Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Peugeot Nightmare Single Speed (Plz Help)

Hi all,
I'm relatively new around here and I'm currently working on my (conversion/upgrade) of my current single speed Peugeot bike. The bike I believe is from the early 70's.. it looks like this one http://re-cycle.com/ImageFetch.ashx?picNum=1&Size=0&ImageID=967
Anyways I purchased 700cc tires, a new seat, and I'm gonna get new bars (as I currently have bull horns) but am sick of them. My biggest problem (which Ive read all over) is with the bottom bracket. I need it replaced because I want new cranks (currently they are the old cotter type) and a new chain ring (since I ran 52-16 for a year and they suck up hills). I'm looking to go 48-16 (not sure if this would make a difference). Anyways the bottom bracket is killing me, honestly I don't know what to do. The cups are good so I think I can replace the axle to upgrade but I have no clue on how to do this or where to purchase one. I have tried reading all over including Sheldon browns website but am still confused. If its really costly I might just forget about the frame and buy a new aluminum one. Please help someone. Thanks

If you think it's worth your time than the bottom bracket can be fixed. Three piece construction--two cups and the spindle--should not be a gigantic problem. Just buy a square taper spindle from a co-op or buy a new bottom bracket and interchange the spindle.

I read on phillyfixed someone took their frenchie to a well-qualified shop and had the threads changed to italian.

HI . i rethreaded the BB on my 1969 Peugeot PA-10 . I was in very very rough shape ( threads were almost toast ) so i brought out the old tool set and rethreaded it to --> italian . its a good idea if your threads are not in good shape . otherwise KEEP it original . check ebay or ask around at the bike shops in your area for a replacement ..someone is bound to ahve something for you , otherwise break out the tool kit and get to work ,.
Cheers m8 .
//T

update... the area where the bottom bracket goes is 68mm and my overall spindle length (whole thing correct???) is about 140mm. so should i try to find a similar length of spindle?

You want to get the new cranks and then get a spindle that matches the length and taper appropriate for the cranks, which should be listed with the crank info (or searchable here or on SheldonBrown.com or whatever). The length of your old cottered BB is irrelevant, or will be once you ditch the cranks.

Hi all,
I have no clue on how to do this or where to purchase one.


This Place may help you a lot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_shop)


Just buy a French Thread Cartridge BB,
Problem solved.

Hi all,
I'm relatively new around here and I'm currently working on my (conversion/upgrade) of my current single speed Peugeot bike. The bike I believe is from the early 70's.. it looks like this one http://re-cycle.com/ImageFetch.ashx?picNum=1&Size=0&ImageID=967
Anyways I purchased 700cc tires, a new seat, and I'm gonna get new bars (as I currently have bull horns) but am sick of them. My biggest problem (which Ive read all over) is with the bottom bracket. I need it replaced because I want new cranks (currently they are the old cotter type) and a new chain ring (since I ran 52-16 for a year and they suck up hills). I'm looking to go 48-16 (not sure if this would make a difference). Anyways the bottom bracket is killing me, honestly I don't know what to do. The cups are good so I think I can replace the axle to upgrade but I have no clue on how to do this or where to purchase one. I have tried reading all over including Sheldon browns website but am still confused. If its really costly I might just forget about the frame and buy a new aluminum one. Please help someone. Thanks

I've got four or five axles you are welcome to if you want them. I have no idea if they'll fit or not but they are the same overall length I needed to replace a cottered crankset. Sheldon's site explains it very well; there are three measurements on the axle that you need to know. Find an axle of the same lengths and you're set. I was going to do this with my old Raleigh but dang it if I didn't somewheres lose one of the cups. I completely reorganized the garage and found a lot of cool stuff but not the missing cup. So I had the LBS use their 68mm tap and cut me some new threads for a Shimano bb. It went in like butter.

Or you can hit eBay and hunt for French threaded bottom brackets. They won't be cheap, though.

This Place may help you a lot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_shop)


Just buy a French Thread Cartridge BB,
Problem solved.

Not quite. I've never heard of a french-threaded cartridge bottom bracket and I couldn't find one when searching. I highly doubt it exists.


Many French bikes sold before the late 1970s used the now-obsolete French bottom-bracket threading:

35 mm x 1mm (1.378" x 25.4 TPI), right-hand thread on both sides.

instead of the ISO standard threading:

1.370/1.375 x 24 TPI left-hand fixed cup, right hand adjustable cup.

If your frame is made for a French-thread bottom bracket, a standard adjustable (right) cup will fit in, at least a little way but it will be very loose and will be unusable.

You should either buy new cranks, then a spindle matching the required length, or go to a co-op, stick in a 68mm square taper spindle and try installing cranks until you find something suitable.

thanks guys. ok so what im gathering is I can keep my 2 cups and then just replace the axle? then with this i just need to make sure the axle is the correct size for where the chain ring and cranks need to go? this is what i seem to be gathering from this, sorry if this is wrong or repeated information.

i've got one in my PX-10 right now

i've got one in my PX-10 right now
Where'd you get it?

I have a similar frame for my fixie (PX-10). What I learned were the options:
1. Get a new spindle - Yellowjersey.org has a lot, and can set you up. Rebuild. ($85+)
2. Specialities TA (sp?) has loose bearing bottom brackets with French thread. ($110)
3. Phil Wood sealed cartridge bottom brackets with French thread cups ($140)

As mentioned above, you shouldn't do anything until you pick your crank and figure out the spindle length that it needs. Pay attention if you are using one of the cranks that is really a double. Too long a spindle and you will have the sprocket on the inside of the spider which looks a little funny. Also, the taper (assuming square spindle) is not uniform - Campy is different!

I went with Phil Wood because it was adjustable and I now have a perfect chain line.

I am not a mechanic, I just had to do what you are doing.

M

Also, you cannot tap a French thread BB for English thread. You can for Italian thread. If your frame is not a PX-10 (I don't think the bike in the picture is) it is likely worth less than than a bottom bracket. Everything on a Peugeot is hard - seatpost, stem, BB, bars are all sizes that are no longer supported by even vintage places.

If it is a PX-10, then sell the parts and you can afford a new BB and cranks.

This Place may help you a lot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_shop)


Just buy a French Thread Cartridge BB,
Problem solved.

Phil Wood are the only folks currently making French cupped bottom brackets.