Greetings C&V,

I have two similar cranksets (Stronglight 49D, Specialities T.A. Cyclotouriste (both doubles)) sitting in my parts bin that I'd finally like to use on a Gazelle Champion Mondial A-Frame that I am building up.

However, the main issue has always been finding either a.) a modern cartridge bottom bracket that would work with either crankset, which were originally designed for asymmetric spindles, or b.) definitive information, either on this forum or elsewhere online, regarding correct spindle length for a double crankset, should I decide to try and source a vintage/NOS BB.

Over the years, I have seen many users post pictures of their bikes here utilizing both of these cranksets, some even with fairly modern(-ish) builds. My question to you is: how have you addressed the spindle length issue? Is there there something that I am missing here? Maybe a modern BB intended for a triple crankset? A spacer inserted behind the driveside BB cup and the frame?

My attempts to make these cranksets work have been unsuccessful - either the drive side is too close to the BB shell/chainstay, or the ND side is much too asymmetrically offset compared to the driveside.

Ideally, I want to achieve a set up where I have a good chainline and both crank arms are symmetrical relative to the frame.

Any and all ideas/solutions/info would be appreciated!