Symmetrical Campy BB Spindle?
#1
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Symmetrical Campy BB Spindle?
While assembling the Campy NR bottom bracket this evening that I bought a year ago on ePay, I found some puzzling features that I'm hoping you guys can clarify. The spindle is marked with the Campy winged shield, along with 70-SSA. It measures 111-113mm long (my apologies for that... I'll get a more precise measurement tomorrow when I have access to my vernier calipers). I believe the "70" indicates an Italian spindle, while the "SS" is for a road double. I haven't found any references that explain the "A". My questions are these:
1) It appears this spindle is symmetrical. There is no measurable difference between the bearing shoulder-to-end length from one side to the other. With these ol' fart eyes I can't see any dimensional difference between the two ends. Is this true?
2) I didn't get any bearings with this. One online source says that some of these shield-stamped spindles take smaller (7/32") bearing balls, instead of the standard 1/4". Is this true? The bearing surface does seem to be raised, with a slight lip where the shaft meets the tapers. If so, my guess is the cups would need to match?
The Italian-threaded cups are standard steel with the media-blasted looking finish and the riflings in the spindle holes. Any insight you guys can give would be a huge help.
1) It appears this spindle is symmetrical. There is no measurable difference between the bearing shoulder-to-end length from one side to the other. With these ol' fart eyes I can't see any dimensional difference between the two ends. Is this true?
2) I didn't get any bearings with this. One online source says that some of these shield-stamped spindles take smaller (7/32") bearing balls, instead of the standard 1/4". Is this true? The bearing surface does seem to be raised, with a slight lip where the shaft meets the tapers. If so, my guess is the cups would need to match?
The Italian-threaded cups are standard steel with the media-blasted looking finish and the riflings in the spindle holes. Any insight you guys can give would be a huge help.
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#2
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According to Sutherlands, a 70-SSA is a Croce d'Aune spindle, and it is indeed symmetrical (30-51.5-30mm), made for use with 1/4" balls, and thick rifled cups. So, wrong spindle for a NR, which would be asymmetrical (31-51.5-33, marked 70-SS normally).
This is a pretty good link for Campy NR/SR stuff, but doesn't cover the newer ones:
https://www.minortriad.com/campagbb.html
This is a pretty good link for Campy NR/SR stuff, but doesn't cover the newer ones:
https://www.minortriad.com/campagbb.html
#3
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According to Sutherlands, a 70-SSA is a Croce d'Aune spindle, and it is indeed symmetrical (30-51.5-30mm), made for use with 1/4" balls, and thick rifled cups. So, wrong spindle for a NR, which would be asymmetrical (31-51.5-33, marked 70-SS normally).
This is a pretty good link for Campy NR/SR stuff, but doesn't cover the newer ones:
Campagnolo bottom bracket info
This is a pretty good link for Campy NR/SR stuff, but doesn't cover the newer ones:
Campagnolo bottom bracket info
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Last edited by Hudson308; 04-30-14 at 07:02 AM.
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Don't forget the CPSC change! I forget the year but some newer NR/SR cranks take a different spindle because some mandated change.
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Check Sheldon and and oh rats just drew a blank on that great reference site. Here is a quick bit about the spindle/cpsc
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ble-check.html
IMHO if this is keeper that may see serious miles for the cost and headache of finding the correct CampI bb in good shape it may be worth the little money to step up to a Phil.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ble-check.html
IMHO if this is keeper that may see serious miles for the cost and headache of finding the correct CampI bb in good shape it may be worth the little money to step up to a Phil.
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I didn't get any bearings with this. One online source says that some of these shield-stamped spindles take smaller (7/32") bearing balls, instead of the standard 1/4". Is this true? The bearing surface does seem to be raised, with a slight lip where the shaft meets the tapers. If so, my guess is the cups would need to match?
Also, with the 1/4", 11-ball retainer on the C-Record axle (for 3/16" balls), you will be unable to fit the cup over the retainer.
N.B. AFAIK, any Campagnolo BB spindle with a shield logo will be post CPSC, but not all of them are symmetrical.
Last edited by JohnDThompson; 04-30-14 at 07:55 AM.
#8
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Hmm, Sutherlands shows the Croce d'Aune spindles as being for 1/4" balls (and Super Record, C-Record and current (1990+) Record as being 3/16". They could be wrong...
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