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Old 08-28-12 | 10:14 PM
  #16  
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DMNHCAGrandPrix
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From: Northern CA
I just looked at this recently myself, when contemplating best way to repair, update, or weatherize a 1977 Campagnolo Gran Sport conventional ball bearing bottom bracket that I found has a heavily pitted and brinneled spindle on the drive side. Although the claims of SKF robustness are intriguing, the cost of the SKF is 3x-4x typical Shimano or Campagnolo cartridge bottom brackets. Even if the SKF unit lasts longer, will it last 3x to 4x longer than the alternatives?

In similar (high) price range, Phil Wood bottom brackets offer a much longer history, great adjustability of chain line, and much wider range of spindle lengths that are available for both ISO and JIS, and in both symmetric and asymmetric configurations.

This link offers a good summary of the classic spindle lengths for older Campagnolo Record, Nuovo Record, Super Record, Gran Sport brackets of the classic and vintage era.http://www.minortriad.com/campagbb.html

Note that none of the the older Campagnolo configurations are well matched by the single 111 mm symmetric ISO spindle available for the SKF unit from Compass Bikes (and none of the older C&V Campagnolo cranksets are listed in the SKF "Compatibility Chart" here:http://www.compasscycle.com/images/skf_bb_chart.pdf

Contrast the limited SKF options for ISO/Campy tapers with the large number of different ISO spindle lengths and offsets that are available in a Phil Wood hub:http://philwood.com/store/page30.html

So although SKF looked intriguing, after looking up the specs I am either going to
1) try to find a replacement Campagnolo GS or Record spindle (68-SS) 114.5 mm long (~ $20-$30)
2) install a Campagnolo Veloce 68 ISO cartridge (available in 115 mm size) (~$30)
3) bite the bullet and go Phil Wood instead of SKF (~$119 cartridge plus $38 adjustable cups)
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