Previously when I've had annoying noises from my bottom bracket I've simply discarded it and bought a (cheap) new one. But the last time I replaced it I got a great offer and splashed out a little bit on a Hope Road Ceramic Bottom Bracket. A couple of years on (but only 2,000 miles later) I'm getting noises out of it when I pedal. Due to injury it has sat around for a long time while I recuperated. I'm trying to avoid replacing the bottom bracket if I can.
I don't need help diagnosing the source of the noise. Please assume my diagnosis is correct that the noise is from the bottom bracket - ball bearings or any other part of it including it's fitting to the frame
What I'm trying to understand is:
- Is there some maintenance (clean and re-grease?) that I should have been doing but missed? Beyond cleaning it externally I've done nothing to the BB
- Does the fact that it's ceramic make a difference to question 1?
- Are the ball bearings generally a sealed unit or is it possible to open, clean and re-grease them?
My "bike mechanic" skills are self taught since I was a teenager. Naturally there's things I find I should have been servicing all along or monitoring but simply never knew I had to (for example rim-wear).