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SOC14: Enduro Shows Off PressFit BB Installation/Removal Tools

Written by Zach Overholt
27 Comments
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ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (7)

With new bottom bracket standards comes new tools in order to service them properly. We won’t say that all of the issues that face PressFit bottom brackets are due to improper installation, but it’s more than likely it is sometimes the case. In order to make the installation and removal process as easy as possible, Enduro has updated their BB30 tool to now include PF30, as well as introduced a smaller version for BB86/90/and 92.

ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (6)

ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (3)

The Enduro BRT-002 and BRT-003 are truly a one-tool-does-all kind of thing when it comes to bottom bracket maintenance. The BRT-002 works with BB30, PF30, BBright, BB386, and BSA30 and with the exception of BSA30 can remove and install the bearings and cups of all. Depending on the bottom bracket you will wither use the expanding collet or bearing drifts to press the bottom bracket or bearings into the frame.

The tool centers around a fine thread 8mm allen bolt for easy, controlled installation. The allen bolt also means you can use a wrench when working on a stubborn BB.

ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (4)

ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (5)

Removal of the bearings or BB is just as easy, with the design of the tool such that it won’t damage the frame. The BRT-003 is the same tool, just designed for the smaller BB86/90/92 bottom brackets. BRT-002s retail for $199.00, while the BRT-003 is $150.00, both tools are made for Enduro by Sonny’s Bicycle Tools in California.

ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (1) ABI Enduro PF bb bottom bracket tool (11)

Enduro has a few other projects in the works, but one that will hit the stores soon is their new packaging. Order one of their awesome XD-15 bottom brackets and instead of it shipping in a box that will just be thrown away, Enduro is utilizing their brown bag Koozys. Two koozys make up a box, and then can be used to keep your favorite beverage cold, or easily recycled.

endurobearings.com

 
Zach Overholt
5,729 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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27 Comments
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Mike
Mike
10 years ago

Legit enduroers use threaded BBs.

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Topmounter
Topmounter
10 years ago

Wouldn’t it be a whole lot easier if they just threaded the BB shell?

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jeremy
jeremy
10 years ago

A threaded rod with some washers, nuts, and a 2×4 piece of wood works just as well, and cost about $7.

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Phillyg
Phillyg
10 years ago

Proper tools don’t fix a broken system, press-fitting a non specific size bb in to a fit all sized shell will leave you with drag and overpressed berrings Everytime, yes Everytime.

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groghunter
groghunter
10 years ago

@Topmounter For us? Yes. For frame makers? Pressfit is cheaper to make,(deleted)

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Christian
Christian
10 years ago

Agreed with ALL of the above statements.

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KAW
KAW
10 years ago

I do returns for an online bike stuff retailer. I can’t say I’m thrilled about the whole koozy packaging idea. Looks like a gigantic PITA for retailer and consumer.

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Topmounter
Topmounter
10 years ago

@groghunter

Oh well, I guess I’ll just keep buying frames with threads.

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Jaxon
Jaxon
10 years ago

Hallelujah!! enduro coming out with something that is actually usable, all be it a sign of just how often you need to replace their bearings?! perhaps these guys should just suck it up and accept that bearing, bb and pulley manufacturing is not their game. Im sucked off with how many times I have shredded enduro ceramic on my trek bb90 project one. in the end my trek dealer provided me ceramic speed bearings. no issues as of yet im not holding my breath tho.

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Matt
Matt
10 years ago

@ Phillyg
How do you mean?

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bart
bart
10 years ago

I find it entertaining for those who are still having issues with Press fit BB’s. The weak link in carbon bikes specifically has always been where they have been bonded to alloy. That is where they break/crack/de-bond…. the less aluminum in a carbon bike the better. Proper facing(for alloy), retaining compounds(for carbon and alloy) and set up for bearing pre-load and and a press-fit bb will work just as good as a threaded BB but your frame should last longer. Pressfit isn’t going any where, bike manufacturers won’t switch back because it cost them too much money in warranty claims.

Nice tool Enduro! will look nice next to the bearing presses we already have

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krijsh
krijsh
5 years ago
Reply to  bart

they have now….only took 4 years

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Padrote
Padrote
10 years ago

I like that a $15 tool is all you need to get threaded bottom brackets in and out. and it takes two minutes.

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RUSTYDOGG
RUSTYDOGG
10 years ago

+1 Jaxon. Enduro bearings are crap. I suspect they are just Chinese. They lasted about one month in my Wheels Mfg BB30. Ditched them and went with some Japanese NSK bearings and no problem for almost a year.

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Jon Palmer
Jon Palmer
10 years ago

Seems like everyone here is really irritated by all the press fit stuff. That is totally fine. Let’s all keep our threaded BB’s and don’t worry about all the new stuff that is coming out. We can all be grouchy old mechanics together.

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Bob
Bob
10 years ago

Not sure why everyone is having issues with their Press fit BBs. In ferrous/or carbon frames just coat the cups in copper grease (does away with any creaking that might occur) and pre-load everything correctly. I had a basic SRAM BB PF-30 last in excess of 18 months including use through a relatively wet winter. If you run into issue invest in a Chris King press-fit BB and an injector tool. As Bart above states, you are likely to run into delamination issues if you use threads in carbon frame, for example.

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goridebikes
goridebikes
10 years ago

These comments contain so much fail.
Complaining about new standards, which represent a substantial upgrade in nearly every way, just shows that you’re quickly becoming a retro-grouch…
Try learning how to properly install, adjust, and care for these systems… It’s easy.

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gringo
gringo
10 years ago

I find it interesting that every one seems to think the big fail point on press fit is the installation. proper installation and maintenance is the easy part. Long term usability of the system is the critical point.

-Anybody feel like asking the frame makers to deliver frames with proper tolerances?
-Anybody feel like asking the frame makers to make something robust enough that the BB shell does not get hogged out after 18 months due to PF BB movement?

-Anybody ever ask a frame maker whats the real world benefit of PF BB’s ? I will bet 500 bucks that a robust threaded BB system is of more benefit to 90% of the riders than a ‘wider PF BB shell for greater lateral stiffness’ is.

I am not a Santa Cruz fanboy…actually I think their geometry is wank and their bikes pedal like shyte….but Joe Graney is right on this point.

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Dave
Dave
10 years ago

“Complaining about new standards, which represent a substantial upgrade in nearly every way…”

Please detail how these new standards are really an upgrade in any way.

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Darryl
Darryl
10 years ago

As a shop mechanic, all I can say is that I have never had or seen trouble with a pressfit carbon frame that was not incorrect installation.
Jeremy, a lump of wood does not have a relief for the bearing to sit in and you therefore press on the bearings themselves when you install.
Don’t do it.
I also see people trying to press both sides in at the same time, again, no.
Use one side as a flat guide to press the first in, then press the other.

If you see little angular lines on the shell from the previous installation, it’s a sure sign that it has been double pressed and been done so crooked.

Stop whinging about a system that works very well and learn to do it properly.

And for those dips that want to see threaded shells, ever seen BB’s cracked around the aluminium shell because of a stuck threaded BB?

Press fit directly into carbon works just fine as long as you don’t fruck it up.

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1Pro
1Pro
10 years ago

well said Darryl.

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Psi Squared
Psi Squared
10 years ago

I’ve yet to see it proven how press-fit BB’s are a ‘substantial upgrade’ over threaded BB’s.

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Out for a Ride
Out for a Ride
10 years ago

Press BB’s: Separating the men from the boys.

Clearly frame manufacturers are chasing the cheapest manufacturing method to trick customers into buying. None of them want better bikes. It’s why we have such crappy, flexy junk from major brands these days. I think we should go back to threaded 1″ headsets in steel frames because in those days all mountain bikes were lightweight, solid, and not shrouded in conspiracy.

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Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
10 years ago

It’s all about tolerances on the frames and components. Tolerances are +/- by a range. If the frame is at one end of the range; and the component is also at the far end of the same range (ex: BB), the result is non compatibility even though both are within tolerance. This is where loctite and other methods are used to compensate for loose or creaking BB’s. The opposite is it’s too tight and wears bearing too fast. Whose fault is it?… guess it would be the bike brand for using a system which has too high a tolerance or margin for error. However a good mechanic can get around about anything. Even threaded BB’s creak a lot when they work loose. We just better understand how to remedy the issue (tighten it up, use grease or green loctite pending the situation or brand). PFBB solves a lot of issues w/ carbon frames no bonding in alloy sleaves and adding weight or creating other tolerance issues. This is the price we pay for current BB systems and carbon frames. We need to embrace PFBB for now until they figure out a new system. All manufactures have tools for checking frames to make sure they are within tolerance… all shops should have these tools to check creaky frames. Deal with it man.

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Jeremy
Jeremy
10 years ago

@ Darryl – The “lump” of wood inst what you use to push the bearings in with. The wood is what sits on the opposite side of the frame when you’re pulling the bearing in….one side at a time. The proper sized washers will fit on the bearings just as well as the bushings from a park bbt -30 tool.

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Brian
Brian
10 years ago

As a mechanic, I am happy to see this tool and look forward to owning it. Do I like PF30? No, but I accept it. I have to, it’s my job. Sure, cheaper tools are around, but when it’s refined to do everything well, it saves me time in the shop. Properly installed, they work. I still pull BSA BB’s multiple times per week for creaking issues. It’s just going to happen no matter what standard.

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Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
10 years ago

Just get all o’skool BMX… concrete floor > frame > PF30 cup > rubber mallet… perfect fit every time!

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