Replace Sram GXP 121mm pressfit fat bike bottom Bracket & making a bb press tool

Well after a few years of use the bearing on the drive side had gone on Krampgrease. I stripped it all down and the non drive side bearing is like new and nothing wrong with the bb cups/sleeve & caps etc just the bearing.
I did not have a replacement bearing to hand but did have a couple of spare bb's so popped a complete new bb in. I have kept all the old parts and will have a look for some replacement aftermarket bearings.
I have the same bb fitted on the Beargrease and that is still ok and is a year older but does less miles than the Krampgrease.
You don't need many tools to swap the bb - 8mm allen key to remove non drive side crank arm. Then a Park tool BBT-90.3 Press fit removal tool but I have seen other people use sockets etc. Once out cleaned the bb shell and applied fresh grease, greased up the new bb and gently pressed it into the shell just so it was in place.
I then have the press cups from the BBT-90.3 set but problem is they don't fit onto my Xtools press so I had a plan.
Looking at the HHP-3 press I decided to make my own from the following items, which is enough to make four really with nuts/washers left over -
M12 threaded bar £2.58 for 1m = 1no x 250mm = 64p
M12 Penny Washer £0.81 for 10no = 2no 16p
M12 nuts £2.94 for 50no = 2no 11p

That makes the press 91p and I will probably reuse the left over materials in years to come.
It worked like a dream and great value for money! Once pressed in cleaned off the excess grease. Slide the wave washer and spacer on the drive side crank spindle, slide it through and fitted the non drive crank arm and nipped it up and she's ready to rock and role again.

Trying out my new allen keys - oh they are lovely. This is a 10mm, its a 8mm you need to remove crank

cranks and ready to be cleaned

old bb out and drive side bearing pressed out and cleaned

new bb getting pressed in

new bar not cut down yet, checking to see if it was going to work ok first

and it did

so I cut it down and grinded the cut end on my bench grinder

not quite the same quality as my X-Tools one

where can I get some of these from?

Fresh Goods Sunday - BBB Co2 holder (BBC-90)

The Co2 holders I have on my Beargrease & Krampgrease are both Genuine Innovation ones which hold up to 4no cartridges and are strong and robust. Unfortunately they are no longer made for Genuine Innovations. So I was on the look out for a different one for the Beast of East. I did not need to carry four canisters, just two so the BBB one looked just the job.
A quick google and several online site sell them such as Sigma Sport, £4.45, rrp £4.95 but I knew Start Cycles had a large/good display of BBB items and as we were at Newcastle I called in past and they had several in stock.
There are a lot thinner and more flexible which was a good thing as I had to bend the chainset side out a little so the canister could clear the front mech bracket on the frame. The canisters don't seem to get such a good tight hold as the Genuine Innovations one but they still nipped up. I will check to see if they rattle loose after a couple of shake down rides.
I have not mounted it under my water cage as I mount my mini pump there. You could cut the other side off and just have the one cartridge if required and may be a spare in your seat pack.
It has a nice matt black finish with a small white BBB logo on the front.

Manufacturers blurb -
The Bottle Cage Co2 Bracket from BBB can be mounted in place of your bottle cage or underneath it. The bracket can mount 2 x threaded Co2 cartridges, freeing up valuable space.
BBB CO2 Hold 2 x CO2 Cartridges Bracket / Holder
BBB Model Number: BBC-90
6061 T6 aluminum bracket with mounts for two CO2 cartridges.
Can be mounted under the bottle cage.
Cartridges are stored both safely and within reach.
Weight: 11g

6061 T6 aluminium bracket

Mounting bolts not included

 

 

Very cold road ride upto the Toon - Bike Hub Cafe

The local railways lines are a right mess with half melted snow which has turned to sheet polished ice, the county's country back lanes are just as bad with a heavy overnight frost and temperatures not rising above freezing. So we decided on a road ride through to the Toon for a cuppa and bait at the Bike Hub Café on the Newcastle side of the quayside then a steady ride back the same way. We set off with temperatures dropping to -6.2 degrees on the way through coming out of Chester Le Street but by the time we got to Birtley the sun was trying to burn through. We stopped off at the Angel of the North for some snaps then through Low Fell, Gateshead then down to the Baltic and over the bridge and onto the Newcastle side. The Sunday market was on but we decided to ride down the tyne to the Bike Hub Café for refreshments instead. Angus had a bacon sandwich which was massive - £3.50 and I had a fruit scone. The scone did not look to special but I can tell you it was the tastiest scone I have had for along time washed down by some hot chocolate.
It was then a simple case of heading back, I was one cold headwind heading back to the bridge, we thought the wind might have gone by the time we turned and headed for Low Fell again but it was a steady gentle headwind nearly all the way back home. 30 miles covered and it was time for a hot bath, hot drink & some hot food. Wash / dry the bikes and sort the clothes pile out.
Below are a few photos from the ride, enjoy and more soon -

Chilly / icy local road ride on the Bowman Pilgrims

What a depressing two weeks weather we have had. Never seen the sun, its either been lashing down for days/nights on end, gale force winds, dark and cold or a combination of all of them. Enough of this the sun actually came out today for of all of about an hour but still a cold wind when out and about around the county.
I had to drag my big fat lazy arse out on the bike today and by the time I got out the sun had gone but it was not raining and only a steady breeze and it wasn't dark. I stopped local and mainly to salted roads as there was loads of ice on the country back lanes. When I finally reached Tow Law with a headwind all the way up the temperature was reading -0.7 degrees on the Garmin so didn't hang around long. Another thing I hate about the winter is it takes so long to get all your kit on before you can even swing your leg your the saddle but its worth it when you get out into the hills. Todays list of cycling gear was - starting from the top down to the bottom
helmet
winter cap
glasses
softshell jacket
merino base layer
hr monitor strap
bib shorts
bib winter tights
winter socks
road shoes
over shoes
and pertex in my back pocket just in case
then when your finished peel all the layers off and chuck in the washer and wash down the bike so the salt dosent eat it.

 

There was also a parcel landed last week from Westys with a 27.5+" Rocket Ron in - summer bashing tyre.