Had a vintage bottom bracket lockring come loose on a ride yesterday

I was about 15 miles into a ride on a 1970s Peugeot I just finished fixing up. Heard this awful grinding noise from the crank area that got worse with each pedal stroke. Pulled over and the left crank arm was wobbling like crazy. The lockring had backed off maybe a quarter turn, letting the adjustable cup move. I didn't have a pin spanner in my saddle bag, just a multi-tool. Ended up using the flathead screwdriver part against the notches to tighten it back up enough to get home. Felt like a real hack job on the side of the road. How do you guys properly torque those old lockrings without them coming loose again? Is there a trick, or do you just need the right tool and muscle?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.diana6d ago

That lockring drama sounds a bit overblown.

iris4415d ago

The 8mm wrench spec is the real problem, not the lockring itself. Ellis.diana, the issue is that the tool slips and strips the ring, leaving bikes stuck in shops. I've seen three local mechanics deal with warranty claims this month alone. It's a design flaw that costs people time and money.