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I perhaps don't ride in the worst of conditions so BB longevity has never really been an issue for me.
Do BB's just seize or just gradually get worse? IME they appear to have just gone but perhaps that is simply when I noticed it.
But my current BB is clearly not at it best after the last two wet rides and I didn't manage to get a new one today.
Is my ride tomorrow doomed to end in tears or will it just provide my legs with a greater challenge. A simple case of MTFU?
MTFU, it won't explode.
Thanks - thought so.
Two issues here, Is it noisy?- in which case its up to you to decide if you can put up with it (I cant stand the slightest click, myself)
Does it have a lot of play?- this possibly would effect function ( front shifting etc)so I'd be a bit more careful about riding on it.
if is a hollowtech (outboard bearing type)crank the bearings can end up scoring the axle, if the bearing races are so bad they wont even turn round. Just depends on degree. If its just a bit rough you can remove bearing covers and just stuff a bit of new grease in.
If very bad best not to ride it. BVery loose BBs can also hurt your knees if you are pedaling a lot.
Not noisy to the best of my knowledge - but with the chain off - the cranks are not spinning nice and freely as I would expect. Doesn't seem too bad with the chain on when in a stand turning the cranks etc
Can't say I detected any lateral play? - but didn't really look for it.
I've ridden one in the past until the bearing retaining clips were ground away to nothing. A stripped crank thread and having to wait for a spare from the US meant riding it for quite a while while it felt very rough. It never seized though.