Bike Tools Etc. still sells the superb VAR tool:
Nothing fragile about that one. I have a VAR and also the excellent Hozan VAR clone. Also available form Bike Tools Etc.:
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
"C. Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com> wrote: Ray wrote:
own banana-brain carries the cyclus bb removal tool in his ebay store:
item #7186874476
his description warns against using it on stubborn or frozen fixed cups, as the lever may bend.
*****
That tool is too fragile for the task of removing frozen cups. For lighter duty it's probably ok. Handy for removing or installing newer, cleaner parts. I'm tempted myself.
The campagnolo tool is the best tool for the job, but since those are hard to come by now, the tool I have, or similar, is the best bet. My tool is similar, I believe, to the venerable Var tool, but I haven't seen one of those in awhile. I forget exactly what it looks like.
In any case, the tool I have is a heavy-duty, shop-quality tool made by United Bicycle Tool company. I found it on ebay by running an automated search for *bottom bracket tool* or *bb tool.* It's a lovely tool, and the only flaw with it is that it can become too tightly bound to the cup being removed. As I mentioned, a good bench-vise and a big adjustable wrench can solve that problem. This tool can also be used in a bench vise, and that's probably what it was intended for in the first place. I use it free-style, with the bike in a clamp-type work-stand, supporting the rear triangle with one hand, while using a very long wrench in the other hand.
One could conceivably bend a frame tube using such a tool in this fashion, but with care, it seems to work ok this way.
Charles Andrews SoCal
that's the puzzle of what has happened to the automobile world: feeling safe has become more important than actually being safe.
--Malcolm Gladwell