Bicycle Mechanics - Klein with threadless bb, what crankset?

Hi,

I just bought an older Klein Quantum Road frame. I would like to get a crankset but I am not sure what will fit. I could not find a good match at Sheldon Brown's site.

Here is what I know about the bottom bracket:

1) Press fit threadless bb installed by Klein (according to the prev owner).
2) Bike had all Dura Ace components (according to the prev owner).
3) Type 1 (hole on end for bolt) square taper (13mm on tip to 14.5mm at inside end of taper).
4) Spindle length from tip to tip is 117.5mm.
5) Width of the frame at the bb is 76mm.
6) Spindle is offset left side (tip to frame) 22mm, right (crank side) (tip to frame) 19.5mm.
7) The bb bearing has 6003 RSR and 6003 C3 Portugal on it.

It also came with an shimano 600 (ultegra?) rear 8 speed hub (13,14,15,17,19,21,23,26), I believe this was on the bike when it was together.

I am not sure what year the bike is. The bike has the narrow seat post and somewhat smaller tubing on the frame (pre 1992?) So my guess is 89' - 91'. The S/N is QU724.

This BB is nice and smooth and has no play as far as I can tell. The previous owner said he may have put 8,000 – 10,000 miles on it.

Also is there any chance in still finding a new bb to fit this frame? My Dad has a newer Klein (92’ -95’ ish) with threadless bb and he has not been able to locate a replacement for his.

Thanks in advance for any info you can send my way about the bike or crankset recommendations.

Sorry if I wrote too much information but I figured the more the better.

all lot of square-taper road doubles (including most shimano) used 113 or thereabouts. the bearings themselves are common, i don't remember the number off the top of my head, but they're probably on the seals. i believe you can order a custom length spindle from phil wood.

The RSX triple crank on my Cannondale takes a 118 mm BB spindle.

Hi,

I just bought an older Klein Quantum Road frame. I would like to get a crankset but I am not sure what will fit. I could not find a good match at Sheldon Brown's site.

Here is what I know about the bottom bracket:

1) Press fit threadless bb installed by Klein (according to the prev owner).
2) Bike had all Dura Ace components (according to the prev owner).
3) Type 1 (hole on end for bolt) square taper (13mm on tip to 14.5mm at inside end of taper).
4) Spindle length from tip to tip is 117.5mm.
5) Width of the frame at the bb is 760mm.
6) Spindle is offset left side (tip to frame) 22mm, right (crank side) (tip to frame) 19.5mm.
7) The bb bearing has 6003 RSR and 6003 C3 Portugal on it.

It also came with an shimano 600 (ultegra?) rear 8 speed hub (13,14,15,17,19,21,23,26), I believe this was on the bike when it was together.

I am not sure what year the bike is. The bike has the narrow seat post and somewhat smaller tubing on the frame (pre 1992?) So my guess is 89' - 91'. The S/N is QU724.

This BB is nice and smooth and has no play as far as I can tell. The previous owner said he may have put 8,000 – 10,000 miles on it.

Also is there any chance in still finding a new bb to fit this frame? My Dad has a newer Klein (92’ -95’ ish) with threadless bb and he has not been able to locate a replacement for his.

Thanks in advance for any info you can send my way about the bike or crankset recommendations.

Sorry if I wrote too much information but I figured the more the better.

You probably have a 95 or 96 Klein. You can keep the BB and use any crank for 113 mm spindle and JIS square taper (slightly different from Campagnolo taper) TA is one good crank. You could also swap the BB out with a kit from Reset Racing www.reset-racing.com/ (http://www.reset-racing.com/)

Thanks for the info. That is exactly what I was looking for. I would like to use the current BB for now and it's nice to know I can still get a replacement if needed, especially with Octalink as an option.

It seems a bit odd that my bb is offset more on the left side of the frame than the right. Is that normal? I was thinking if anything the chain side would be longer.

To make sure I understand correctly even though the spindle is actually 117.5mm I should use a crankset for 113mm with JIS square taper? Do Shimano square taper cranks normally fit JIS?

Will a Shimano 6400 series Ultegra square taper fit, and is $65.00 too much for a used one on ebay with no bolts and Avitar rings?

I guess one more question if you will endulge me.
Is it possible to get a 10 speed rear hub on my frame? the rear dropout is 130mm, would a triple fit on the cranks? Should I buy a new groupo from my LBS or just look for used parts? If I am going to buy new parts I am thinking if I can upgrade the bike to a 10 speed 3 ring I should do it now and not have to buy another groupo If I decide 8 speed is not enough. What do you think?

I'm also wondering If it's worth it to put $1,000.00 or more into such an old bike even though the frame looks like new.

Thanks again for the Replys!

btw, I think I have seen Mt Diablo from Walnut Creek CA! Nice area :)

I've got square taper Dura Ace arms on my '95 Quantum with the pressed in factory BB. They fit just fine.

That's more than one extra question!
10 speed requires 130mm drop-out spacing, so you're good to go there. 10 speed cassettes will fit on your freehub.
As to whether 10 speed is a worthwhile upgrade, that's a personal choice, but all it will get you is slightly closer jumps in ratio as you change up through your cassette, at the cost of more expensive chains and cassettes. Do you already have 8 speed shifters? They are the most expensive part of the upgrade from 8 to 10. Its getting harder to find 8 speeds so if your shifters fail you may well be pushed into upgrading then.
On crank end of things, if you want a triple, then getting one would make sense while you're swapping BB. Although cranksets are marketed as being speed specific, the reality is that lots of people have upgraded their rear to 10 speed and not changed the cranks with good results.

Press fit threadless bb? Didn't that require frame modification to use?

It seems a bit odd that my bb is offset more on the left side of the frame than the right. Is that normal? I was thinking if anything the chain side would be longer.

Normally the drive side is longer but some fat tube Al frames had chainstays so wide the spindle had to be longer on the NDS side. I have a '93 Trek 7000 MTB that requires the longer end on the non-drive side so the crank arm clears the chainstay.


To make sure I understand correctly even though the spindle is actually 117.5mm I should use a crankset for 113mm with JIS square taper? Do Shimano square taper cranks normally fit JIS?

Your asymmetric spindle is probably the same length on the driveside as a 113 would be. And yes, all square taper Shimano cranks have a JIS taper.


Will a Shimano 6400 series Ultegra square taper fit, and is $65.00 too much for a used one on ebay with no bolts and Avitar rings?

Yes it will fit and yes that's too expensive. You could also use a 105 105X series crank. Check a few bike shops as either crank may be available NOS for no more money and will include the Shimano rings and fixing bolts.


Is it possible to get a 10 speed rear hub on my frame? the rear dropout is 130mm, would a triple fit on the cranks? Should I buy a new groupo from my LBS or just look for used parts? If I am going to buy new parts I am thinking if I can upgrade the bike to a 10 speed 3 ring I should do it now and not have to buy another groupo If I decide 8 speed is not enough. What do you think?

Any 10-speed road hub will fit. A triple may or may not fit the current spindle. You will have to try one to see if the spindle is long enough to assure the chainrings clear the chainstay.


I'm also wondering If it's worth it to put $1,000.00 or more into such an old bike even though the frame looks like new.

It's your money but, personally, I wouldn't. The bb is a proprietary one that is getting increasingly hard and more expensive to find. It was definitely not one of Gary Klein's better ideas. Phil Wood does make replacement bottom bracket spindles at $84 each and has replacement bearings so it's not hopeless, just expensive and rather limiting.

One other factor. Aluminum frames are not lifetime purchases. Klein was bought out by Trek years ago and seem to be on the verge of being eliminated as a brand so your warranty is probably useless by now.

Wow!

Thanks everyone for the very helpful information. I didn't know a thing about this stuff a few days ago and now I feel pretty comfortable about what to do and how to go about it! This forum is great and you guys are great for the advice and time you spend replying.

The more I talk with bikers the more I know I am glad to be getting into biking!

Thanks a million!