In this article I will share my experience with the Park Tool BBT-10 Preload cap tool Shimano Hollowtech II cranks. I have been using this tool for a long time to adjust the pre-load on Shimano Dura Ace 9000, Shimano Deore XT M8100 and Shimano GRX 820 Hollowtech II cranksets
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key features Park Tool BBT-10 Preload cap tool
On the product page of the Park Tool BBT-10 Preload Cap Tool, or as Park Tool has listed the product as Adjusting Cap Tool for Shimano Hollowtech II, you can read the following description:
The BBT-10.2 is a specialty tool for removing and installing crank arm caps on Shimano® Hollowtech® II cranks, including those found on e-bikes. Includes a built-in hook to lift the safety plate found on Hollowtech® II crank arms, speeding crank removal. The investment-cast steel body provides good leverage and includes an 8 mm hex fitting for removing seized or overtightened caps.
Please note that I have the BBT-10 version which is a predecessor of the BBT-10.2 version now available. The main difference is that the BBT-10 Preload Cap Tool is missing the built-in hook that allows you to remove the safety plate. Personally I either use a 2 mm long hex-key from my preferred brands PB Swiss Tools or Wera. I might also the famous PB Swiss Tools classic screwdriver (with a small flat head).
The design reminds me of a butterfly nut, however with the specific star Hollowtech Preload Cap design. On my bikes I’ve replaced the default plastic caps with aluminum versions of Wheelsmfg FIX-BOLT-1 for Shimano Dura Ace 9000 and Kogel Bearings Shimano Crank Arm Fixing Bolt. The butterfly nut design allows you for easy hand tightning or hand loosening, without any issue.
Usage as butterfly nut and with long hex-key in size 8 mm.
If you would end up with a crank arm bolt that is stuck, you could use a 8 mm long hex-key from the brands above, however in practice I’ve never needed to use a hex key, simply because the aluminum fixing bolts have some Morgan Blue Aquaproof Paste or Weldtite TF2 Lithium Grease on the threads.
So overall it is a well thought out design, except for some mountain bike cranksets like the Shimano Deore XT M8100 crankset. See 4iiii Precision 3 Power meter Deore XT M8100 for the close-up pictures of the crank arm and preload bolt. The crank arm fixing bolt reside deeper in the crank arm, and the boost version of the Shimano Deore XT M8100 cranks have a different angle and/or shape compared to the centerline of the mountain bike. The butterfly nut arms would touch the crank arm, but luckily I have a work around with the RISK cap removal tool for Shimano Hollowtech II.
However I might be able to get my hands on the Enduro BBT-001/B tool. As far as I can oversee now, it wouldn’t have this issue due to a different design.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price-point of the Park Tool BBT-10 Preload cap tool Shimano Hollowtech II cranks varies between 20,00 or 25,00 which is fair given the longevity and quality of the tool.
It is one of those essential tools that every home mechanic needs to have on its workbench. And you simply cannot go wrong with the quality of Park Tool products and tools. This is another excellent and essential product Park Tool CN-10 Cable Cutter.
- What tool are you using to remove the crank arm fixing bolt / pre load cap on your Shimano Hollowtech II crankset ?
- Why did you choose this specific brand ?
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