Despite the unseasonable weather I had plenty of projects to keep me busy in the shop this weekend: a few tune ups, cleaning up a wheelset for a future RAGBRAI rider, and organizing used parts.
Next on the docket: rebuilding my former professor’s Ross. First things first, it needs a new bottom bracket (where the pedals and crank arms spin in the bike frame). Instead of just replacing the older cup and cone style bottom bracket, I’m upgrading the Ross to a sealed cartridge unit.
With both wheels constantly throwing rain, snow, salt, and grime at it, the bottom bracket shell gets pretty cruddy. Sealing the bottom bracket prevents water and dirt from corroding the bearings and deteriorating the grease. In short, the thing lasts longer.
Monk River Bicycle 