Can we talk about the old school way of facing a bottom bracket shell?

Last week, a young mechanic at the shop in Boulder tried to install a press fit bottom bracket without facing the shell first. He said the frame was new and the shell looked clean. I had to stop him. Three years ago, I built up a custom steel frame from a well known builder. I skipped the facing step because the shell looked perfect. After 500 miles, the creak started. I pulled it all apart, faced it properly with the old Park BTS-1, and the creak was gone for good. That tool cost me $150 back then, but it saved a $3000 frame build. Smooth faces mean even pressure, period. It's not about how it looks, it's about how it seats. Does anyone still keep a facing tool in their main box, or am I just old?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_hayes7121d ago

That's a hard lesson to learn. My facing tool is still in the main box, right next to the headset tools. You're not old, you're right.

-1

beth27621d ago

Wait, you keep your facing tool in the main box?

amy_craig2821d ago

Nah, I keep mine in the bearing kit. Just makes sense to me. Different systems, I guess.