Bottom Bracket Tool Selection: Threaded and Thread-Together

Preliminary Info

To determine the correct tool, begin by inspecting the bottom bracket. In some cases it will be necessary to remove the crank in order to measure and determine the tool choices.

If there are no tool fittings visible it is likely a press fit bottom bracket. See Bottom Bracket Tool Selection: Press Fit.

If the bottom bracket is installed and removed using threads, there will be tool fittings visible. This is also the case for frames using press fit shells and a “thread-together” bottom bracket, also known as a “thread-thru”. For purposes of tool selection, a thread-together bottom bracket is treated the same as a threaded bottom bracket.

Tool fittings can be notches or indentations on the outer perimeter, splines on the inside perimeter, or pin holes on the face. Count the number of tool fittings on the cup.

Next, use a caliper to measure the diameter or width of the tool fittings. For external notches, first measure the outer diameter of the bottom bracket cup or adapter as seen below. This is the major diameter of the tool fitting. Next, measure from the inside of one notch to the inside of the notch directly opposite. This is the minor diameter of the tool fitting.

Although the tools fit at the inside portion of the external splines, measuring the outside will be enough to differentiate the standard.

For tool fittings on the inside perimeter, measure to where the tool would fit as seen in the image below.

It can be difficult to get exact measurements. For most models, getting within a millimeter will be good enough to get the correct tool.

Tool Finder Table

Use the table below to find the best match, and click the name of the tool to see an example of the tool fitting as well as a list of popular brands that feature this fitting. There are also some proprietary styles not listed here.

Flats/Pin Holes/Splines

Tool Fitting	Dimension	Tool
2 flats	16 mm width	HCW-11
2 flats	36 mm width	HCW-4
4/6/8 pin holes	3 mm hole	SPA-1
12 internal splines	23 mm ID	BBT-5/FR-11
20 internal splines	31.5 mm ID	BBT-22, BBT-32

External Notches

Tool Fitting	Major Diameter	Minor Diameter	Tool
3/4/6/8 external notches	44–46 mm OD	~40 mm OD	HCW-5
6 external notches	43–44 mm OD	38 mm OD	BBT-4
8 external notches	40–45 mm OD	38mm OD	BBT-18, BBT-118
12 external notches	45–47 mm OD	44 mm OD	BBT-79.3, BBT-179
12 external notches	48–50 mm OD	46.3 mm OD	BBT-35-12, BBT-135-12
12 external notches	50–53 mm OD	48.2 mm OD	BBT-47-12, BBT-147-12
16 external notches	39–40 mm OD	37.6 mm OD	BBT-49.3, BBT-29
16 external notches	41–42 mm OD	39 mm OD	BBT-59.3
16 external notches	44–45 mm OD	42.7 mm OD	BBT-69.4, BBT-169, BBT-19.2, BBT-9
16 external notches	48–50 mm OD	~46.1 mm OD	BBT-27.3, BBT-29
16 external notches	52–54 mm OD	48.8 mm OD	BBT-47-16
24 external notches	45–47 mm OD	44 mm OD	BBT-79.3, BBT-179
36 external notches	51–53 mm OD	50.7 mm OD	BBT-35-36

Tool Fittings

2 Flats, 16 mm Width

Examples include adjustable bottom bracket non-drive-side cups using two wrench flats at 16 mm.

Use the Park Tool HCW-11

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2 Flats, 36 mm Width

Examples include many adjustable ball bearing bottom brackets using a drive side (right side) cup with two wrench flats spaced at 36mm.

Use the Park Tool HCW-4

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4/6/8 Pin Holes

Examples include many adjustable ball bearing bottom brackets using a non-drive (left side) cup with 4, 6, or 8 pin holes.

Use the Park Tool SPA-1

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3/4/6/8 External Notches, 44–46 mm OD

Examples include adjustable cup-and-cone bottom brackets with left side outer lockring.

Use the Park Tool HCW-5

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6 External Notches, 43 mm OD

Examples include Campagnolo® cartridge bottom bracket using six radiused tool fittings.

Use Park Tool BBT-4

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8 External Notches, 40–45 mm OD

Examples include Truvativ® Giga Pipe™, Bontrager® and others.

Use Park Tool BBT-18 or BBT-118

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12 Internal Splines, 23 mm ID

Examples include Campagnolo® Centaur®, Chorus®, and Record® Track, as well as Miche® square spindle models. The tool fitting is the same as the Campagnolo® cassette lockring tool.

Use Park Tool BBT-5/FR-11

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12 External Notches, 45–47 mm OD

Examples include Race Face® Cinch®, Rotor® 30, and others.

Use Park Tool BBT-79.3 or BBT-179

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12 External Notches, 48–50 mm OD

Examples include Praxis Works® M30 bottom bracket cup.

Use the Park Tool BBT-35-12 or BBT-135-12
 

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12 External Notches, 50–53 mm OD

Examples include Chris King® ThreadFit™, Rotor®, and others.

Use Park Tool BBT-47-12 or BBT-147-12
 

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16 External Notches, 39–40 mm OD

Examples include Shimano® XTR® BB91/3/4, Dura-Ace® R9100, and Shimano® STEPS® Hollowtech® II e-bike motor lockring.

Use Park Tool BBT-49.3 or BBT-29

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16 External Notches, 41–42 mm OD

Examples include Shimano® XT® MT800, Ultegra® BBR60/72, and others.

Use Park Tool BBT-59.3

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16 External Notches, 44–45 mm OD

Example include Shimano® Hollowtech® II, SRAM® GXP®, Chris King® ThreadFit™ 24, Campagnolo®, Race Face®, Praxis Works®, and more.

Use Park Tool BBT-69.4, BBT-169, BBT-19.2, or BBT-9

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16 External Notches, 48–50 mm OD

Examples include FSA® MegaEvo® and Wheels Mfg™.

Use Park Tool BBT-27.3 or BBT-29

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16 External Notches, 52–54 mm OD

Examples include Enduro®, SRAM®, and CeramicSpeed®.

Use Park Tool BBT-47-16

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20 Internal Splines, 31.5mm ID

Examples include cartridge bottom brackets from Shimano® square spindle type, Shimano® Octalink®, SRAM®, Sunlite®, FSA®, Suntour®, and others.

Use Park Tool BBT-22 or BBT-32

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24 External Notches, 45–47 mm OD

Examples include the SRAM® DUB® bottom bracket cup.

Use the BBT-79.3 or BBT-179

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36 External Notches, 51–53 mm OD

Examples include Praxis Works® M35. The 36-notch cup pattern fits the 18-notch pattern of the BBT-35-36.

Use Park Tool BBT-35-36