Replacing or servicing bottom brackets with external cadence sensors

This article will cover the steps needed to replace or service your bottom bracket. A bottom bracket is a device with multiple sets of bearings that allow the bike's crank arms to spin at a smooth and equal rate, thus helping propel the bike. Over time, the bearings start to wear down which causes creaks, uneven pedaling, and other symptoms. When not replacing, it's also good practice to occasionally remove the bottom bracket, clean out the shell and bottom bracket itself, then reinstall with fresh grease. This is necessary because moisture and dirt will work their way into the frame over time. Unlike other models in the Ride1Up lineup, the below bikes have standard, sealed cartridge bottom brackets that you would find at a bike shop. Their cadence sensors are external and mounted onto the left side of the spindle.

• Core-5
• Turris
• Cafe Cruiser
• 700 Series
• LMT'D (cadence sensor version)
• Rift
• Portola

Tools Needed

• Pedal wrench (or a 15mm wrench thin enough not to damage the pedal/crank)
  • Park Tool PW-3
  • OR
  • BikeHand Pedal Wrench
• 8mm Allen wrench to remove crank bolts
• Crank puller
  • Park Tool CWP-7
  • OR
  • Park Tool CCP-22
• Bottom bracket tool
  • Park Tool BBT-32
  • OR
  • BikeHand YC-26BB
• Grease
  • Park Tool PolyLube 1000
  • OR
  • White Lightning Crystal Grease

Steps

Remove pedals, left crank arm, right crankarm/chainring, and cadence sensor.

Your right pedal (drive side) is right-hand threaded, meaning it loosens by turning counterclockwise. Your left pedal is left hand threaded, meaning it loosens by turning clockwise.

Crank bolts are 8mm and loosen by turning counterclockwise.

Very carefully thread the crank puller into the crank arm by hand until you meet resistance (it doesn't matter if you start with the left side or right side crank). A wrench can then be used to turn it another 1/8 turn, but major pressure is unnecessary. Note: if you meet resistance right away and attempt to use a wrench to finish the job, you'll likely strip the threads. Repeat for the other side.

Pro tip: after removing the chainring, secure the chain to the chain stay using a paper towel and zip tie so that it doesn't flounder around/scratch your bike frame

Remove the cadence sensor from the left spindle by pulling it straight out and away from the bottom bracket. It secures to the splines by friction, so take care while pulling it off; you'll feel some resistance. Also take care to not lose the rubber o-ring that lives inside the groove of the unit.

Remove the left (non-drive side) bottom bracket cup first. This side is right hand threaded, so loosen counterclockwise. The right (drive side) is fastened to the bottom bracket itself and is left hand threaded, so loosen it clockwise. 

Clean out dirt and debris. Note: during frame manufacturing, it's common for remnants of shredded metal to live here so be careful if inserting fingers.

Reinstallation

Whether you've cleaned your existing bottom bracket or are replacing it with a new unit, below are the steps needed to get this done.