Bicycle Mechanics - upgrading french crank system

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ohwen
08-23-11, 09:50 AM
Hi, I'm new- to bikes (mostly) and this forum.

I recently came across a Follis frame (French build, little to no information available) and I'm stripping it, repainting it, and converting it to a fixed a gear for commuting. I would like to replace the crank system and bottom bracket with new parts (the old crank system is a bit rusted and banged up, and one of the cotter pins was rusted out and broke during the uninstallation).

I'm not sure how to measure what size bottom bracket I need, and I'm not sure that the ones I'm looking at will be compatible with the crank set I'm looking at. Also (this is probably a dumb question) but does the fixed right cup stay on during the installation of of a new bottom bracket?

These are the parts that I'm looking at:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/french-cranks.html#bottom

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F6VVYM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2TE9IQP68MWQU

Thanks,
Owen

fietsbob
08-23-11, 11:07 AM
French BB threading is 35mm, both RH.. , Italian is 36mm also RH

you have to replace the whole thing..

top dollar But Phil Wood BBs use interchangeable Mounting rings
so you just buy the appropriate ring.

If you don't know how to put things together Amazon won't help you,
your local bike shop will..
ohwen
08-23-11, 12:39 PM
Thanks for your reply. What does RH stand for?

I know I have to replace the whole thing, the bottom bracket I linked to on Harris Cyclery is french threaded (so I'm assuming 35mm) but I'm not sure how to determine the other size (103mm, 107mm, 110mm, etc) to figure out which one I need. I'm also wondering whether that BB will compatible with modern crank systems, like the one I linked to.

fietsbob
08-23-11, 12:48 PM
Right Hand, clockwise, the most common way threads are cut.

spindle elength is determined by what crank you have . there is a big difference

shopping online wont answer that question.. nobody is there.
Ex Pres
08-23-11, 03:16 PM
It looks like you'll need this (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/grand-cru-bottom-brackets-hollow-axle-alloy-cups-26.html)(in 103mm) to match that crankset.

Edit - I clicked and see Harris is now carrying the same, so you're good.