Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,841
Likes: 538
From: Seattle WA
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
I literally destroyed a crank on one of my early rebuilds attempting to remove the cotters -after that I forked over the cash for a bikesmith cotter press, it wasn't cheap but I like rebuilding old bikes and it has more than paid for itself and its never failed to remove a cotter in the 10 or so times I have used it. If you can find a shop that works on old bikes it can sometimes pay to have them do it just to avoid the aggravation lol but yes it can be a good workout