Bicycle Mechanics - resource for hard to find spindle sizes?

After some trial and error, careful measuring and consulting Barnetts, I am pretty sure I have figured out the perfect sized spindle I need to get a good chainline and tread on a fixed gear conversion i am working on. Does anyone know of a resource for finding somewhat rare or unusual spindles? I would ideally like to find a 3NL or D-3NL = 34.5 and 36 ends with 52mm center width... has anyone had any luck finding unusual spindles online, and if so where? I have checked my LBS including City Bikes and Recyclery (in portland) w/o any luck. Harris Cyclery doesn't carry this size either.

There are some close misses for other spindles which would probably work as well and be easier to find, but it just frustrates me that the perfect sized spindle exists but is just too tricky to locate. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

So basically you are looking for a 104 bb?

Loose Screws/The Third Hand lists a couple of cup-and-cone bb's but nothing in the size you specify. Here is the closest they come:

http://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Bottom%20Bracket&sc=Spindles&tc=&item_id=SU-3S&id=545675228265

Have you checked the various Shimano cartridge bb's specs to see if one would work? These are much easier to find.

So basically you are looking for a 104 bb?

Add the numbers again. :) The overall length is 122.5

I'm wondering what kind of crank you have that requires such a long spindle for a single chainring.

I have a Ti spindle BB with 122mm length just sitting. Brand new, never mounted. 73mm shell though.

Also have 73x117, 73x113, and two 107mm Ti spindles.

Interested?

I'm wondering what kind of crank you have that requires such a long spindle for a single chainring.

it's an old SR apex that used to hold a triple chainring... I didn't give it any thought before, but the thickness of the crank wouldn't have anything to do with it being a triple would it? It came off an old touring bike from the 70's or 80's... Actually the shorter end (34.5) is the right length for the chainline, and the 36 is just kind of arbitrary, i could use a shorter one but the 3NL is the only spindle listed for 34.5 and it happens to have 36 on the other end. The 3P spindle is 35 and 32 and will probably work as well, plus seems to be available online. I just thought I would test the waters to see if anyone knew of a place I was missing that had a selection of old spindles.

Loose Screws/The Third Hand lists a couple of cup-and-cone bb's but nothing in the size you specify. Here is the closest they come:

http://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Bottom%20Bracket&sc=Spindles&tc=&item_id=SU-3S&id=545675228265

Have you checked the various Shimano cartridge bb's specs to see if one would work? These are much easier to find.

The third hand seems to be down right now, I will take a look later and see if it's working again. I found a pretty close match for the spindle I wanted at Bike Works so I might just give that a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

I've never seen a 122.5 used wirh anything but a triple. I always try to use the shortest possible spindle for a single chainring. I like the crank to miss the chainstays by no more than 6mm on both sides.

Using an adjustable cartridge bottom bracket like a Phil Wood or this low buck Miche Primato allows you to dial in your chainline, but you still have to get the length right. I've miscalculated and bought the wrong length before, I've been able to either sell them or use them for another project.

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/6001/2692098340068014369S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2692098340068014369LGCYtu)

Have you checked the various Shimano cartridge bb's specs to see if one would work? These are much easier to find.

I looked into this and Shimano has a 122.5mm cartridge that seems good. My next question is... I see them online for around $30, which seems pretty reasonable, but then I came across a website called "Universal Cycles" where they have them for $11.99 (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=20912)...

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it seems too good to be true. Has anyone had any dealings with this website? Are they for real??

Sheldon Brown has some info. I think BB spindles are among the data lists.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

Harris Cyclery might also be able to help out with sale of the right size.

Dirtdrop... nice looking set-up. The grease nipple looks like it is meant to be there judging from the lug. Is that so? And then... what's the frame maker?

Dirtdrop... nice looking set-up. The grease nipple looks like it is meant to be there judging from the lug. Is that so? And then... what's the frame maker?

It's a Carlton from 1959. Clicking the picture should take you to more shots of it, if you're interested. It was a single speed for a while and now it's a three speed.

I looked into this and Shimano has a 122.5mm cartridge that seems good. My next question is... I see them online for around $30, which seems pretty reasonable, but then I came across a website called "Universal Cycles" where they have them for $11.99 (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=20912)...

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it seems too good to be true. Has anyone had any dealings with this website? Are they for real??
Shimano makes a series of cartridge bottom brackets and the higher number parts (BB-UN7X) are more expensive and lighter and smoother than the lower number series so that would explain the cost difference. I assume the $12 bb is a UN25 or similar.

I have a Ti spindle BB with 122mm length just sitting. Brand new, never mounted. 73mm shell though.

Also have 73x117, 73x113, and two 107mm Ti spindles.

Interested?

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