Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Campy spindles & Shimano 600/ D-Ace cranks — square taper same?

Out there at some airport sits an 1985 Simplon in Reynolds 531 with Campy dropouts and a CAMPY BB/spindle in square taper. Now I am trolling for a crankset. Older Campy, AFAIK almost always uses 144 BCD — a real PITA when it comes to replacing rings. So, I'm now looking at Shimano 600/Ultegra — or even Dura-Ace doubles — if the pressure is not too high on the auction bids.

QUESTION: Are the square tapers the same? Will 600 and Dura-Ace bolt on the Campy taper?

PS ... I did attempt a seaarch here and elsewhere but .... getting nowhere fast. Thanks in advance — Lorne/Lenton58

No. The taper differs.

I think I just answered my own question — sigh. The late Mr Sheldon Brown, as usual, came through. The bottom line is that the ISO standard used in Europe MAY allow a JIS/Japanese standard crank to fit, but it will not be exact. What to do? change out the Campy BB and go Shimano, or try to get the best old Campy spider and rings I can find? At least I'll be roughly certain that the chain-line will be set up if I just overhaul the Campy BB?

Opinions ± comments?

Thanks rat fink. I think that you are one Campy seller I'm watching.

Is anyone still making an ISO square tapered crank set, or am I/we stuck with Campagnolo? I get nervous when I think about how many times a vintage crank set has ben pulled on and off the spindle — ring wear aside and being yet another issue?

Just use it....if it works, fine. If it doesnt, use something else.

Just use it....if it works, fine. If it doesnt, use something else.Good point ... but I am importing this stuff. Mailing and freight has gone nuts in recent times.

If the Simplon has English BB threading finding a correct JIS BB should be easy

If the Simplon has English BB threading finding a correct JIS BB should be easy

Yes. But an Asian company, known here as Token, makes a line of really nice replacement BBs in all threadings (well, French?) and to fit JIS and Campy.

Campy was square in some models at least into 2006. Not all Campy square tapers will be vintage.

Ask on CR about possible issues with the # of times a crank has been R&R'd. I'm pretty sure the response will be that it is not the source of problems.

Hi Bob. Yes the threads are exactly English — something I was not expecting. After costing out a new BB and blah blah I went for an NOS Campy record crank set. Not super cheap, and there is shipping to boot. But I've been along this route before. The options: cheaper new parts. cheaper used parts, or the more expensive NOS TOTL.. Luckily I found the Campy BB shells and spindle to be in decent shape, otherwise Road Fan's advice would have ben my main focus. In fact, I'll file this stuff away for yet another build in the future.