On the bright side.

[w0nderer]

20. okay if your bb (bottom bracket) is broken

i'll post a link to pic here (where the axle comes out / or goes in to hold the crankset is the bb)

http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/bicycleparts.html
if your bb is toast, don't ride....walk it to a store and have her fixed
sorry....that'll crack a frame eventually

the higher you spin (higher pedals per minute 80-100 or so as opposed to 50-80) the less wear you put on it
also gaining approx 20-25% power/endurance due to working right in the 'powerband' of humans

have you checked your hometown for bicycle co-op/college co-ops

frequently they will lend you tools, coffee and sometimes a helping hand

for online
http://parktool.com/blog/repair-help/
i'll post some more later if you want

but feel free to ask (i ride a trek cromo 1998..orig she was $500 new, i got her for free, and since i worked in a bikestore at the time, she's now $1500 (parts and bearings) and yes..that's worth it..due to durability