Bottom Bracket help
#1
Bottom Bracket help
I have a french bike and i need the bottom bracket for it. I saw a french bracket online that i think would work but i looked at the bracket and on the left side it is closed of with a square opening. i am not sure what kind of bracket im looking for now
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Assuming you do in fact have a French - 35x1- bottom bracket, than you need to replace it with a 35x1 BB. But not all bikes made in France have French thread BBs. It's entirely possible that your bike has an ISO BB, especially if it's of fairly recent production, so I suggest that you start out by verifying what's in there right now.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#3
If it does end up being french BB, Velo-Orange sells them.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
You need to clarify what you mean by a French bike, do you mean an old one which has a French BB (like the suggestions above), or a new one, from a French brand, like LOOK, TIME etc which will have a normal English BB
#5
Thrifty Bill

Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Assuming you do in fact have a French - 35x1- bottom bracket, than you need to replace it with a 35x1 BB. But not all bikes made in France have French thread BBs. It's entirely possible that your bike has an ISO BB, especially if it's of fairly recent production, so I suggest that you start out by verifying what's in there right now.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
+1 on taking it to a bike shop to determine exactly what you have. Your comment about the "square opening" is puzzling. Are you looking at the end of the spindle?
#7
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Or even Swiss, as found on some Motobeacane and Peugeot models.
#8
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
I took the liberty of editing your comment. Only older bike of these makes will be French or Swiss threaded. Anything with these names from fairly recent times (like in the past 10 or more years) will be English threaded. Also, the Motobeacane name was bought by and is now just a house-brand of Bikes Direct and is not French at all.
#9
While I'm a big DIY proponent, if unsure about what part you need, LBS service might be cheaper in the long run -- if they order a part that doesn't fit, it's on them; if you order a part that doesn't fit, might be at the very least a restocking fee.
Figure out if you want to pay for your education or lean on the expertise of others...
Figure out if you want to pay for your education or lean on the expertise of others...
#10
Really Old Senior Member


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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3






