Originally Posted by
Rubato
I've seen the spreading done with a bushing on each side of the bottom bracket and the frame held in the comfort zone by a large vise. It puts the chainstays right at shoulder level and there's quite a bit of control. It's cool. Can anyone tell me what the bracket/bushing thing is and where I can get one?
thanks
This is definitely the hard way and offers little benefit. But if you like you don't need anything special. Simply use 2 big washers to protect the faces of the BB shell, or install old or scrap steel cups or cartridge lockrings in either side sticking out beyond the faces before clamping in the vise. I said old or scrap, because there's a decent chance of marring steel cups cosmetically, or damaging aluminum cups.
This isn't complicated and doesn't need to be made so. If you wish to have more leverage or control then my lift from the floor method offers, put the 2x4 in a vise sticking out enough to reach the length of the chainstays to the BB. Slip the chainstays over the BB and bend to one side by pulling on the frame. If you like you can drive a nail into the side of the 2x4 down near the vise for the drop out to rest on to help keep the frame from slipping down.