Splined/Toothed Cartridge BB Tools

[Valbrona]

Further to another thread, I am aware of the existence of two types of cartridge BB tool. Yer type one is the common or garden 20-tooth Shimano-pattern spline, as found on most square taper cartridge BBs, and sometimes called 'Shimano Compact'. But what about the splined tools that have splines to the ISIS standard? What do they fit? Thanks.

[Brucey]

if you mean the 8 prong external tool seen here

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-tool-selection

then the answer is 'not much'. I think the tool may also fit some older (loose ball stronglight?) 8-tooth BB lockrings, but I'm not sure.

cheers

[Sum]

Some older XTR BBs as well, as mentioned in the Parktool's website Brucey's linked to. The 8 pronged BB tool is also used to remove the spider lockring from Middleburn cranks.

[Valbrona]

No, I meant splined BB tools. Cyclus do two types - 20 tooth splined Shimano compact, and another one with ISIS splines.

[Brucey]

'isis splines'



'shimano splines'



I think these tools are slightly different to one another. I also think that if you get the right tool, it'll do either sort of BB.

I've had little to do with Isis, but IIRC my shimano tool worked fine.

cheers

[Valbrona]

Thanks Brucey - I haven't worked out how to post pictures yet. I think maybe some FSA cartridge BBs had ISIS splines.

[Sum]

I think some of the original Shimano BB tools wouldn't fit with some ISIS BBs as part of the axle got in the way:-
http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/189701-bbt-2-won-t-reach-isis-cup.html

This might explain why some are referred to as ISIS spline, although they also fit Shimano as Brucey says; "The BBT-22 is a shop quality tool for installing and removing Shimano® and ISIS Drive® splined 20-tooth bottom bracket cups.... The BBT-22 replaced the BBT-2, and will fit all bottom brackets serviced by the BBT-2."
http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-BBT-22

[Valbrona]

Oh, I got it now. It's not the design of the splines, more the length of them and their ability to reach into the cups. Not sure why then Cyclus doesn't delete the old Shimano-pattern of tool if the one they are calling ISIS will fit every splined BB there is out there. Enough to confuse me ...

[Sum]

I think the inner diameter of some Shimano BB tools were too small to fit over the hard stop on certain ISIS axles. These links give a better idea of the problem:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread77457.html
http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/256948-bottom-bracket-issues-fsa-token.html
http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/208333-fsa-isis-bottom-bracket-shimano-tool.html#post2730382

It looks like some people were resorting to machining their Shimano BB tool on a lathe to open up the inner diameter so that it would work with ISIS BBs.

I'm not sure why the Cyclus Shimano BB tool is still being sold. Maybe there's still some new-old-stock (NOS) hanging around, or maybe the Shimano BB tool is a chunkier, more hard-wearing tool for the die-hard square taper fan (I include myself in this!)

[Valbrona]

Thanks. I'll convince myself that the Shimano-pattern one I have is the best for square taper BBs, like more material = greater strength, or something.