Just had a shift that tested every patience I had with stubborn bottom brackets

I work the night shift at a shop in Portland, and last Wednesday I had a customer bring in a vintage 90s mountain bike with a bottom bracket that hadn't been touched in probably 15 years. The thing was seized so bad I snapped two different pullers trying to get the cup out. I finally resorted to the old heat and penetrating oil trick, left it soaking for an hour, and still had to use a pipe wrench on the tool to get enough leverage. On the other hand, the next bike that came in was a brand new gravel rig with a threaded BB that spun right out with just a twist of the wrench. Made me wonder if the older stuff is worth the headache compared to modern designs, or if I'm just getting soft. Has anyone else had a specific brand or era of bike that always fights you like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_angela11d ago

Snapped a Park Tool puller on a Trek 8500 once and the shrapnel hit me in the leg.

mason.margaret11d ago

Well I guess that's one way to test if Park Tools REALLY stands behind their warranty. I bet your leg was REAL impressed with the quality control.