Bottom Bracket Fixed Cup Maint/Removal
 

It seems merziac and I are in the minority when it comes to bottom bracket fixed cups ( see https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ight-pull.html ). So, here's a poll to see if we have any allies.

Include a fifth category: fixed cup removal only to install a cartridge bb.

Good idea, only I can't figure out how to add it or it won't let me. Anyhow, that might fall into the only if damaged option.

My approach:

• if just for maintenance, I'll check for damage and if none is apparent, I'll check if it is still tight and most often just clean and grease it in situ
• if it is to be replaced with a shorter/longer/whatever different type, I'll remove it. If that turns out to be a risk and it is in good shape, I will reconsider the replacement and look for other options
• if it needs to come out because it is damaged or I really want that particular Gipiemme triple, it comes out, no matter what

I voted "Only if damaged".

You forgot the "Always" option too. ;)

Before I got the proper tools, I would leave the fixed cup in place and clean it the best I could from the opposite side. Now, I don't think twice about removing the fixed cup to do a proper overhaul.

I think that one falls into the on a regular basis option.

:thumb:

This is the only correct answer. ;)

Maybe, and that's how I voted but it leaves wiggle room where there is none for me. ;)

Now and then.

This would be my vote, though I fear it may not be a sustainable solution for long with Italian bottom brackets. Maybe Velo Orange will step up, but it seems that Shimano has stopped making square taper Italian threaded bottom brackets (or at least I couldn't find a new one when I needed it recently). Since cartridge BBs aren't serviceable, there may come a day when I find myself looking for vintage cup and cone bottom brackets to replace them as they fail.

Of course, this leaves the original question. Suppose you have a cartridge bottom bracket that last for an improbably long time. For instance, maybe you invested in a Phil Wood and after 20,000 miles it's still spinning smoothly. Would you ever remove it just to regrease the threads? Me personally? No.

So I voted, only when damaged.

Yes, I would remove it just to regrease the threads. This would assure it can be easily removed when it needs to be replaced. 15 minutes of preventive maintenance can save hours of frustration.

I like to maintain fixed cups in situ if possible. However, there are lots of reasons to remove one.
I will remove a fixed cup based on a couple criteria considered at the same time.

I consider, in the following order:

1. Is it damaged? If it is, sure, take out by whatever means necessary, unless I believe the bike is not really going to be ridden much at all.
2. Can I get it out? If I can easily, sure, take it out.
3. Is it RH or LH threaded? I am more likely to leave in an RH threaded fixed cup because it might be stuck (and that's a good thing in this case) and it might be hard to find another one!
4. What's the future use going to look like? If it's going to be commuted on in salt and weather, or ridden in muddy sandy areas, I will remove it and change it for a sealed BB regardless of the condition, to save the future strife.
5. What's the BB? If it's worth saving/preserving/reselling, and not on this bike, then I'll take it out and replace it with something appropriate for the quality level of the bike and its expected duty. I might even consider polishing the pitting out of an old damaged cup from a respectable marque, depending on the extent of the damage. There is absolutely no sense in leaving a nice Campy or Stronglight or TA BB on a bike which is going to be used for all weather touring or commuting!

Basically, be sensible. There are always exceptions.

:popcorn

I'm between choices 3 and 4, leaning toward 4, esp. since reading the recent admonitions of some of the "do it every time" purists. So far I haven't had one thwart me yet, but I suppose if I encounter one that really puts up a fight, and it's for a low-buck build / rehab, I may opt to leave it in.

Moved to “Politics and Religion”.

Weld or glue in place; purchase grease gun extender tube. Procure and use a high suction vacuum. Scoff at the crunchy sound after you put it all back together.

I just sell the frame.

All joking aside, I take it out every several overhauls, not each one.

Every time. Just part of doing the job the way it should be done.

Amen brother. ;)

Shop mechanic: "The DS BB cup is stuck, can I just leave it?"

Shop manager: "Sure, I'll have somebody that can do it get it out, don't bother coming back tomorrow."

Looks like we are not truly in the minority even if you add all the others together right now, but the non believers seem to be much quicker to defend their position as I would expect. ;)

FiFY.

But the cup is still stuck. ;)

Does your definition of "proper tools" include the Sheldon Brown nut-washers-and-bolt system?

When I took the 1959 Capo to CyclArt for a repaint, I needed help removing the fixed cup. Jim Cunningham had a bench vise mounted atop a long pole in the middle of a large room, and that was the only way we could garner enough leverage to break it loose.

For an ISO, British, or Swiss-threaded BB, I can justify removing the fixed cup, but how about Italian or French? I find I need to use Loctite to keep those fixed cups "fixed." Is it really advantageous to take these in and out and grease the threads when they inherently have trouble staying tight because of a major (self-loosening) design blunder?

I fully strip all bikes when they come in (including removing the fixed cup). Otherwise when I'm doing routine maintenance I will remove the fixed cup every other time.

It is easier to clean the cup and place bearings and grease out of the frame. If it was installed properly once then it can be installed again. Who says the initial installer did a better job than you can?

I don't really grease those, minimal smear to stem corrosion, but the same process that gets a seized/stuck cup out is used to get it properly tight in the inverse when reinstalling it.

Properly servicing the threads can insure them from becoming a problem.

I have never had any cup come loose that I know of. ;)

Of course, it would also have to be remoed if one wanted to do an extra-spiffy frame refinish, too :)

DD

I assume they didn't no matter what, I want to see for myself, that's why I take them out and make certain it is done correctly.

If it wasn't done correctly or is seized, damaged, worn and ignored it will be rectified right then and there. ;)

That's the spirit. :D