New bottom bracket (the bearing and shaft for the pedals) fitted. A job needing done for a while. One of the sealed variety, and hopefully better than the one that was in... which has needed replacing for a while. Removing one of the threaded ends wasn't easy. Going away and coming back for another go. No, it wasn't for shifting. Grrr. More leverage required. Ha! A bit excessive, but if that four foot (~1200mm) long old Peugeot roofbar fits over the socket lever, it might do the trick. It did. And made it soooo easy too. Good job it didn't strip the thread. Clean everything up, and lubricate it a plenty with fresh grease. Fit the new one.

I remember when these came out, and it was thought, or claimed, they'd last a lifetime. Yeah, right. They wear out, as I've replaced quite a few now... though to be fair, I do quite a lot of miles, in all seasons, and there's lots of slow hills to give them a hard grinding time too. They are much easier to deal with than the old cups and cones type bearings. No, or next to no maintenance. Replace when worn out, as was done today.


(Reminder to self, the one fitted was a: Shimano BB-UN55 bottom bracket, for a 68mm bracket, and with a 107mm long shaft, with tapered ends.)