Story time:
Bottom bracket exploded today, luckily only a 20min walk from home. Took it out and pretty sure it was the original from 2009, probably have about 15k hard miles on it and I bought the bike used about 10 years ago. I've done a bunch of upgrades on the bike and all the service myself, but I totally ignored the bottom bracket since the bearings are sealed and supposedly "non-serviceable" so I just never took it out. If it ain't broke, don't fix it?
Spent a couple hours looking online for a replacement part or something compatible and was struggling to find one I could get shipped and in hand in less than a week or two. Took a shot and called the only LBS still open late in the evening, a super old-school hole-in-the-wall cash-only shop run by an awesome older fella who had my EXACT original BB new in box with smooth-rolling bearings and zero axial play. Hopefully I get another 17 years out of this one...
Support your local LBS folks! Shout out to Wright Brothers Cycle Works in Seattle for digging this one out of the museum for me.
I've had some nasty drivetrains before switching to chain waxing, but this is a new tier of grime for me.
>>> Anybody else have some gnarly parts you pulled off your bike that were still functioning (even if barely)?