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Park BBT-9 |
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Written by Wally Wallace
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Tuesday, 01 August 2006 |
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Park Tool BBT-9 External BB Tool:
With the creation of new bicycle parts comes the need for new tools. Today inside Bikeman's toolbox we found a tool that has gone from occasional to daily use in the mater of 6 months. Over the past 3-years Integrated cranks and external bottom bracket cups have become the norm on highend bicycles. If you aren't using an integrated crank yet chances are one will be in your quiver soon and so will be the BBT-9.
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In an industry where standardization often takes a backseat to a companies need to put their own twist on a product (mmm.. Shimano) the external bottom bracket cup seems to have escaped the Evil Empires clutches. That is right external bottom bracket cups are to this point standardized. Shimano Hollowtech II, FSA MegaEXO, TruVativ Giga Pipe, and Race Face X-Drive bottom brackets all use the same 16-notch outer cup surface. So with that standardization comes one tool that will cover the bases, the Park BBT-9.
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The BBT-9 is a professional quality tool designed to take the everyday use and abuse a shop mechanic can dish out. Bikeman's BBT-9 has been in his box for a few years now with no noticable wear. Taking into consideration the low tourque requirements of bottom bracket cups and the fact that the material the cups are made of is much softer than the tool.... this guy should last forever. Or atleast untill they come up with a new bottom bracket design. Bikeman also likes the fact that the BBT-9 complete wraps around the cup. Other companies make similar tools that are open-ended. While this does allow for tightening the cups without removing the crank arms, (the only real draw back of the BBT-9), it also provides less grip on the cup and in a sticky situation this can come back to haunt you.
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The BBT-9 is a multifunctional tool with one end used to engage the 16-notch cups, while the other end engages the 8 internal splines of the Shimano Hollowtech II crank arm adjustment cap. Currently Shimano is the only company using this adjustment system so the little roller on the BBT-9 can also be used as a back scratcher, if you aren't running the Shimano system.
A tool Bikeman can't go without. Professional quality that is bound to outlast the current bottom braket technology.
Bikeman Rated:
 | Buy / Details | Park Tool BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool: The new BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool is designed to remove and install Shimano® Hollowtech II bottom brackets. Laser cut for a precise fit, one end of the BBT-9 securely engages the 16 notches of the bottom bracket cups, while the other end engages the 8 internal splines of the crank arm adjustment cap.... | |
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