![]() Finally, you need either the tube of Finish Line Anti-Seize that came with your cranks, or else some grease, but definitely one of the two. The CrMo and the Ti sprocket bolts both require a 7/32″ allen key. GDH BB bolts are 8mm allen, standard flush mount bolts are 7/32″, original hollow flush mount and SS crank bolts are 1/4″, and original and Madera crank bolts require a 9/16″ socket. You will also need a wrench (or spanner for our international readers) to turn that crank tool, a medium sized crescent (adjustable) wrench will do, and the appropriate allen key or socket for the type of bolt you have, as well as for the sprocket bolt. You might need the hammer, so keep it handy, but don’t be eager to use it. If you bought the cranks new, then you should have got one in the box, otherwise, borrow one from a friend, or buy one here, here, or here. Save yourself the headache, get a crank tool. It’s a fairly quick route to voiding your warranty, actually. While it’s possible to just hammer the cranks on, it’s really not a good idea, and we certainly don’t recommend it. First of all, you really need the Profile Crank Install Tool. Remove one of the bearings, add one of the thin flat washers (or a longer tube spacer) and reinstall the bearing.īefore we get started, we’ll need to gather some tools. If it is too short, then the bearings will pinch once you tighten the cranks and the cranks will not spin smoothly. Installing an American BB is pretty much the same as installing a Mid or a Spanish, except the fit is usually not nearly as tight, and you’re pressing aluminum cups into a usually steel frame rather than steel bearings into a steel frame so they’re going to slide easier anyway.īefore you go any further, check your tube spacer- it should be touching both bearings. It’s better to have a tube spacer that’s 1mm too long than it is to have one that’s too short- you might as well not have one there at all in that case, and you need a tube spacer so that the bearings don’t pinch when the cranks are tightened down. When the cup is almost tight, it’s not unusual for the bearings to move outwards slightly- don’t freak out here. Again, wrap the threads with teflon tape if you like, and snug it up. The non-drive side cup is right-hand threaded, so it tightens normally. ![]() Insert the proper tube spacer for the width of your BB shell. The drive side cup has a line around it and is left-hand (reverse) threaded. If you really want to do it right, because you hate hearing your BB creaking, then you should get some teflon tape from the hardware store and wrap the threads of the cups. Ideally, you should clean the threads of the frame, and then give them a light coating of grease. Installing a Euro (English/ISO) BB is pretty simple.You will need a 36mm headset wrench. Do not hit the bearings in the center race- hit the outside edges, starting at the top and working your way around the edges, with the intent of pushing the bearing in as evenly as possible. Do not hit the bearings as hard as you can. If you don’t have access to a bearing press and the vice or C-clamp isn’t working for you, you can get a rubber or wooden mallet and tap the bearings in place. Flip the frame over, insert the gold tube spacer, and then the other bearing. ![]() Using a bearing press: lay the frame flat so the BB is under the press, and place the bearing atop the shell, bring the press down, keeping the frame as square to the table as possible.You might need a friend to help support the frame. In all scenarios, you should first spread a bit of grease on the BB shell where the bearings will sit. You can do it that way, but the bearings can get damaged, your frame can get damaged, and you really should avoid using a hammer on your bike as much as possible, it’s just not the right tool for the job in most cases. The last method is to get a 2×4 and a hammer and bash the bearings into place. You can even use your cranks, if you already have one crank arm installed on the BB spindle. ![]() If you don’t have a bench vice, you can get C-clamps from a hardware store for less than $20 and use them with the wood squares.
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