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Bottom bracket tool

A bottom bracket tool removes and fits threaded bottom brackets. Match it to your cups by notch count and size; Park Tool's BBT-69.4 lists at $29.95 at REI.

Last edited Nov 8, 2026 by Pedalwise team Edit History Add a subpage

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A bottom bracket tool fits the notches or splines on a threaded bottom bracket so you can remove, tighten or replace it. There are many sizes, so you have to match the tool to your bottom bracket.

What it's used for

  • Tightening or replacing a threaded bottom bracket on a hub motor e-bike or a regular bike. See check cranks and the bottom bracket. Rad's RadWagon 5 manual lists a Park Tool BBT-22 for its bottom bracket cups, at 60 Nm (Rad RadWagon 5 manual).
  • Some e-bike motor lockrings. Park Tool notes its BBT-49.3 fits the Shimano STEPS motor lockring (Park Tool), and it sells separate lockring tools for Bosch and Shimano STEPS motors (Park Tool e-bike tools). Motor lockring work is best left to a shop.

What to look for

  • Count the notches or splines and measure. Park Tool's method is to count notches or splines, then measure the outside and notch to notch diameter with a caliper, to within about 1 mm (Park Tool).
  • External cups. For example, Park Tool says 16 notch cups of 44 to 45 mm outside diameter take the BBT-69.4 and similar tools (Park Tool).
  • Cartridge bottom brackets. Park Tool says Shimano square spindle, Octalink and SRAM cartridges use its 20 spline BBT-22 or BBT-32 (Park Tool). The BBT-22 has a 3/8 inch drive and is not made for impact drivers (Park Tool BBT-22).
  • Press-fit has no threads. Park Tool says if there are no tool fittings, the bottom bracket is likely press-fit, which uses different tools (Park Tool).
  • Mid-drive motors have no separate bottom bracket for you to service. Bosch says not to open the drive unit (Bosch).

Best price we found

Prices change often, and a local shop may match them.

Where to buy

  1. The tool maker's dealers, found from pages such as Park Tool.
  2. A large bike retailer, as above.
  3. A local shop, through find a shop, which can also do the job.

Guides that use it

Sources

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Guides that use this

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