Are these instructions ok for bottom bracket installation? Here's the link:

http://www.terribleone.com/blog/arch...tion.final.jpg

It might be hard to read but you can zoom in a little bit. I know it's for a spanish bottom bracket, but is it the same principle for all bottom bracket installation? Because if it is, it seems simple enough.


And also, I found some instructions on how to make a home-made cup press. Will this work?

1/2" Steel rod with threads at the ends or one of the ends (roughly one foot long)

Washers (2 small, 2 large)

1/2" Nuts


It sounds just like this one at danscomp.com. It should look like this:

http://www.danscomp.com/products/TOOLS/811015.jpg

Do you think that that would work ok? It would be a heck of a lot cheaper than buying one of the ones at danscomp.com.

Each BB is different.

For a Euro, both of the cups thread backwards from the top, into the frame; thread one cup in (with either a very large crescent wrench or a pipe wrench, and don't forget to grease the threads), put the spindle in about halfway on that side, put the spacer onto it, and put on the other cup.

For an American, you simply pound or press the cups in (rubber mallet, or 2x4 and hammer), insert one of the bearings into a cup, put the spindle halfway through, put the spacer on the spindle, and then put the other bearing in.

And for a Spanish or Mid, put a bearing in (you should be able to press it in with your hand, after you grease it), put the spindle halfway in, slide the spacer on, and then put the other bearing in.

Ok, thank you very much for posting clear accurate instructions. It means a lot to me that you listened (well, you know what I mean). So do you not think I need a press for the American bottom bracket installation? And the cartriage bearings go into the cups, is that correct? And also, do you put the cups in so that the round side is in and the bowl looking side is facing outward? Then the bearings in that bowl-looking part? I'm just double-checking because I really don't want to mess up anything, especially anything with the bottom bracket. Then I just need to put the thin spacers on the drive-side, and the big spacer on the non-drive side, correct?


Oh, darn, I fogot to ask what parts I'm suposed to grease. Since there's no threads on the American BB cups or shell, is there still parts that I need to grease? Thanks much!

Take a look at the bearings, and the cups, and the frame, and then get back to me on how it fits in there. It's pretty damn obvious.

And I've never greased an American, although I suppose that it couldn't hurt.

the nut and bolt thing works fine for american BB's. no way would I pay for the one Dans sells though.

personally, I use a giant hammer and a block of wood. just hold the frame steady and make sure you aren't smashing something that you shouldn't be. a block of wood on the ground, your frame on that, your bearing cup and another block of wood on that works well.

I put grease on the inside of the bottom bracket shell for good measure. I've had frames that I could push the cups in by hand and some that just wouldn't go in at all even with a ton of grease.

did you purchase a frame yet?

Yes I have purchased the frame.

So are spanish and Mid BBs unsealed? Thats what it kind of sounds like, but I don't know why they would make a new style unsealed BB.

no, they are sealed

Block of wood is good for primo or square splined cranks but try it on some 48 spline cranks and you'll have toohpicks and a dead hammer and maybe if your lucky something broken. Try the park installation tool if nothing works ,I spent 2 days with some premium euro-lights before buying it.

what are you talking about?

use the hammer to press the cups in. the bearings and spindle should simply press into the cups. or need a slight tap with your palm or a rubber hammer. wood shouldn't be touching the spindle at all......

I have the press shown above (from Dans) and can tell you that it is much higher quality than home made versions. The Park Tools cup press is great, but doens't work when bearings are already in bottom brackets and it is something like 3 times the price of the one shown.

The cup press has saved me a lot of headache and worry when installing headsets and bottom brackets over the past few years - and after 15 years of hammering them in, I am well aware that it is possible to pound them in, this just makes it a lot easier.

The threads are a little shallower it seems than that which you would find on 1/2" threaded rod from Home Depot, also those aren't just washers, they are floating on bearings so that when you can easily crank down on the nut to press the cups in place without generating a ton of friction against a washer. It is, in my opinion, a definite equivalent to the Park Tools cup press at a fraction of the price and of much higher quality than a generic home made item.

Since I already had a dialed bike, it was a good Christmas gift, but I'm not sure I would buy it myself... I would recommend making a press instead of hammering the cups in. It's what I should have done when I started riding. drrrr

I also never use the spacer inside the cranks as it lets my cranks spin to easily. I hate (HATE!) when my cranks spin on their own, and removing that spacer will generate a little more friction on the cartridge bearings and keep your cranks from moving. Not as friendly to the cartridge bearing, but I haven't broken a cartridge bearing by doing this either.

wait are you talking about ghost pedaling ....when your cranks spin on their own....how do you stop that if you have a freewheel...

Yes, ghost pedalling. The pedals don't just spin on their own, it is because the cranks and chain don't have enough friction holding them in place. Remove the spacer inside sealed cranks, slightly overtighten the cranks (very slightly) and keep your chain tight - your cranks will never move. Doesn't matter if you have a freewheel, cassette, or freecoaster. The cranks will stay where you leave them.

Can make crankflips tougher though. :)

thanx...ive tried several things and tonight when i get home from school im trying that...