No lock ring on BB?

[smurfalicious]

Okay this is weird but in putting this back together it came to my attention that there is no lock ring on my new BB. Even more odd is that I took the old one out to compare, and it doesn't have one either. I dug through the old parts box, and the new parts box and none to be found. Apparently it came this way, and I was riding it this way, but is it like, bad? Is it going to fall all apart on me?

[DebW]

Cartridge bottom brackets don't have lock rings. The threaded cups have 18-20 internal splines. Bottom brackets with separate spindle, cups, and bearings do need a lock ring or you'd have bearing falling out on the ground in the first 10 miles. Post a picture for us if you're not sure.

Sheldon Brown has pictures of cup-and-cone vs cartridge bottom brackets here.

[aicabsolut]

Then there are the new oversized, integrated, threadless BBs (like BB30). What bike and crankset do you have?

[smurfalicious]

I think you're right, it doesn't need one. Come to think of it I seem to recall that same notched look on my old MTB. There are only two parts to it. One big old chunk that has the spindles and a threaded side, and another little piece that threads in. I have no clue what it all is, came off probably a 2004-2005 Specialized Dolce. Unless they kept the silver bar tape on the bike in later years, then it could be newer. It's a Specialized crank set, that's about all I know. Was part of my $115 ebay score for the full component set, except brakes *sniffle*

[DebW]

I think you're right, it doesn't need one. Come to think of it I seem to recall that same notched look on my old MTB. There are only two parts to it. One big old chunk that has the spindles and a threaded side, and another little piece that threads in. I have no clue what it all is, came off probably a 2004-2005 Specialized Dolce. Unless they kept the silver bar tape on the bike in later years, then it could be newer. It's a Specialized crank set, that's about all I know. Was part of my $115 ebay score for the full component set, except brakes *sniffle*

That's a cartridge bottom bracket. The spindle, cups, and bearings are all sealed inside. The threaded parts holds it in the frame and have nothing to do with the bearing adjustment.