Cycling UK Forum

Just bought a new Campag Chorus triple chainset and a BB from Bike+ http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/ ordered it on Wednesday, in my hands on Thursday. Good service, eh?

Anyway, I tried to get the old BB out. It'd been in there 3 years or more. I HAD given the threads a good clean out, and then liberally coated everything with grease before installation. On Friday I tried to remove it ......

I've always used a 'Peg Spanner' for all my BBs over the years, and it has served me well, but this time the RH cup refused to move. (Yes, I was turning it the correct way!) I went round to my LBS, and the chap removed the offending cup. £3.50 well spent, I feel.

Meanwhile, I ordered a Park tool from Wiggle:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360009364

Why didn't I do it years ago?! Wonderful!

Morals:
1. Always have the right tool for the job.
2. Remove your BB every now and again, BEFORE it seizes in the frame.

I had the same problem but bought one of these. I like it.

http://www.billys.co.uk/english/group.php?prod=2hz-c203

My 'peg spanner' wasn't a million miles different to that. It was adjustable and useful, but didn't have the 'all round' grip that the right tool has.

What goes around comes around. I have a F.A.G. bottom bracket tool from the 80s. Perfect fit on Campag square taper b/bs & it has handles on both sides so I can pull & push.

There used to be a very helpful chap who made all sorts of bits and pieces for bikes including some beautifully machined tools. He used to have a stand at the York Rally (as it was once called) and sold his wares at very low prices. I have a BB tool which was only a couple of quid and on the appropriate type of BB shell it is luxury to use. (The rack mount for a rear LED lamp which I have illustrated on here before alsocame from him.)

As for fixed cups (LHS). I remember a chap at Mildenhall rally, by contrast) who sold a great fixed cup remover consisting of a machined lump of steel with flats at one end for holding in a vice and a threaded stud at the other onto which a couple of washers an a 1" AF nut fitted. This assembly is designed to remove the fixed cup in a controlled and effective fashion with the minimum of fuss which it does with consummate ease. I daresay it must have been the same helpful chap...

sheldon brown has the answer, of course...
i've never found one that can't be adequately gripped by a record 100mm vice , so haven't tried the nut & bolt method
http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html