Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Miche BB tool redux--happy discovery

There was a thread on this topic a while back. The problems were: 1) what tool fits the splines of a Miche BB cup, and 2) does that tool clear the BB spindle during installation. My happy discovery came from an unlikely place--the El Cheapo tool kit that I bought from Bike Nashbar last year. You know the one, every online store has a version with a different color tool dip; it sells for around $40. It comes with a 12 tooth freewheel removal tool which I had overlooked as I don't futz around with many freewheels. Anyway, it is a PERFECT FIT, and clears the spindle no problem. Is the tool worth the cost of the kit? Obviously not, but I probably use over half of what came with it and have augmented that with various Park Tools. Good enough for one guy wrenching occasionally in his apartment kitchen.

I've had a solid weekend of bicycle building, finally getting my new De Bernardi up and running with the Miche Primato group from Chucks. I laced the hubs to a pair of Open Pros, got their tension and trueness approved by someone who knows. For the headset and BB I got some help (and the use of their shop and tools for beer--who says people aren't generous) from an LBS. Pictures will follow when I have tweaked everything to perfection and have thoroughly tested its roadworthiness.

The park tool for shimano freewheels (not cassettes) also works. It clears the bottom bracket spindle well when you attach it with a crank bolt. If only one side clears, you can undo that side first and then push the bottom bracket over to do the other.

Wow, this one got revived! I remember reading this a while back when I faced the same problem when building my steamroller. Anyway, a little patience with a dremel fixed the tool clearance problem. The Miche group is NICE! If anyone's considering it but are afraid of the BB tool issue, have someone drill it out or dremel it. You'd be hard pressed to find a better deal on a cartrige bearing BB.

for an even clearer response...

The Park Campy BB/Freewheel remover, Park Toll BBT-5 will fit the splines AND clear the BB taper on Miche Primato bottom brackets...

for an even clearer response...

The Park Campy BB/Freewheel remover, Park Toll BBT-5 will fit the splines AND clear the BB taper on Miche Primato bottom brackets...

I mean, a HEAVILY USED Park Tool BBT-5 will fit...the new ones need modification...

I mean, a HEAVILY USED Park Tool BBT-5 will fit...the new ones need modification...

yeah, the splines on a new BBT-5 are a bit too fat. The tool that I mentioned at the beginning of this thread is the equivalent of the Park Tool FR-5, but with a bigger hole in the back to accommodate the bb spindle. Apparently some newer versions of this tool come with a protruding centering pin, which makes it pretty much useless in this application.