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I've not got 2 functional bikes (for the first time ever) with a combined number of about 900 cartridge bearings.
One tool I've never had is a proper bearing extractor or pressing-in kit. One of these bikes has bearings which are due for a swap, so before I go to town with my socket set and mallet, can anyone recommend a nice universal kit for doing the job properly?
I'd suggest just getting the specific puller for the bearings you have and the classic steel rod / nut / washer B&Q job.
I borrowed a mates fancy kit and still ended up doing it this way.
FYI - cheap, simple, doesn’t do everything, check the supported bearing codes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134602451562
I recommend the RRP presses, not cheap, but work well. But it may depend on which bikes you have.
I have what's called "A shop mechanic" it's great, all you really need is a credit card. You wheel/carry your bike in this thing on "The High Street" called "A Shop" leave it there, and go back there a couple of days later and hey-presto your bike works like new.
It's magic
I have what’s called “A shop mechanic” it’s great, all you really need is a credit card. You wheel/carry your bike in this thing on “The High Street” called “A Shop” leave it there, and go back there a couple of days later and hey-presto your bike works like new.
It’s magic
I've been doing all my own bike maintenance since I was a child with a few rusty allen keys and some old spoons for tyre levers. I'm not going to a bike shop for such an easy job especially when there's an excuse to buy new tools.
I’d suggest just getting the specific puller for the bearings you have and the classic steel rod / nut / washer B&Q job.
That's what I've always done in the past and just assumed a nice full kit in a case would be much easier to use.
Cheapo set of 4 expanding collect extractors with slide hammer from eBay has served me well. Worth getting a set of drifts and press as above. I bought the lifeline one but it cost a great deal more and I suspect the cheap ones will be just as good.
RRP kit is very good and easy to use + you only buy the bearing press kits you need, so hopefully you don't have 900 different sized bearings.
The one your shop will probably have is this:
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/suspension-bearing-kit-sbk-1
Whether or not that woks for you depends on your budget and how often you think you'll use it.
Bsc tools every time
https://www.bearingprotools.com/
Think someone on here mentioned these guys. They do sets for specific bikes, so you probably don't even have to work out exactly what you need. Not a huge step up from threaded bar/washers but definitely an improvement, and if you want to save a few quid you can opt for nuts and use your own spanner/socket. Note I don't actually have one (yet).
Used the bearing pro tools blind extractor on the levo Horst double blinds, worked fine, but you need to tighten it up like a demented farmer.
I have some
RRP drifts, bearing pro tool drifts and BSC drifts. The bearing pro tool drifts are slightly different to the RRP and BSC (both similar) so I use them slightly differently.
I have the BSC handled press and a variety of threaded rod and thrust washers.
I have a fair few bearing pro tool drifts and headset and bottom bracket drifts and a few bottom bracket and blind pullers.
All good but the handled press makes it much nicer than a nut and spanner.
Used the bearing pro tools blind extractor on the levo Horst double blinds, worked fine, but you need to tighten it up like a demented farmer.
Same on Bird double blinds at the back of the chainstay.
That was the definitive moment that ended the new bike honeymoon period.
I've looked at all options and concluded that unless changing bearings as a paid job the kits are too expensive - even the budget/DIY options would add up to £80 + for my frame. Spend under a tenner on a selection of bolts, nuts and washers from somewhere like Toolstation. Watch some Youtube videos to get an idea for the sizes and technique. Use with sockets- helps if you've got a wide range. protect frame with something like an old neoprene overshow.
I’ve got an RRP kit I need to sell. I decided I’d rather pay my LBS to do this stuff than use up my limited time on a job I do too infrequently to be efficient at!
Same on Bird double blinds at the back of the chainstay.
That was the definitive moment that ended the new bike honeymoon period.
I've just done mine (first time I've done bearings) and it was painless - they came out relatively easily using the Bearing Pro Tools expanding things. I was expecting the worst as I'd read some horror stories!
I have used the bearing pro tools for a specialized. The press was good.
The double blind Horst bearing defeated the tap out remover for one bearing size. No matter how tight I did it it pinged out and eventually deformed.
I bought a cheap full size slide hammer set from eBay or Amazon. It did the job and honestly I think it was an edge of tolerance issue on the frame that was the real culprit as when it budged it bought a little shred of alloy with it.
It's quite satisfying when it's done but it's a hateful job.
I just found this thread with a forum search for "bearing press extractor tool" so it appears that the search function is improving 🙂
Thanks for the recommendations above - just ordered the kits from BearingProTools for my Bird Aether 9c, plus a 688 drift & extractor to deal with the bearings on my Superstar Components jockey wheels.