Removing a FSA Omega Compact MegaExo crank/BB (and a seatpost)

[AndyRM]

I have been stripping my written off bike so that I can hang the frame on the wall as a) it's a frame I have loved and ridden since I first started out on my road biking adventures and b) it's a reminder that I'm a lucky chap.

There are just two pieces I need to remove. The first is a carbon seatpost which is stuck into the aluminium frame. I plan to remove this with lubricant, brute strength and ignorance. Though if anyone has any better ideas/tips, I'm all ears.

The more problematic piece I need to get off is the drive side crank and (what I think are called) cups on the bottom bracket. I took the left crank off no bother, and have now been left with the right side which is attached to the axle. When I try to slide the piece through the BB it sticks about an inch from the end, where the machining seems to be for the opposing crank.

Also still attached are the 'cups' on each side. I have been using the correct tool in my efforts to loosen them, and going against the 'tighten' indication which I thought would be the right idea. No joy as yet, so any advice would be much appreciated.

This is my first attempt at fully stripping down a bike and I've enjoyed the experience. I've learned a lot in the process and any advice to get me over these final two hurdles will be much appreciated.

 

[AndyRM]

Should have said - I tried to get the manual off the FSA website, but the link didn't work.

 

[accountantpete]

You should be able to gently knock the axle through (use a piece of wood as contact and take a hammer gently to the wood).

The BB Cups can be a bit reluctant. I hold the frame and tool onto the cup with one hand and then get a big hammer and six or so very hard blows to the tool should loosen it. An easier way is to pop the frame in a vice and get a long tube over the tool for added leverage.

 

[gbb]

The crank axle may require a hit from a mallet on the non drive side to drive it out, mine did. The cups, I used a HT2 spanner which is a tight fit which then required a smack on the handle part wih a mallet to loosen the cups, they were freekin tight. I think a socket type tool you can use with a ratchet or socket bar is a better proposition.
The seat post, had that on my BIanchi, brute force, loads of soaking in WD40, a vice and lots of swearing, it sounded like aachone gun when it started giving. Very hard if you're unlucky.

 

[gbb]

The crank axle may require a hit from a mallet on the non drive side to drive it out, mine did. The cups, I used a HT2 spanner which is a tight fit which then required a smack on the handle part wih a mallet to loosen the cups, they were freekin tight. I think a socket type tool you can use with a ratchet or socket bar is a better proposition.
The seat post, had that on my BIanchi, brute force, loads of soaking in WD40, a vice and lots of swearing, it sounded like aachone gun when it started giving. Very hard if you're unlucky.

 

[AndyRM]

Thank you both.

I was a bit nervous about using hammers but it looks like the route I'll be going down this evening.

gbb - Sounds like we might have been struggling with the same bike - Via Nirone?

 

[gbb]

Thank you both.

I was a bit nervous about using hammers but it looks like the route I'll be going down this evening.

gbb - Sounds like we might have been struggling with the same bike - Via Nirone?

Yup...thats the one.
Carbon wrap seatpost ?
Also had problems with the downtube adjusters siezing up...i think its my cleaning method, i use a spray bottle and paper towel.

I copperslipped anything and everything i could remove when i got the new bike, virtually stripped it down to the frame.

 

[boydj]

The BB Cups can be a bit reluctant. I hold the frame and tool onto the cup with one hand and then get a big hammer and six or so very hard blows to the tool should loosen it. An easier way is to pop the frame in a vice and get a long tube over the tool for added leverage.

Better is to put the tool in the vise, insert the BB cup in the tool and use the frame for leverage. That should shift it.

 

[AndyRM]

You should be able to gently knock the axle through (use a piece of wood as contact and take a hammer gently to the wood).

Tried that and ended up with a wooden spoon stuck in the axle... Ahem... It's OK though as I managed to remove the cups so I've got the whole piece out. I am planning on just burning the wood out. Bad idea?

gbb - Yup, the very same. I was a bit disappointed to find out that the carbon was just a wrap. Don't see the point in that at all. I ended up standing on the saddle and pulling the frame up off the post. Nearly smashed my knackers, but got there in the end!

boydj - Unfortunately I don't have a vice, but I've been able to get everything off and now have a new decoration for my wall!