Published

Started by the Pedalwise team from official manuals, support pages and repair videos

Bottom bracket tool · Nov 8, 2026, 10:57 PM by Pedalwise team · reviewed Nov 8, 2026, 10:57 PM by Pedalwise team

First version

42 lines added, 0 removed

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](/wiki/crank-and-bottom-bracket-basics). Rad's RadWagon 5 manual lists a Park Tool BBT-22 for its bottom bracket cups, at 60 Nm ([Rad RadWagon 5 manual](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0799/9645/files/om_702-00023_radwagon5_usa_en_V4.pdf)).

- Some e-bike motor lockrings. Park Tool notes its BBT-49.3 fits the Shimano STEPS motor lockring ([Park Tool](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)), and it sells separate lockring tools for Bosch and Shimano STEPS motors ([Park Tool e-bike tools](https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/e-bike)). 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](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)).

- **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](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)).

- **Cartridge bottom brackets.** Park Tool says Shimano square spindle, Octalink and SRAM cartridges use its 20 spline BBT-22 or BBT-32 ([Park Tool](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)). The BBT-22 has a 3/8 inch drive and is not made for impact drivers ([Park Tool BBT-22](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/bottom-bracket-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](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)).

- **Mid-drive motors** have no separate bottom bracket for you to service. Bosch says not to open the drive unit ([Bosch](https://www.bosch-ebike.com/fileadmin/EBC/Service/Downloads/Bedienungsanleitungen/MY2024/BES2/BDU3x/Bosch-eBike-Manual-DriveUnit_BDU3xx_MY24_US_oReg_v1.pdf)).

## Best price we found

- [Park Tool BBT-69.4 Bottom Bracket Tool at REI](https://www.rei.com/product/151628/park-tool-bbt-694-bottom-bracket-tool): $29.95, checked Nov 9, 2026 (blue shown as sold out)

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](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-22).

2. A large bike retailer, as above.

3. A local shop, through [find a shop](/find), which can also do the job.

## Guides that use it

- [Check cranks and the bottom bracket](/wiki/crank-and-bottom-bracket-basics)

- [Crank puller](/wiki/crank-puller)

- [Torque wrench](/wiki/torque-wrench)

## Sources

- [Park Tool, parktool.com](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection-threaded-and-thread-together)

- [Park Tool BBT-22, parktool.com](https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-22)

- [Park Tool BBT-69.4 Bottom Bracket Tool at REI, rei.com](https://www.rei.com/product/151628/park-tool-bbt-694-bottom-bracket-tool)

- [Park Tool e-bike tools, parktool.com](https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/e-bike)

- [Rad RadWagon 5 manual, cdn.shopify.com](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0799/9645/files/om_702-00023_radwagon5_usa_en_V4.pdf)

- [Bosch, bosch-ebike.com](https://www.bosch-ebike.com/fileadmin/EBC/Service/Downloads/Bedienungsanleitungen/MY2024/BES2/BDU3x/Bosch-eBike-Manual-DriveUnit_BDU3xx_MY24_US_oReg_v1.pdf)

Stuck after these checks? [Find a shop near you](/find), or if you're in Austin, [book a Pedalwise tech](/book).

This version

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.

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

Park Tool BBT-69.4 Bottom Bracket Tool at REI: $29.95, checked Nov 9, 2026 (blue shown as sold out)

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

Where to buy

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

Guides that use it

Sources

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you, or if you're in Austin, book a Pedalwise tech.

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