tNuvolari

I have an 80's Torpado that I've successfully updated to Campy 10 speed shifting and I love it. However, I have a couple of issues with the crankset. So I'm thinking of upgrading to a Campy carbon crankset with the Ultra Torque BB. From what I've read, Ultra Torque is easier than Power Torque to install and maintain just because no special tools are needed.
My question is when upgrading an older bike to Ultra Torque, what do I need to complete the installation?

From my reading about these BB's, it seems that if bought new, the crankset comes with the bearings and washers. Then I just need to buy the bearing cups depending on which threads my bike has. Is that it? And no special tools needed to install, correct?

Of course, I still have to remove my old BB and I know that requires BB spanner wrenches. Do I need those wrenches or will a pipe wrench or channel lock pliers work also?

I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm up against before I dive in. I do have a crank removal wrench and I believe my crank has self extracting bolts also so I think I have that covered.

My bike has Italian threading if that matters for any of my questions or not.

Anything else I need to know?

Many thanks in advance.

Germany_chris

Just buy the bearings you need from where ever.

The square taper BB tools aren't expensive and they're handy to have around, just get them.

nlerner

Ditto: Just need external cups and the install tool:

https://planetcyclery.com/campagnolo...8aApBJEALw_wcB

https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-t...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Road Fan

First, neither Power Torque nor Ultra Torque use square taper bottom brackets, so that is not a concern. The square types are generically "three piece," having left arm, center BB system, and right arm. You might need a tool to pull the crank arm off of the BB and another to loosen the old BB and remove it.

Also look on the Campy website to find the installation instructions for the model you're buying, unless you're buying new-in-sealed-box.

Second, it's really hard to remove the bearings from the long PT shaft or from either of the UT shafts. Most users do not pull off the bearings when they upgrade. And the bearing puller is a formidable tool, if you're not used to bearing pullers. I've seen the puller and luckily don't need it. I have not seen the installer.

I would agree with nlerner about just buying the correct cups and a cup driver tool if you don't already have it. The cups don't usually come with bearings in them. But when you muy your new chainset, see if the cups come with it.

tNuvolari

Thanks for the links. I've been looking at planet cyclery items on Ebay but didn't know they had a site outside of Ebay. And probikekit seems to have lower prices than most other shops.

Ha, have you seen Campy instructions? Vague at best or at least incomplete. I love their products but there is so much left out of their official instructions and catalogs. Thank God for the internet! I was reading the instructions for Ultra Torque installation and they never mention the tightening torque of the bearing cups. In fact, in the installation video the technician simply hand tightens them. Now maybe that's all that is needed but if so, they should make a point to say, "Hand tighten." And IIRC they never address the bearing removal from the crank.

As far as that actual bearing removal and installation, I am guessing those bearings will last for years and when a replacement is needed, I think the simplest solution is to remove the crank and go to the LBS, mostly for the removal of the old bearings. To install I'm thinking a piece of PVC pipe to tap the new bearing on would be fine.

Oh, I've noticed 11 speed specific bearing cups as well as the 10 speed original version. Are they different? It does say 11s only on the cups but in the Campy world, who knows for sure? If the cups are different, I would think the bearings would be also but I think there is only one set of Ultra Torque bearings in Campy's offerings.

Road Fan

You don’t seem to really want support, rather just to rant about Campy. I think your main question is related to special tools, at least that’s the one I’m answering. If you don’t care about reusing the parts you remove, the pipe wrench or channel pliers will do the removal. But it’s not a Jeep. If you want to reuse some of those parts in the future you should consider a more focused tool. You also don’t want one of those big tools to slip and mess up your nice Tornado. But it’s your bike.

Spaghetti Legs 

I just installed an Athena 11 speed UT crank (which I really like) and the instructions said to hand tighten the cups - English thread - but I didn’t believe them and cinched them down good and tight with a wrench. Otherwise you’ll need a hex wrench for the bolt on the axle.

jiangshi

Campagnolo instructions clearly state 35Nm or 310 in. lbs as the proper torque setting for UT cups.

https://www.campagnolo.com/media/fil...ev02_06_16.pdf

Ronsonic 

The UT is a bit picky about BB shell width since it has essentially no range of adjustment for width. Just a wavy washer to take up the slack.

Always a good idea to have these things faced to spec, anyway.

RobbieTunes

+1
70mm seems to vary.

I picked up 3 Centaur compact UT cranks at planetbike a while back, with bearings, cheap so I bought the bearing puller.

tNuvolari

Wow, thanks so much for that link, I swear I've searched for adequate instructions about these BB's but didn't see this until now. I apologize to Campy for assuming they hadn't provided much info but after so many times of being left out without clear instructions, my confidence in their info is lacking. However, this pdf is perfect!

Ha, I knew I wasn't crazy...well, reasonably certain....

I suppose English thread is more forgiving than Italian so maybe that's the reason.

Ah, thanks for that info too as I was wondering about variances and also what the wavy washer was for exactly.

Uh, not sure about your anger issues but the question is based on how tight the square taper BB cups are and how difficult they are to remove because I have no previous experience, I have no idea whether they come off easily or if they are difficult to remove without the proper tool. As anyone, I hate to buy a $20-30 tool that'll I'll use once to remove something I may never use again. Of course, I do understand your sentiment as many people go about things with a hammer and 2 screw drivers; I am not one of those people. I have no interest in ruining my old BB even if I don't need it anymore. I know the correct answer about using the proper tool; I just wanted to get some experience from others.

And as for ranting, you'll know when I'm truly ranting!

Still, I appreciate all and every bit of help contained in this thread so thank you to all!