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Can I install a Wheels Mfg press fit BB with a tool for a Hope 30mm external BB like this?
Absolutely no silly answers allowed
You could fit it with a lump hammer if you like.
Also it's very important to use completely the wrong tools, and badly at that, when installing of bottom brackets in order to then bitch and moan when they aren't very good.
What's the worst that could happen? Give it a go and let us know.
You need a 48.5mm 16 notch tool. Can't seem to find what diameter that tool is for though. This would definitely fit -
https://slam69.co.uk/products/park-tool-bbt-29-bottom-bracket-tool-39-mm-and-48-5-mm-16-notch-cups
I have one of those fitted to one of my bikes - you still need to press-in one side as there’s way to much friction for you to screw them together without mangling the BB cup - agree that the Park BBT-29 fits.
As above you'll probably need a simple press tool to fit one side (or some threaded bar and big washers if you're careful to keep it all square) then you screw the second half onto that with the spanner/socket tool which pulls them together.
In some cases the fit to the frame is loose enough that you don't need a press for the first half, but as a result you'd need two spanners so that you can stop the first half from spinning when you tighten the second half up to it.
Also depending on the frame, you might be better off with the socket type tool? On my Yeti ARC frame it was very borderline that the spanner nipped it up tight enough just at the point it was about to foul the frame around the BB junction to the chainstays. I reckon with a socket I'd have been happier it was fully torqued and may even have got an extra 1/4 turn on it as there's less 'land' around the outside of the tool.
No, it's a thread together so you need to buy the special tool as above. I had this BB on my spesh camber and it was a decent solution but the bearings still needed replacing at least once a year. If I was stuck with PF30 again I'd probably get a BB that adapts to 24mm cranks as I suspect they'd last much longer.
Unfortunately on the spesh I ended up having to buy two sodding tools so I could torque it up sufficiently to stop it working loose. But that will depend on tolerances of your frame.
Cheers for the replies
It is for an Arc actually. I just happen to have the tool for a threaded 30mm BB hence why I asked if that would fit the Wheels Mfg one.
I'd have gone for the Hope one but can't bring myself to pay £50 for the tool...
I fitted one similar to a road bike earlier this year, and it transpired that i had a couple of BB tools (one was an x-tools bb wrench) in the toolbox that fitted, so didn't need to go buy something specific. I'd hang on till it arrives and see if anything you've got works.
Speaking from experience even when using the correct size of these BB's for your BB shell, if the frame tolerance is tight it is possible to strip the threads out of the 2 halves if installed by winding in only... Expensive mistake.... Some frames may well require partial pressing in.