I'm trying to rebuild a bike using most of the parts on my current one, but swapping out the frame (since I hate its shape & riding position) and 650 wheelset for 700s.

This weekend I bought a cheap Nishiki with a frame I really liked, hoping that I could transfer most parts. BOY am I schooled. Nope nope nope says the LBS. I have a Campy Veloce BB and shifters. So I'm wondering how to go about finding a 48-50cm frame that will more likely fit the gear I already have?

(the bike I have now was someone else's semicustom build Rodriguez - super shiny but I want to change it up - I would rather find a simple stock frame to build it up... any thoughts? am I nuts?)

I assume the Nishiki has a standard English threaded bottom bracket shell and your Campy bb is Italian threaded as that's the only reason it wouldn't fit. Apparently you need an italian threaded frame and these aren't all that common, particularly at low cost. Try to find an old Bianchi from before they went to English threads. Otherwise find an English threaded bb for your crank.

Have you verified that your bb is indeed Italian? Just because it's Campy doesn't mean it has Italian threading. Rodriguez will build almost anything someone wants but I would think they would prefer a British BB just for simplicity and reliability. On the other hand, if you like the Nishiki frame it's a lot easier and cheaper to just get an English BB and go from there.

Bottom brackets are pretty cheap. get a new one that fits the frame and that will work with the current crankset. I wouldn't not use a frame just because of the bottom bracket size. What else is the LBS saying wouldn't work?

I would guess that Rodriguez frames use English bb's considering they are an American made frame. I remember reading that they prefer to equip bikes with Campy, but again, I would expect the bb threading to be English, like the Nishiki.

Campagnolo makes several types and sizes of bottom brackets. Whether or not your BB will work on a frame depends on which BB and which frame you have.

This seems like the best advice. I poked around on eBay for Bianchi frames. I suspect that finding the perfect old Italian frame for a short-ish girl could become a consuming hobby in its own right. and may yet still.

Then I spent some hours wrapping my brain around this article. hoooboy.

this is the crankset on the bike: https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...t.aspx?sc=FRGL

I found someone selling Campy-spindled bottom brackets in ISO threading and shell size; is that what you're talking about? https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...m+Bracket.aspx

what I've learned over the last 4 hours suggests that the 68mm ISO version of a Campy BB will be the missing link to get these cranks on that frame (which length, i'd need to measure my existing BB) -- does that sound sane?

I really appreciate all this help!!

Jenson says Spindle Length: 111, 115.5 mm(170mm), 111,116 mm(175mm)... so if you get the 170 mm cranks u need the 111 length BB.

Whats the reason the LBS said no to use your BB??? Japanese frames almost all the time come with an english BB shell, is your veloce bb english or italian threaded? is just a thing of reading what it says, second thing is that those veloce BB as the one u have generaly come in 111 mm. Maybe the guys did not have the tool to put the BB in place********** Veloce uses a special tool because the notches arent squared, are knd'a crescent shaped.

Just got both bikes back, with more explanation than the guy would give me over the phone.

1st thing was the bottom bracket. Figured that'd be a problem. I figure I'll have to get an English-threaded BB to proceed with this project almost no matter what.

Second thing apparently was the rear wheel spacing. The Nishiki is a 10-speed and he says there's no room for a Campy 9 cluster.

Third thing was the wheel size - I figured I'd probably have to change out the wheels to get a Campy hub in back, but didn't realize the bike isn't designed for 700s - but 27x1-1/4s - I am clearly no expert here, but building a custom 27" wheelset with a Campy hub to put on a supercheap slightly rusty Taiwanese frame just sounds like a fool's errand to me. *doh*

Sooooo I am left wondering whether the "keep the Campy parts!" idea is even worthwhile... I'm sure I can find a frame that'll accept an English Campy bottom bracket but not sure about finding wheels that fit the cassette. (for less than like $1000) I mean, this is a road/commuter/do-whatever bike. I'm not racing it or anything. Confused now.

You already have that in your Nishiki frame, most likely. English thread is English thread, there's no difference whether it's a Campy bottom bracket or not. Whether or not it's prudent to continue with the project is debatable for other reasons of course, but the bottom bracket threading is almost certainly the same for your Rodriguez frame and your Nishiki frame.

Just so you know, if you do find a genuine Italian frame (as in made in Italy) it will almost certainly have Italian bottom bracket threading.

It sounds like there are a lot more mis-matches than just the bottom bracket issue so it would be worthwhile to keep looking for a more modern suitable size frame with the proper dropout spacing and set up for 700c wheels. Enjoy the search. Maybe a WTB (Want to Buy) listing on Craigs List or posted at a couple of local bike shops will turn up something suitable.

Which size of frame are u looking for? Have two new italian steel frames moving around .

Italian the right side is right hand threaded, 36mm,
French is also RH thread but 35mm