Earlier today we made a post about What Size BMX Cranks Do I Need?, and this video Brant Moore put together can be directly related to this if you’re looking to change your BMX cranks to a new spindle size. Here’s a video where Brant shows you how to use a Bottom Bracket Bearing Press using the HHP-3 Bearing Press from Park Tools. Although this is pretty straightforward, we’re sure a lot of you who have never used one of these presses know how it works and might be curious. It’s the right way of installing a bottom bracket bearing without beating it to hell with a hammer or rubber mallet to get it into your frame. Now, the tool itself is a little spendy and probably out of a lot of peoples budget for the frequency of use the majority of you would actually use it. Either way, this is a good video showing how a bottom bracket bearing press works!
So, here’s a little BMX hack for you. Go to your local hardware store, grab a long bolt and a couple of large diameter washers that are going to cover the bearing and a nut or two for the bolt. Slide two of the large washers on the bolt, then slide your bearing and bottom bracket tube spacer on, slide it through your frame, slide on the other bearing, then the two large washers and bolt. Crank the bolts down and it should slide your bearings into place. The bearings will likely seat into place even more once you tighten your cranks down as well. It’s a cheaper version of what Brant talks about for those of you balling on a budget.
“This AMAZING tool saves time, frustration, and beats a hammer any day of the week!!
The Park Tool HHP-3 is a home bearing cup press that can also be used for pressing in BMX bottom bracket bearings. This is so much easier and faster than a hammer, not to mention safer for your bike!
Any life long bmx or bicycle rider who plans to build their own bikes can find use in one of these and it will literally last a lifetime!!” – Brant Moore
