[Quanz56]

So I'm taking my old bike apart so I can kind of learn how things work and I think I'm gonna replace some parts so I have a spare bike to keep at my girlfriend's house.

Anyway, I have some road-blocks. How do I get the cranks and bottom bracket and all that stuff off/out? And, how do I unlink the chain so it's not a cmplete loop anymore?

 

[gonefirefightin]

not knowing the rig you have and judging by your question I would have to say...........go for it. tear it down and learn what you can. if it gets too deep for you......take it to a shop.

otherwise not enough info for a good enough answer.

 

[DownCycles_Stef]

Well actually that's plenty of info for an answer. If you cant get a part of your bike apart with either a screwdriver or allen wrench, then you'll need a special tool. Sometimes you can rig something but often that will result in a broken, but removed, part.

 

[Quanz56]

Yea I did some research and found out that there are three main types of bottom brackets that all require a special tool for removal. I guessign my best bet would be to take it to my LBS and ask them to take it all apart for me?

 

[DownCycles_Stef]

Well not necessarily, if you are looking to get into maintaining your bike yourself, it may be worth your while to just buy the tool. A crank arm extractor is something I think everyone should have. That should run you $15 for the tool (get the square taper one) and $5 for the adapter, or just go for the $20 Pedro's tool that will do both square taper and splined.

From there you'll just need the BB tool. And whether it's the 8-Notch, ISIS or External Bearing tool, they are all available for less than $20. And considering that you'll probably pay the LBS $20-30 to remove and re-install the cranks and bb, I'd just buy the tool. Especially since it appears that you're trying to learn how to service your bike yourself.

 

[Quanz56]

good point.

 

[Wumpus]

You should buy a chain tool also. Then next time you put your chain back together get some SRAM powerlinks(they work for shimano chains also). Do not press an old pin back into the chain -- SRAM=powerlink : Shimano -- powerlink or special pin.*





*The special pin is a one shot deal. Do NOT press it back out. Break the chain in a new spot.