Hardening the Stereoype

There is a stereotype that BMW drivers are dicks.  I guess it isn't a stereotype because scientist confirm this by using science.

On the morning commute, I took the lane at a red light. The right third of the lane, as to not get "right hooked" at a  busy interchange where people are turning right.

Waiting in line, a black fender pulls up next to me.  Why they can't wait in line like everyone else is beyond me.  Imagine if the same thing happened to you in your car; waiting in the lane and a car nudges up in the space you are already occupying?

The light changes, traffic begins to move, and as we clear the intersection, the black BMW X5 pulls up next to me, slows, the driver smirks, and waves.

I reply with an expressive hand gesture.

Infuriated, the X5 driver slams on his brakes hard enough to skid...but his ADD must have kicked in because he then accelerated hard, cuts in front of a car in the left lane, brakes hard and turns left.

I guess he didn't have time to play.

The commute home was much better.  I saw the largest black bear of my life galloping across a suburban road.  He slowed to a walk when he spotted me, then continued his gallop into a small cell of undeveloped land.

I guess he didn't have time to play either.

"I think it's the bottom bracket"

Noise.  Bikes make noise.

I hate noise.

At the shop, if someone comes in with an annoying creak, clunk, click, or squeal, inevitably the first words out of their mouths is "I think it's the bottom bracket".

I think "bottom bracket" is the only component name some people know.

It very well may be your bottom bracket.  It may not.

Bikes make noise.  Lots of noise.

Even well maintained bikes can develop noise...not as likely as non-maintained.
(I'll refrain from future snark from the high horse...today)

Noise can come from anywhere two parts come together. 

A dirty freehub, headset, loose or worn hub bearings, loose pedal bearings, clipless pedal cleats, spokes, nipples, quick releases, frame fittings. saddle, seatpost (obviously can be eliminated by standing). cranks, chain ring bolts, etc, or sometimes even the bottom bracket.

You can see how diagnosis can be a challenge.  Especially in a carbon bike with it's acoustic properties.

Sometimes it obvious, often it's not.
Often a huge time suck down that rabbit hole.

Preventable?
Sometimes...Sometimes not.

It very well may be the bottom bracket.


or not.