Never mind that I don't know what kind of cartridge to buy to put in there, I don't even know how to tell WHAT it is.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 20:20 (eleven years ago) link
Count the splines - it's most likely a 20-spline shimano-type bb cartridge, which means the basic bb tool is what you want for removal and replacement, no complications - none of the shell width, threading, spindle-taper stuff should make a diff.
If splines ≠ 20, it's beyond my (v v basic) understanding, ask an expert.
― woof, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:00 (eleven years ago) link
Okay so I need: allen key sized for the crank bolts, a crank puller, and the 20-tooth spline tool. And I need to know what bb to replace it with.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:22 (eleven years ago) link
yup, that sounds right. the old one will almost certainly have identifying info on it, but you'd have to get it out to see that properly iirc.
― woof, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:50 (eleven years ago) link
I could get it out and put it back and at least clean & regrease and write down the brand/model. So I guess I'll spring for the tools first.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:58 (eleven years ago) link
I don't even want to think about what it's going to cost because judging from online forums if I don't get the exact thing that's there now, I'm headed deep into chainline measurement/alignment territory and I don't know shit about that shit.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:04 (eleven years ago) link
Your plan sounds right. It's what I'd do.
If it's square taper, you should be able to find an affordable match - if you can't find the exact model, I think the basic variables are shell width, threading, spindle length + spindle taper (JIS or ISO). It feels complicated, but it is manageable.
― woof, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:18 (eleven years ago) link
outboard uber alles
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:38 (eleven years ago) link
internally splined BBs seem so arcane to me now (let alone loz's beloved cotters; a friend stopped by my house recently and wanted my advice on a loose cottered crank and i had no fucking idea what the problem was, so i said 'hit it with this hammer'. it worked.)
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:40 (eleven years ago) link
it's occurred to me recently that all the money i've spent on parts/maintenance should've just been spent on tools. i am a terrible mechanic, but at least i would've learned something. srsly: a G on repairs in the last five years (nb i get a mid-winter overhaul annually), probs. i have the equivalent to an ak-37 now, plus stand, but all those tools would've been a whole lot more useful years ago
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:43 (eleven years ago) link
Fuck, my 3-spd is STILL in pieces because I never got that drive-side crank apart and I know anyone I take it to now is going to want to shoot me.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:43 (eleven years ago) link
"we don't do that here"
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:44 (eleven years ago) link
I'm embarrassed to even watch them r-their-de at me.
xp to be honest it really helped that I hardly needed any specialized tools to start? For older bikes, you can get everything you need (or at least a make-shift solution) at yr average decently stocked hardware store.
― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:45 (eleven years ago) link
by which you mean "a hammer"
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:57 (eleven years ago) link
but yeah, the simplicity of old stuff is nice. tho i think that modern mountain bikes (more than fusty ol road bikes) have done a lot to standardize things. a tri-tool can do a whole lot these days. and almost all adjustments can be handled by a single set of allens: shifter/levers, brakes, stem/headset, pedals (installation and removal), cinch bolts on cranks (outboard), seat/post, derailleurs (mounting). funny splined wrench, headset press, truing stand, spoke wrenches, philips-head (several), stand, "small parts (including cable/housing)", yr set.
i'm leaving out tools for hub work because that shit is alchemy to me
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:04 (eleven years ago) link
^^^ gbx's shopping list
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:05 (eleven years ago) link
otm about allen keys but pedals without spanner grip are disgusting, savage.
― ledge, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:14 (eleven years ago) link
eggbeaters are allen only!!!
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:25 (eleven years ago) link
I've got some Candies that are, but my regular ones ain't!
― ledge, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:28 (eleven years ago) link
weird, mine are
they old-ish
― catbus otm (gbx), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:29 (eleven years ago) link
apparently only the chrome ones take a spanner. whhhhhhyyyyyyyyyy.
― ledge, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:31 (eleven years ago) link
I bought a really good basic toolkit from rei for ~$50 which had all these tools in. Presumably it would duplicate a bunch you have but it was cheaper than buying odds and ends. Plus it had things like a cable stretcher which I'd never considered I needed but it turns out to be super useful.
There's a bunch on eBay as well.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 03:30 (eleven years ago) link