Howdy, I am building my skills and tools as a home mechanic. What bearing press is best on value and percision? Isnt it just a threaded rod? Could I get there with nuts, sockets, and washers? I am interested in BBs on AL and carbon fames, wheel bearings on higher end hubs and maybe a full suspension linkage in the future. Can the same tool be used on wheels and BBs?
Thanks everyone!
I’m no Dave Rome.
Having recently needed to change several BBs and wheel bearings, I’ve used a company based in Scotland called bearing pro tools. They will sell individual pieces so you don’t have to fork out for an entire set, are helpful with advice and are cost competitive as far as I can tell.
Beware of the Brexit tax however, depending on where you are based.
Best is quite subjective, I’d say. You can spend a little or a lot on these tools.
I started out using some of the tools @N_O_Conn mentioned above but as my business grew and I needed more robust tools, I purchased some dedicated bearing presses. I say presses as I do feel that while a hub bearing press can press in bottom brackets, I’ve found a dedicated (heavier duty) bottom bracket press preferable as I find they press the cups is straighter much easier.
I’m using the BSC Tools pro bottom bracket press
Pro Pressfit Bottom Bracket Installer Set | Bicycle Service Centre
and the Wheels Manufacturing hub bearing press and drifts
wheels manufacturing Hub Bearing Press Essential Kit bp0005
wheels manufacturing Bearing Drift Set Support Kit Drift and over axle set for less common sized thru axle and frame bearings. bp0004 - like this one but with less drifts, I’ve added some 3d printed drifts to fill some gaps in my set
I am out of the US.
These are great reccomendations! You can 3d print drifts? Is there a design or material that works best to print in?
yes, the ones I’ve printed are mostly over axle drifts but the ones I printed for 18307 bearings are holding up fine after a few uses.
I created the file on Tinkercad and my engineer daughter did the rest. I wanted 100% fill but she said that was overkill. No clue on the material used, it came with the 3d Printer a friend gifted me.
I am very happy with my alt alt set.
After 3d printing some larger centering pucks, I was able to press in a BB just fine with it.
Hey Kyle,
Bearing tools can quickly get quite complicated depending on the specific task and product. I wrote a three-part series on the topic previously, which is worth checking out and should give you the answers you seek plus plenty of options to look into.
My mate bought the Aliexpress press kit you mention and he’s lent it to me for my recent hub bearing job. It really is ridiculously good quality, with a good range of sizes. It sure solved my needs at the time, if not my concerns about these huge cheap global marketplaces. 
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I should have scrolled back further! Thank you for your help Dave, I love the podcast!
