troie

Im gettinga new frame in a few months and was wondering if I could install the bottom bracket and the headset without the use of any special tools. I have hoursehold tools latying around but I dont have any special bike tools. If I did need special tools, what would they be?

sydney

I'd recommend the right tools,especially if you don't know what you are doing. And,the inept bugger stuff even with the right tools.Better yet,take it to LBS. www.parktool.com has the drill, and tools in the repair section.

Brian

There's no way around the BB tool, and it really takes a delicate touch to install one if you've never done it before. Especially in an aluminum frame. You'll be threading steel into soft aluminum threads. If you stuff up, the steel wins, your frame can be ruined. Best to have the shop chase the threads and install the BB. No big dramas, and they shouldn't charge more than $20. Less if they like you. As far as the headset, you're looking at a $100 tool, easily. Plenty of guys on here have made their own from a long threaded bolt, some nuts, and large, thick washers. Just do a search in the forums for "Home made headset tool" and you should find it, or someone might post it on this thread. I'd make the cheap one if I didn't already have the shop one. It certainly pays to invest in a few tools and do your own work, but unless you're real comfortable with certain things, it's better to get some assistance. Good luck. Oh, what kind of frame?

Nessism

I have one of the home made headset presses. Threaded rod from a hardware store, a few nuts and assorted washers later and you're in business. No way around a bottom bracket tool but the good news is that they can be had for about $10 or so. Not difficult to use but be careful to make sure you don't cross thread it going in.

Ed

Brian

Imagine my anxiety as I threaded the BBs into our brand new titanium tandem frame. Doesn't matter that I've done it a jillion times, this is MY new bike. A little bit of grease on the threads, and they went in smoother than on any frame I've ever worked on.

ivan_yulaev

What's so hard about installing a BB? Just thread in very delicately by hand, if you encounter resistance, then you are crossthreading.

The headset, that is another matter. Little bit more difficult to get the cups in :-)

Brian

Nothing is hard about it. But if you've never done it before, it's certainly the easiest way to ruin a frame.

Raiyn

You didn't use Ti prep?

Brian

Nope. Park grease on the BB. Ti prep on just about everything else.

Raiyn

How's that working out for you?

Brian

Fine. Why wouldn't it? I think using Ti prep on the couplers was a wise choice, but not for the BB.

phantomcow2

Yea i would like to know what is really difficult about installing the BB. I didnt want to wait a day for my shop to do it (i had gone 2 weeks without riding, sue me) so i did it myslef. Just stick grease on, carefully thread them in the right way and i am yet to encounter issues

sydney

Should work out just fine.Grease always worked for me. Wanna start another grease thread?

James H Haury

Installing a bb is not that difficult but you have to have the right tools .The best way to get the tools you need at the least cost is to go with a package deal of bike specific tools .You will spend much more buying everything separately.I recommend the nashbar big tool kit.

sydney

Never bought a kit,and am the better for it.

Trogon

Sometimes it's not that easy. I just finished building up a custom titanium frame that presented an interesting problem. It is always my practice to hand thread the BB in first, pull it out, grease it and hand thread it in again.

Well this time I encountered a bunch of resistance. Cross-threaded? Bad threads? Put it in and out a half-dozen times. Same problem. The BB was used. Was it screwed up? Tried a second BB, same problem although it went in further. Now it's Campy vs. Shimano too.

Turns out that the guy who tapped the shell was using an old cup to check his work. The old cup was not as deep as the newer one I was using. He had not tapped the shell until the threads reached the relieved area in the middle.

So, that's what's so difficult about installing a BB, especially for someone who's asking "if there are special tools needed."

I wonder how someone facing what I was facing (I, having installed 100s of BBs without ever seeing this problem) would figure it out.

Trogon

There is no problem assuming that the shell has been done correctly. If not, then the problem can be quite huge.

Portis

I have that kit. Everything you need, with the exception of headset press. Not the best quality but you get a LOT of tools for $50. And when you only use them a few times a month, who cares?

bostontrevor

I suspect someone who's never installed a BB wouldn't be doing their first on what sounds to like a custom or at least handbuilt frame. Still, even if they were, they would just get confused and maybe a little scared and take it to the LBS. Problem solved.

Personally my rule for installing a BB is that it should never be threaded in with a wrench. If the shell is steel with some surface rust or the threads have never been chased, it may take some work. Grease the shell threads pretty thoroughly, carefully match up the BB threads and turn it in until you can't go any further. If it's not all the way in, it means that the threads are contaminated. No worries, just sink it as far as you can and then back it out. Wipe out all the grease with a rag on both sets of threads and repeat the above procedure until you can get the BB seated all the way. This will clean the shell threads if necessary.

sydney

If installing a BB is such a no brainer,then how do people manage to strip threads and do other nasty things to frames? The inept and mechanically disenfranchised can certainly manage to do serious damage.Best advice as already stated,is thread it in by hand.If it doesn't feel right stop and figure out why.

Nessism

I agree. Sometimes the threads are not perfect and care must be taken to make sure it's not crossthreaded. No biggie for an experienced wrench but could be a deal breaker for a newbie.

That said, I don't think newbies should be afraid. Knowledge is power and how is one to learn if not by doing? Just be careful and all should be fine.

Ed

Brian

The isssue wasn't grease, but why use grease over Ti prep in a Ti frame.

capwater

Those who can do, those who can't write checks. I make a fair amount of money (irrigation work) doing things people can't or won't do themselves. To me it;s a no brainer if you have some mechanical skill and don't mind getting a tad dirty. Then again, I have no problem cashing the checks from the preppy guys in polo shirts.

Brian

Hey! I used to be the preppy guy in Polo shirts. Not so much now. I can fix anything except a broken relationship. And Windows.

orguasch

if your not comfortable doing it have the pros do it for you, I think its $70.00 to fully assemble a bike, as for me,I can wrench my own bike