Lifeline Performance Campagnolo Cassette and BB Remover

The Lifeline Campagnolo bottom bracket and freewheel removal tool is designed for mere mortals like you and me who typically replace our cassettes every few months and bottom brackets less frequently. We need something that's rugged, and pleasant to use without causing a complete meltdown should an acquaintance misconstrue the term 'borrow'.

This one's designed for the recessed spline patterns typical of Centaur and Chorus, those with externally splined Campagnolo bottom brackets like Daytona, Mirage and Veloce will need to seek assistance elsewhere.

The machining of the splines is good, but not highly precise, which explains why ours wasn't the most perfect fit with an old but otherwise well cared-for Centaur cartridge. Not wanting to tempt fate, I locked the bike in my workstand, blasted some penetrant spray inside the seat tube and then applied leverage while holding the head firmly in place.

Weathered examples will need more liberal marinating since the old extension pole leverage trick only amplified said imprecision. Curiously, these minor intolerances weren't nearly so apparent when sweeping a freshly greased unit home, helped in no small part by integrated design and slender handle calming fears of slip damage.

History repeated itself with cassettes. Having removed the quick release skewer, rest the wheel on its side and inject a bit more penetrant or WD40 around the lock ring before introducing the tool. Most have relented with sustained even pressure, although a lockring remover with a pin that fits inside the axle inspires greater confidence when tackling more stubborn lockrings.

Reversing the procedure requires less concentration but whereas better fitting examples enable the lock ring to be wound home without pausing for breath, this has required fractionally greater caution.

Verdict

Another welcome addition to the casual fettlers' tool board—nice to use, not too nice to lend.