Classic & Vintage - replacing a french bottom bracket

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braingel
01-15-07, 03:39 PM
the cranks are cottered...can i just find a different spindle if i want to use 3 piece cranks, or do i need new cups as well? if i can just get the spindle, is there anything secret that i need to know? i remember reading somewhere that the walls on french cups are thinner or something like that, but i can't recall where.

unworthy1
01-15-07, 03:47 PM
You *might* be able to reuse the old cups with a new cotterless type spindle...but maybe not, the only "secret" would be if the spindle's center spacing (between bearings) is different then it won't fit. I'd get an entire bottom bracket assembly so you'd be covered, I doubt it will cost that much more than just a spindle alone. You'll want it to match the crank and place that in the proper chainline position. Helps to have everthing in hand so you can check it all by "dry fitting": whenever I start guessing at sizes I usually guess wrong.