Campagnolo Crank, Miche BB and Chainline...?

[bradberry00]

Hello,
I have an old Campagnolo Pista crankset and from what I have read they like a 109mm BB to get a 42mm chainline (I think). Given that is a true statement would the Miche Primato 110mm BB that I believe is slightly adjustable work?

Thanks,
David

[11.4]

Someone here should correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the unusual chainline on Miche cranksets derives from the crankset itself, not the bottom bracket. I think that should work. The only thing I'd say is that I've seen a disproportionate number of Miche bottom brackets that have had problems with loosening -- it's almost as if the threads are made very slightly undersized. Even with thread-locker on the cups, my home track has three riders with Miche bottom brackets and cranks and all three are retightening them almost weekly (different frames on each), and at another track I frequently visit I see some of the same. A local shop owner just rolls his eyes -- he's apparently seen it too. I'm sure others don't have any problem with these bottom brackets, but you might take a look at other bottom brackets while you're at it.

[mickster]

Hello,
I have an old Campagnolo Pista crankset and from what I have read they like a 109mm BB to get a 42mm chainline (I think). Given that is a true statement would the Miche Primato 110mm BB that I believe is slightly adjustable work?

Thanks,
David

You might want to double check those figures; I'm sure the the Miche Primato track BB is 107mm length, and pretty sure the *current* Campag Pista BB is 111mm; older Super Record cranks apparently did use a 109mm spindle (http://www.businesscycles.com/tr-refspec.htm#b/b). If you're using these older cranks then you might get away with it.

IME the Miche BB isn't top quality / ultra smooth etc but is fine for dry track use. Make sure to clean and lube the BB threads and really torque the two cups down well using a torque wrench if possible. The BB doesn't use a fixed cup like most but instead uses two flangeless adjustable cups which are tightened against each other - I think this design is particularly prone to loosening if things aren't torqued down well to begin with.

HTH

[bradberry00]

The Miche track BB is 107mm but they offer a 110mm...probably for their road cranks..??

[mickster]

The Miche track BB is 107mm but they offer a 110mm...probably for their road cranks..??

If it's a road BB, check that the spindle is symmetrical - most road aren't eg Campag. If its asymmetric, it'll be even further away from the 42mm you're after.

[piwonka]

the Miche track BB comes in 107, 110, and 115 i think htey are.
i have the 110mm BB with some old (151bcd) campy cranks and was able to make it work because it's adjustable.
no it's not the smoothest nor the lightest but it's ok.
like previously mentioned if you get the cups nice and tight they work ok. i've got some good miles on mine and they haven't loosened up yet, but yes i noticed they do loosen up, a little grease and some torque pretty much did away with that problem.

[bradberry00]

any recommendation of what to torque the cups down to?

[piwonka]

i didn't use a torque wrench but i'd say mine are probably at 45-50 ft-lbs maybe....pretty damn tight...put a good amount of grease on the threads.

[bikejack]

Someone here should correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the unusual chainline on Miche cranksets derives from the crankset itself, not the bottom bracket. I think that should work. The only thing I'd say is that I've seen a disproportionate number of Miche bottom brackets that have had problems with loosening -- it's almost as if the threads are made very slightly undersized. Even with thread-locker on the cups, my home track has three riders with Miche bottom brackets and cranks and all three are retightening them almost weekly (different frames on each), and at another track I frequently visit I see some of the same. A local shop owner just rolls his eyes -- he's apparently seen it too. I'm sure others don't have any problem with these bottom brackets, but you might take a look at other bottom brackets while you're at it.

I haven't had the BB problem but I've found the Miche hub and carrier threads to be a mixed bag, looks like poor QC more than anything. I avoid Miche where I can now.

[stewardmike03]

WTF??? Um...I have older (144 bcd though) Campy Pistas and they run PERFECT with a Campy ISO 102mm Spindle. On a 107mm BB you'll have to drive the drive side cup in further to achieve the same effect...possible on Miche BB's but it will leave a lot of the non-drive cone threads exposed.