Bottom bracket cups

[Chris S]

Should the inside of bottom bracket cups be perfectly smooth? Both the cups in my 1990 Raleigh have a groove running along the entire diameter. Would this have been machined in at the factory or is it indicative of wear?

 

[Smokin Joe]

Normal wear from the bearings. If the BB turns smoothly with no play I wouldn't worry.

 

[Chris S]

Unfortunately there is lots of play in some places and none in others. I think I'll replace the cups and bearings.

 

[Cycleops]

In milage terms it's probably gone around the world a few times since 1980.

 

[I like Skol]

A polished bearing track = good

Grooving, pitting, play = bad

Time for new cups and bearings by the sound of it. Also check the spindle for pitting.