What tool to remove bottom bracket?

gtd.
gtd. Posts: 626
edited May 2012 in Workshop
I have an old 84 Motobecane Nomade that I bought to give road bikes a go.

It has a cup and cone bb, but it seems to be ISO/BSA rather than Swiss (Motobecane tended to use Swiss rather than French bb threading) as a Shimano UN plastic cup fits perfectly.

I cant find a tool to remove the fixed cup, it is a hex but the biggest sockets I own are 32mm or 1.1/4" and they aren't big enough. I tried a headset spanner but the 36mm end is a fraction too small, I can force it on but it slips off as the flats on the cup aren't very wide.

I want to change to a UN type cartridge bb for ease of use as its mostly used as a commuter and group ride bike.
Mountain: Orange Patriot FR, SubZero & Evo2LE.
Road: Tifosi Race Custom.
Do it all bike: Surly Disc Trucker 700c/29er

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Unless you can borrow a massive adjustable wrench, I think it will be cheaper to ask your LBS to remove it for you.

    The alternative is to spend time and money finding / purchasing a suitable tool that you'll possibly never use again.
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    if you have a vice - and the frame is reasonably stripped down for weight and manoeuvrability - you could use the vice jaws as a static spanner and turn the frame.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Ooh, that's a good shout.

    That's what I do when removing screw-on freewheels; tool clamped in vice then engaged in freewheel, simply turn the wheel anticlockwise to unscrew. Feels like I'm at the helm of a tea-clipper!

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