egenz

I just bought a 7703 Dura Ace Triple Crank. What do I need for a bottom bracket and/or cups?

capwater

What frame? Italian or English threading? Most likely a 118.5 x 68, you can go with either the 7700 (DA), 6500 (Ultegra) or 5500 (105). All are Octalink BBs.

HillRider

I recommend the BB-6500 (Ultegra) bottom bracket in 118.5 x 68 if English or 118.5x 70 if Italian. It is extremely durable and smooth and requires zero maintenance. The BB-7700 (Dura Ace) is a maintenance headache as it is built to be the light and is adjustable but not well sealed. The BB-5500 (105) is fine but a bit heavier and not much less expensive.

egenz

I will go with the Ultegra then. It is a Surly frame with English threads. It sounds like the 118 will give me a good chain line with the triple. Thanks very much for your help!!
Eric

seriouslysilly

I have the ultegra 6500 with my crank and i'm happy with the purchase. I have been looking around to no avail because not many of the online stores carry them anymore. Well, the 118.5 size at least. An auction on ebay ended at $45 recently.
Good luck with your search.

egenz

You are right about the lack of Ultegra 6500 bottom brackets. I can't find them for the triple in English thread. I did find a 105 5503 bottom bracket on a website, so I ordered that one. They also had a few 9 speed Dura ace items on sale so I bought them too. I have been looking for 9 speed Dura ace rear hubs but haven't had any luck yet.

rmfnla

Correction: The BB-7700 for a double crankset is a maintenance headache; the 7703 (for the triple) is the same design as the Ultegra and the 105, just a few grams lighter, and works really well.

In fact, I have one in The Mighty Curtlo and everyone around here is smiling!

HillRider

Now this I didn't know so thanks for the correction. I assumed (incorrectly it seems) that both the double and triple Dura Ace Octalink bb's shared the same design. That's good to know.

Cavalão

I assumed too... I just got a new 7703 BB for a tandem project and was like WTF when I opened the box and saw it was a sealed type and not really adjustable (chainline wise)... I specifically wanted the unsealed so I could shift chainline... even the service leaflet included with it shows the unsealed adjustable parts schematic... this is VERY frustrating, since if I would have known that I would be using square taper cranks for the project so I could shift the axle to favor the drive side (I want to run a single side driveline for the timing chain). I already bought the cranks too...Arrrghhh!

Cavalão

Actually, the sealed aspect has nothing to do with it, more the left cup and its fixed shoulder... I suppose I can use a left cup without the shoulder... are they standard (I can use one from any ISIS or ISO BB?), or do I need to machine the outer ring off?