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Morning all,
In need to replace the BB71 on my gravel bike and am wondering if I should buy the tools to do it myself or pay a local mechanic 25 notes to do the job for me? I notice you can get the removal tool and press on Aliexpress for around £15.
I've always built and maintained my own bikes but this is my first one with a press fit hence not having the tools already.
So... easy job or one best left for an expert?
Have you ever replaced a headset or would you pay someone to do it?
Scotroutes has it in a nutshell. It's just a headset turned through 90°
For me personally, money on tools is never wasted.
The last headset I installed was with a block of wood and rubber mallet, but when you put it like that then I reckon I'll order the BB tools. Cheers guys 😉
Homemade press will do the job. I used one for years.
How cheap and easy is it to put together a homemade press vs buying a complete kit for 15 quid from China?
Then do you just knock the old BB out with a socket extension bar?
Cheap and easy.
To knock it out I'd use something wooden. Less chance of any damage to BB shell 🙂
They don't take much effort to get moving and just tap out evenly.
https://www.merlincycles.com/unior-1625-bottom-bracket-removing-tool-113862.html
Get one of these. Just brilliant. Eases the old one out in seconds, no thwacking involved
Thanks for the link, but I won't be re-using the old BB so no probs if the cups get a bit screwed up from using an old seat post and rubber mallet to knock it out BMX-style.
New question though... grease or Loctite 641 to fit the new one?
Also trying to figure out if I need a SM-BB71-41A or 41B (it's for a Cube NuRoad so I'm assuming 41B).
I got something very similar to this (there are umpteen options) off that there eBay. The quality of the one I got was superb. All parts marked nicely and well made. Came in a decent cardboard and foam inserts box.
This one is just over £30. Identical instruction sheet in mine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402443030695?hash=item5db37950a7:g:cloAAOSwsMZfZDMd
spend the money on the right tool and do it yourself.
much more satisfying and aren't bike mechanics rammed at the moment anyway?
when i had a press fit BB, i preferred the lower end (deore) shimano ones. they came on plastic cups, rather than aluminium . I'm fairly confident thats why it never creaked, and it posed no concerns of damaging the frame tapping them in with a 2"x 4"
Having just swapped my son's Remedy's GPX BB for a dub, I was glad of the correct tools. Bearing drift had to be hit with a proper mallet rather than my usual rubber hammer to get the cups to move. I would'nt have enjoyed doing that with a "bit of wood and screwdriver" approach!
I've got the BBB kit, but there are plenty of reasonably priced kits on Amazon that would do the job - eg. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VN5DP8W
Thanks for the replies folks.
My current SM-BB71 has plastic cups too, but after 2000ish miles it's got a bit of play in it and creaks when I put the power down.
I guess that's not bad considering I ride the bike on all terrain and in all weather.
I was just going to buy a like for like replacement but I've also been looking at the Token Ninja thread together BB though, which just needs two HTII tools to install. There's the Wheels MFG and Hope versions too, but they're £££.
As for tools, I did look into making a DIY press but for the price of the bits and bobs I found a good one on eBay from Burton Bikes. For removal I can get a bit of copper pipe for a few quid and cut some slots to splay out the ends, or get a removal tool in the Burton kit.
Just need to decide on what BB to get really.
Ended up going for a SM-BB92-41B (Dura Ace). Got it new from eBay for £20, which is funny as I'd offered the seller £25 but they declined and then removed the Best Offer option 😀
If it doesn't last I'll replace it with a Token Ninja or Wheels MFG.
As for tools, I ordered a press for £7.99 and a remover for £10. Also some Loctite 641 retaining compound.
Should all arrive in the next few days.