Bottom bracket types

[john_p]

I have a Shimano square taper cartridge BB which I think is on its way out (clicking madly)
I will probably need new chainrings soon and so will need new cranks- should I consider a different ?

I understand that with Hollowtech II I will need the frame "faced" and doubt this is worth it for my particular bike - are the other splined types worth considering instead, considering I have the tools for Shimano anyway ?

[Wildfire]

Just had a Deore Chainset fitted to my 13 year old Univega to replace an STX BB fitted with FSA Sidewinder cranks.

Sooo much lighter and no apparent problems fitting. The axel is connected to the right hand crank and the bearings screw into the frame.

I got the full chainset from Merlin cycles and paid £15 for the LBS to fit it and adjust the front mech height as I went for a bigger chainset.

[Nick_F]

Facing the frame - in effect trueing the sides of the BB shell - will take a bike shop a few minutes; it's a manual job, there's no machining or anything like that; you can check whether it's necessary yourself with a few good straightedges.

Persoanlly I'd go to HT2 - Shimano 105 or similar will not cost a huge amount if you shop around at CRC and the others; possibly less than the bill for replacing like with like, and the fitting tools aren't expensive either.