Sadly, no bottom bracket will last forever. Rough and graunchy sounding bearings or play in the cranks are a telltale sign that your bottom bracket is passed its best. Happily, we've put together this video to show you how to properly change your pressfit bottom bracket.
First of all, you'll need to remove the chainset from your bike. Remove the pinch bolts bit-by-bit, then flip up the security tab and remove the pre-load collar. Now the left hand side crank arm should come free.
>>> Are 48/30t sub-compact chainsets the next big thing
Next, using a soft faced mallet, you can tap the axle through, pulling the drive side chainset off.
In this video we're replacing a pressfit 30 bottom bracket, which has a 46mm diameter bottom bracket shell.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The next step is to remove the reducers that allow the bottom bracket to fit Shimano axles. Here you can use a punch and a hammer to tap them out the shell.
Watch: Are tubeless tyres indestructible?
If you want to remove the bearings only, you can use your punch again to tap it out of the bottom bracket assembly. Sadly, it isn't possible to replace the bearings in all bottom brackets.
However, if you can on yours the next job is to press the new bearings into place. Using the bearing press, push the bearing into place until it bottoms out.
Unfortunately, you may have to replace the whole bottom bracket. The technique is similar – using your punch, tap the plastic shell out.
A pressfit bottom is different to a threaded one and slightly harder to maintain
If the bottom bracket was hard to remove from the frame then you might want to fit the new one with some grease. Don't do this if you have a carbon frame, though.
Alternatively, if it came out very easily you might want to fit the new one with some Loctite just to keep it a bit more secure.
Regardless, you'll want to give the bottom bracket shell a good clean with some IPA before carrying on.
If you have an alloy frame you can smear a small bit of grease on the bb shell before installation.
The next job, after making sure everything is properly aligned is to press the bottom bracket into the frame. Try not to use excessive force – all this will do is cause damage to the bearings and even your frame.
Finally, you'll want to fit the chainset back to the bike. Be sure to give it a good clean first, though.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
