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I finally understood why old guys hate new bottom bracket tools
Three years ago at the shop in Boulder, I spent an hour fighting a press-fit BB with the 'correct' tool. An old racer walked by, laughed, and said 'kid, just use the threaded cup from a square taper and a big washer.' I tried it and it seated perfectly in two minutes. Now I keep a junk cup in my box just for that. Anyone have a better trick for stubborn press-fit bottom brackets?
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murray.cora1mo ago
Old racer wisdom is legit. That washer trick is a lifesaver when the proper tool just spins and strips. For the really stubborn ones that still creak after install, I clean the shell with acetone and use a tiny bit of green Loctite bearing retainer. Let it cure for a full day before you ride. The factory tolerances are sometimes just bad and you need the extra help.
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samk771mo ago
Heard some guys swear by the freeze method for really stuck cups. Ever try that? Stick the cup in the freezer overnight before you press it in.
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the_christopher1mo ago
My buddy in Denver tried that freeze trick @samk77 mentioned on a really cheap carbon frame. It worked but he said the cup felt weird going in, like it was almost too tight. I mean, maybe it's just me but I'd worry about stressing the shell like that.
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