Which tool for this bottom bracket adjustable cup?
#1
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From: Chicago
Bikes: '86 Voyageur, '82 Voyageur SP FOR SALE, '88 Le Tour fixed Townie, 2011 Diamondback Overdrive 29er
Which tool for this bottom bracket adjustable cup?
No pin holes! I did look at Sheldon and in a book we have laying around here but both only refer to the pin spanner type. (Of course I might have missed something at Sheldon Brown...)
This is on a early/mid 90's (I'm guessing) Trek 800 Mountain Track.


thanks!
This is on a early/mid 90's (I'm guessing) Trek 800 Mountain Track.
thanks!
#2
Large, good-quality adjustable ("Crescent") wrench. The corners of the jaws need to square to grip the flats on the cup. It shouldn't need that much force to turn.
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Jeff Wills
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#3
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
It takes a 15mm (usually) open end wrench, or as Jeff says an adjustable. There is a tool made for the job, but it's relatively expensive and not so easy to source. You shouldn't need the specific tool unless trying to remove one that's rusted in.
I use a cone wrench, and if I have trouble with keeping it on, I stack a bunch or washers onto the spindle, and use the crank bolt and washer to lock the tool to the cup.
I use a cone wrench, and if I have trouble with keeping it on, I stack a bunch or washers onto the spindle, and use the crank bolt and washer to lock the tool to the cup.
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race

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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
I always use 16mm cone wrenches on these when the crank is in place, and one or two 5/8" open-end wrenches with the crankarm outta the way. I believe they are all 16mm (5/8"), What I think FB meant btw.
You can easily apply some serious torque with two wrenches.
Funny coincidence, but I was JUST adjusting a bb with the somewhat-similar 25mm hexagon protrusion that is about as common as this type.
You can easily apply some serious torque with two wrenches.
Funny coincidence, but I was JUST adjusting a bb with the somewhat-similar 25mm hexagon protrusion that is about as common as this type.
Last edited by dddd; 09-03-12 at 06:06 PM.
#5
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Probably, I don't bother trying to remember details like wrench size. When I face a job like this, I select the wrench that fits, then promptly forget which.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
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I usually use a 12 inch crescent on these after removing the cranks and haven't found one that wasn't resonably easy to remove after removing the lockring these usually only take about 20lbs force to get moving.
#7
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race

Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
I don't like adjusting bb's with the crankarm in place, but often I find that a newly-rebuilt cup/cone type bb will require one or two minor tightening adjustments before settling into a long, happy service life, so it's nice to be able to do the adjustment with the crankarms in place.
And if those are cottered arms, fugettaboutit., I'll just drip Phil oil in and adjust with the arms cottered for life.
I had to use cone wrenches, 2 of them, 17mm, to remove a French pedal the other day. Good thing they're made of the best metal.
#9
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race

Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Wise guy!
Anyway, I kind of seek alternatives to Park tools. Something about their trade-marking the color blue, it's just too "Wall Street".
I mean, how many colors are there? Should their also be a similar limit on how many tool brands can exist in the market?
What's next, someone will trade-mark silver and black?
Anyway, I kind of seek alternatives to Park tools. Something about their trade-marking the color blue, it's just too "Wall Street".
I mean, how many colors are there? Should their also be a similar limit on how many tool brands can exist in the market?
What's next, someone will trade-mark silver and black?
#10
Wise guy!
Anyway, I kind of seek alternatives to Park tools. Something about their trade-marking the color blue, it's just too "Wall Street".
I mean, how many colors are there? Should their also be a similar limit on how many tool brands can exist in the market?
What's next, someone will trade-mark silver and black?
Anyway, I kind of seek alternatives to Park tools. Something about their trade-marking the color blue, it's just too "Wall Street".
I mean, how many colors are there? Should their also be a similar limit on how many tool brands can exist in the market?
What's next, someone will trade-mark silver and black?
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Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
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#11
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From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.
If it doesn't come loose easily with a crescent wrench or similar don't bother getting a specialized too. Just grab the threaded portion with visegrips and yank it out of there, put in a fresh one. Puill out the fixed cup as well (bike shop can do or Google sheldonbrown fixed cup.
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 09-04-12 at 10:09 AM.
#13
#15
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From: Chicago
Bikes: '86 Voyageur, '82 Voyageur SP FOR SALE, '88 Le Tour fixed Townie, 2011 Diamondback Overdrive 29er
Thanks everyone! We do have cone wrenches and a big crescent wrench somewhere. I'll report back if I have any trouble or notice anything particularly interesting. The bike is in pretty bad shape, so I reckon I'll be back here in Bicycle Mechanics with more questions as I go along.
(The plan is to convert the bike into a two speed commuter/utility bike.)
(The plan is to convert the bike into a two speed commuter/utility bike.)
#16
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From: Tucson, Arizona
Bikes: '02 Lemond Buenos Aires, '98 Fuji Touring w/ Shimano Nexus premium, '06 Jamis Nova 853 cross frame set up as commuter, '03 Fuji Roubaix Pro 853 back up training bike
As infrequently as I work on these, I would have forgotten too. Except that the 5/8" wrench also fit made the size "memorable".
I don't like adjusting bb's with the crankarm in place, but often I find that a newly-rebuilt cup/cone type bb will require one or two minor tightening adjustments before settling into a long, happy service life, so it's nice to be able to do the adjustment with the crankarms in place.
And if those are cottered arms, fugettaboutit., I'll just drip Phil oil in and adjust with the arms cottered for life.
I had to use cone wrenches, 2 of them, 17mm, to remove a French pedal the other day. Good thing they're made of the best metal.
I don't like adjusting bb's with the crankarm in place, but often I find that a newly-rebuilt cup/cone type bb will require one or two minor tightening adjustments before settling into a long, happy service life, so it's nice to be able to do the adjustment with the crankarms in place.
And if those are cottered arms, fugettaboutit., I'll just drip Phil oil in and adjust with the arms cottered for life.
I had to use cone wrenches, 2 of them, 17mm, to remove a French pedal the other day. Good thing they're made of the best metal.








