Bicycle Mechanics - Campy BB with Superbe Pro Crankset

Hi

I am building a bike mostly with 70s and 80s campy NR and SR components. So far I have a Campy BB with 114.5 spindle, SR front derailleurs from late 70s/early 80s. I have been lurking on Ebay looking to snag an SR or C-record crankset (yes I am a lurker and make no apologies, its the only way to win ;-)) but so far have gotten outbid or prices have gone above my max (outlurked by other lurkers). Just saw a nice set of Superbe Pro cranks so am thinking that I might try for those since no Campys are coming up for several more days. I have read through threads on matching BBs with Superbe pro cranks but the fundmentals of chainline defy my ability to understand. While I gather from Sheldon Brown that 111mm Campy spindle would be ideal, can someone with several point higher IQ than me tell me whether my campy 114.5 spindle and SR front derailleur from late 70s or early 80s will work with Superbe Pro double chainring Cranks from 1985?

If you already have a campy BB, then you can't(shouldn't) use those cranks. Square taper BBs come in ISO and JIS tapers. I don't remember the exact details but when differing crank and BB tapers are mixed, the chainline is affected by about 4mm(I think). Additionally, since you're using an old style loose ball BB, you'll have to regularly take it apart and service it. When you do this, you have to remove the cranks and repeatedly reinstalling the incorrect tapered crank on the BB will eventually cause the crank to split.

Here is a quote:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/suntour.html

>A note on Superbe Pro BBs: Suntour used a weird taper for their Superbe Pro BBs of the time. The closest match other than a Superbe Pro BB would be Campagnolo square taper, from what I understand. I think this is the approach that Phil Wood recommends.

Here is a quote:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/suntour.html

>A note on Superbe Pro BBs: Suntour used a weird taper for their Superbe Pro BBs of the time. The closest match other than a Superbe Pro BB would be Campagnolo square taper, from what I understand. I think this is the approach that Phil Wood recommends.

Thanks Barabaika for pointing me to Sheldon Brown. His site seems to contradict Orangepaint's response that I not use Superbe crank with Campy BB because of difference is the taper. In addition to quote you note, the site also notes that Campy 111mm BB will provide right chainline for Superbe cranks (again implying the spindle taper would be ok with the crank). This leaves me wondering about length; it seems the taper of the 114.5 spindle might be ok Superbe cranks but the additional 3.5 mils will through the chainline off a hair (less than 2 mils?). It seems to me this might be something I can live with. Had I wanted to use a spindle shorter that 111, I might have to worry about crank hitting chainstays, but with longer spindle, a the crank should stil work but chainline would just be slightly off. Or am I missing something here?

Orangepaint's response is correct in general, but Superbe is weird.
I would stay away from a part that is weird.
You can try the Vintage forum; maybe, there are Superbe owners there. And search in the forum.

I wouldn't worry about a 2mm difference. It can even be beneficial: the chain won't touch the big chain ring when it's on the middle/small ring and a small cog.

I trust Sheldon more than I trust myself. If his site contradicts mine, then go with his advice. Do try the C&V forum though.

On the subject of ISO/JIS compatability, Sheldon also commented that, while he didn't combine parts on customers' bikes, he did it regularly on his own, with no adverse affects. You can find the quote on the Harris site if you really want to. On the chainline issue, I agree that the 2mm isn't likely to be critical, but "ideal chainline" on a multi-speed bike is largely a function of which gears you ride in the most. Try for optimal chainline in those, and don't worry so much about what the specs tell you to do.

Same answer as the 1st reply.I'm sure the topic is covered in www.parktool.com mechanic's dept.Also the BF "family",, brings this topic up often here.
But,.Aren't all Italian BB fixed cups threaded Clockwise? You could go loose bearings & spindle.A cartridge BB.Or Phil Wood.I'd use what you don't have to buy more tools for first. chris