Confusion Shimano Octalink V1 and V@ with Ritchey Cranks
 

Ok I am a little confused and need a little help. I am rebuilding a mid 80's Pinarello CX bike with Italian BB threading. I have found a BB. It is a Shimano Octalink V2 with the 9MM spline grooves. I ordered a Ritchey crank that is octalink compatable. However it does not say V1 or V2 - does it matter? Are V1 and V2 crank compatablity interchangable?

no...
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#octalink

in the image it looks like it would fit, but it doesn't, check the compatibility chart.
Ask the people you ordered the crank from to find out if it is a v1 or v2. Wouldn't that be easier?

The Ritchey "compact double" cranks we sell are V1.

If it doesn't say, that's probably 'cause the instructions were sent to the printer before V2 came along.

Sheldon "Ex-spline-ation" Brown
(I'm particularly proud of this image. Actually, it is a composite...originally I didn't have ISIS in it, that was photographed on a separate occasion and then Photoshopped in.)

Base on the photos it looks like:

A V1 crank (105, Ultegra, XTR) would fit in a V2 spindle. It wouldn't go all the way down the splines but would go as far as it does on a V1 and should be secure.

A V2 crank (XT, LX, etc.) would NOT work on a V1 spindle as the splines aren't long enough to allow the crank arms to seat fully.

Is this correct?

I do not think that you want to match V1 and V2 parts together. Thery are ment to bottom on the "ledge" at the base of the splines. If you do get a safe seat, it will not be at a specified length as with most BB/Crank setups.

OK, I wasn't sure if they bottomed at the base of the splines or on a ledge at the front face of the crank arms. If they stop at the base of the splines they are really incompatible.

I don't think so. I believe the splines on the V2 spindle are a skosh wider than those of the V1.

Sheldon "Not Likely" Brown