Ok so everything was going really well - I started by removing the pedals - had to check which way each went (lefty loosey doesn’t work for me at the best of times and it definitely doesn’t work for one of the pedals as it goes the opposite to the other) - the best tip I was given worked for whichever pedal you were undoing - Put the spanner (or in my case an Alan key) on the pedal in the 12 o’clock position then turn it towards the back of the bike. I did label the pedals with masking tape just to make my day easier too.
Once the pedals were off, it was time to remove the cranks. Non driving first. There was a cap which unscrewed with an Alan key - that was easy. Then I needed to use a crank puller tool to remove the crank from the spindle (check me out with these fancy names).
The non drive side came away quite easily - giving me more confidence that I could do this. (I was carefully storing each bit that came off in order in case I just had to put it all back on again)
Onto the drive side. The cap came out easily enough, but I just couldn’t get the crank puller to move.
Time to give up?
Find someone stronger?
Na!
After a check that I was turning the right way (the pedals had got me doubting) I went and found some assistance. My preferred option was to use a pipe over the tool and use the law of moments to help me. But, I didn’t have a pipe to hand. Instead I found a rubber mallet which gave enough force to ge the thing moving. 
And now I could see the bottom bracket and the realisation hit - I had the tool to fit the new one, but didn’t have the tool to remove this.
So what now. Even if I ordered one on express delivery, I couldn’t move on till tomorrow. I didn’t want to hand the bike over to a bike shop - that would defeat the whole object.
Montys Bike Hub to the rescue.
I had been chatting to one of the chaps at the local ‘Bike kitchen’ abouty plans and he had kindly offered their tools if I needed any. I messaged to see if his offer stood. He responded really quick so off I went with bike frame and new bits in hand.
I was a little worried that the usual would happen - girl walks into bike shop (*replace with any area of vague expertise) Man in shop goes into ‘girl in distress mode’, the words “Leave it with me Love” inevitably get muttered and the job is wisked away without you ever having the chance to learn anything. But no - with huge credit to Montys - I was shown where to set up. Was given the tool I needed. The guys were on hand if I needed it, but were more than happy to let me crack on. What a breath of fresh air!!!!
I didn’t take any pics while there apart from that missing tool.
They offered for me to stay and do the rest of the job there - in case I needed any advice. I took them up on their kind offer - I cleaned the shell (the bit of the frame the bracket sits in) which took a fair bit of time. Apparently you accumulate a lot of mess while riding 6000 miles. (Though I’m sure I’ve had a bracket replaced before now)
The new style bracket was really easy to fit - drive side first - nice direction indicators telling me which way to tighten and the correct torque setting too. The non drive side next - again that went in so easily and the bracket was a perfect fit.
The new crankset was different to the old (hence the need for a different type of bottom bracket) It’s a two piece with the spindle attached to the drive side. A quick check on the official Shimano website by the chaps showed which side the spacers went. Again everything was shown and explained to me in a completely non patronising way then I was left to it. For their own piece of mind I think, the chaps checked my work then I was back on my way with the satisfaction that I had done the job myself.
I can’t thank those guys at Montys enough. Go check out their website - they do a fantastic job refitting bikes and getting them into the community.
So in the voice of Sesame Street - this repair was brought to you by Montys bike hub and Park tool videos
Next stop - The rear derailleur and the fun of indexing!
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