Road Bike Mechanical Questions...
 

Maybe y'all can help me out with a few questions. A little prelude -- It's been two months since I was out of the saddle for 10 years or so. When I was riding initially, I was on a Bianchi with downtube shifters and toe-clipped pedals -- brifters and clipless pedals hadn't been invented yet. So there have been a lot of changes in bike technology that I'm trying to catch up on.

My first questions are about bottom brackets. I'm currently riding a Trek 1000; would that frame take an older-style "European" (as they were called BITD) bottom bracket? Or have bottom brackets changed to the point where modern frames won't take the older "European" bottom brackets?

My second questions relate to brifters. The Trek 1000 comes with Sora brifters; the 2203 front deraileur leaves a lot to be desired. I've got a line on a Campagnolo Veloce front deraileur (for triple-sprocketed cranks); would it work with the Sora brifters? Or would I be best to get the matching Veloce rear deraileur, cassette, and brifters to upgrade them all at the same time?

Thanks,
Tim.

Your trek takes a standard english thread BB with a 68mm shell width.You have to get the same square taper spindle length and JIS square taper(shimano) What's in there is most likely a throw away cartridge type. Forget the veloce FD.It won't work with shimano sti,especially with a triple. Your FD issue may be nothing more than adjustment. www.parktool.com repair section has the drill. Be advised the a Campy cassette won't fit the rear hub you have.

Heh, heh.. I guess it's all European threads, eh? English, French & Italian! :)