Bicycle Mechanics - Improvising BB lockring removal tool

After several months of splurging on my bike, my wife needed some gifts. So... after a new sofa and a few more sparklies, I'm a bit shy of spending more money, which leads me to my dilemma: I don't want to spend $12-15 on a lockring removal tool for my BB (and wait three days for it to be delivered (no LBS w/in 70 miles)). An old pair of needle nose pliers works fine as a replacement for the pin tool (I have an adjustable BB) but they don't work as well for the lockring (in fact, they don't work at all).

1. What could I use in place of the tool?
2. Is the lockring reverse threaded (i.e. clockwise to loosen)?

Thanks!

I've been CAREFULLY using a large channel lock wrench to remove the lock ring with very minimal marring on the lockring. I can very easily go out and buy the darn tool since I've practically own every other tool but since the channel wrench has worked so well over the years, there was really no reason to buy one.
It's alot cheaper to buy the B/B tool if you don't already own a large channel wrench...

George!

I've used a large set of pliers before I had a lockring tool, it worked fairly well. Just make sure you grip down hard. It is not reverse threaded.

If you are very careful, you can even use a pipe wrench.

I have not used a howitzer to shoot squirels, use the right tool for the job. That is what I have found out the hard way.

Don't be cheap spend the money a nd get the right tool for the job. You'll save yourself money by not damaging the part which WILL cost more to replace (always does) and you'll have the correct tool for next time.

Gotta agree here. Having the right tool also makes doing the work more enjoyable. If you were talking about a $200 Spoke Tensometer (which personally makes no sense to me), then I can understand, but for a $12 part ($20 with shipping) you should probably take the hit.

- Jeff

use the right tool True, but the "right tool" is not always the one the cyclist world says you need. I used channel locks and had absolutely no trouble. Quite easy in fact. Tools can become TOO specialized and you can spend $100 on tools that anyone with a decent tool set could quite easil improvise. Need-nose pliers for spanner wrenches, channel locks for lockrings, etc, etc, etc. ;)

Tools can become TOO specialized and you can spend $100 on tools that anyone with a decent tool set could quite easil improvise.

This is definitely true. I think it comes down to what you are willing to pay. You can accomplish 90% of what you want to do to your bike with a basic (spelled "non-bicycle") toolset. But there are some tools that just make a job easier. At very least, it gives a little peace of mind.

It's about what you think something is worth. A tool might seem really expensive, but once you begin the work and get frustrated, that extra $10-$20 is not gonna seem like a lot of money.

To me, it does not make a lot of sense to spend $1000 on a bike and not pay the extra $15 for wrench or remover or whatever. If you screw up and strip something out, that $1000 bike won't be worth anything sitting in the garage.

Of course, I am looking for the cheap way to go on a truing stand so maybe I am not one to talk. :)

- Jeff

Good points. It's really is a balance. I think specialized tools are most helpful when someone has gone before you ;) If I do the work myself, I never over-torque, etc but I've some machanics who thought the answer to everything was to sit on it...

So far, I've saved $50 in tools and have been quite happy with my results (and spent the $50 on shoes)... :)