Re: Bottom Bracket frame failure

Quoted message said:

I just bought a vintage Torpado Superlight frame from about 1985.
This frame is made of Columbus SLX tubing and was their top of the line

frame from that time. The frame is in very nice condition with no rust
and a clean bottom bracket shell. The bottom bracket shell is an
english threaded Cinelli. Torpado cut a decorative "T" in the bottom
bracket shell that measures about 2cm X 2cm. When my LBS professional
looked the frame over, he was critical of the cutout. He told me that
Torpado went out of business because of bottom bracket frame failures.
He felt that the cutout in the bottom of the shell might cause failure
if standing on the pedals. Does anyone have any experience with this
issue? Especially with Torpadoes? Another employee felt that this issue

diminished with the use of a modern cartridge bottom bracket. Any
opinions from the group would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Your lbs staff are full of horse-hockey (http://tinyurl.com/6ywxo).
Most water comes in the top and drains down to the bottom bracket area,
where it often sits. At least your bottom bracket shell is ventilated.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Torpado/torpado_main.htm
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Torpado/torpado_sl_full.htm

If you're using a traditional bottom bracket, you must make sure that
the plastic accordion sleeve is in place to protect your bearings. If
you're using a cart. bb, no worries, I guess (? - comments?).

HOWEVER, you never mentioned what the mechanic actually saw regarding
the condition of the bottom bracket area. You never mentioned the
overall condition of the bike either. If it hasn't rusted yet (only 20
years?), do you think it's going to disintegrate soon? If you're really
concerned, just make sure you drain the bike after a rainy ride and let
it dry. Stand bike on rear wheel and watch the water run out the vent
holes in the chain stays! Jobst insists that grease in and around the
seat post/seat tube junction will stop it but it hasn't been my
experience that this is foolproof. It does help though. You have to be
fastidious about it. Maybe spray a little oil in the bottom bracket
area once or twice a year (remove bb)?

Robin Hubert