Riding on a failing bottom bracket - what could possibly go wrong? My BB is showing the first signs of being on the way out (a click when I drive either foot down hard; if I remove the chain there's a barely perceptible clicky feeling at the same crank position as the click). It's not convenient to get it fixed in the near future. The last time I wore one out, the ride was horribly notchy by the time I got it done, but I blamed the cassette/chain. What's likely to happen if I keep riding on it? I can tolerate a rough ride on this bike (I'm not doing much distance on it at the moment). But I don't want to damage anything else (this seems unlikely to me). I also don't want a sudden failure, especially one that causes things to seize up.

Basically it is badly adjusted, damaging things until it fails outright in some manner.

That may happen today, or it might grind on for a decade. munching at the ball bearings and the cups and cones.

* If it's already spalling, replacement is the best option.
* If you catch it soon enough, a clean / grease / refit might be all it needs.



Do you intend to throw away the bike when it breaks? Consider a bike-cooperative to supply the tools for a one-time tweak, or just buy the tools. You own the bike and will doubtless use them again.

**Bikes can last forever if not crashed, and are properly maintained**

and my favourite line

**Bikes are not cellphones**