famous amos

Onto my second conversion in recent months and ive reached a snag. Previously, a bottom bracket was never a real problem, yet now with my mid 80s Univega, im at a loss as to sizing. The bottom bracket reads as follows:

3S
83-K

What the *&%^ does that mean? Will a regular old 68mm fit it or am I in need of something special? Any help is appreciated as I am in the dark in this respect.

famous amos

Anybody??

thequickfix

I doubt that code has anything to do with the shell or spindle width.

Your frame likely takes an English bottom bracket. The spindle length and crank interface will depend upon the cranks you plan to use.

operator

< 2 hour after initial post bumping = you do not deserve an answer

famous amos

Ouch, i'm sorry i didn't know the accepted time limit. I'm just trying to get this figured out. Thanks for the help, I plan on just using the original cranks. Would this narrow down my field of usable bbs by longer spindle size or what? Sorry to keep asking but any help is appreciated.

Mumbles44

I believe 68 is just the width of the BB shell, which you can easily measure
https://www.nashbar.com/tech/sizebike.cfm#2

as for "3S," Sheldon may have something for you: https://sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

thequickfix

Wow, Sheldon has the answer. I stand corrected, the "3S" tells you everything you need to know.

Why wouldn't they just stamp the shell width & spindle length instead of a cryptic code?

famous amos

Thanks for all the help.