

Retro Newbie

retro-rich

Retro Guru

1duck

Senior Retro Guru

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