Replace bottom bracket axle
05-19-12, 08:12 PM
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Replace bottom bracket axle
Is it possible to replace only the axle and keep the old bottom bracket, going from cottered axle to square or octalink?
I mean, does all the types of axles have the same diameter and will all fit on the same bottom bracket (keeping in mind the lenght) or not?
I mean, does all the types of axles have the same diameter and will all fit on the same bottom bracket (keeping in mind the lenght) or not?
05-19-12, 08:13 PM
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Can't speak for Octa Link, but the cups are "MOST LIKELY" usable with a standard Sq. Taper.
05-19-12, 09:01 PM
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Square taper maybe. It takes a good mechanic, who knows what to measure and has a selection of bottom bracket spindles on hand. Octalink is only available as a cartridge.
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05-19-12, 10:45 PM
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There's a lot of "ifs" in doing your suggested swap: cup thickness, spindle track width, spindle diameter, cup hole diameter, etc. It might work, it might not. It might work initially then fail quickly due to a poor bearing alignment. Only a good mechanic who knows the ins & outs of cup & cone bottom brackets can make the determination.
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05-20-12, 07:33 AM
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I can report one success. We replaced the cottered Stronglight crank on an early 70's Raleigh with a Suguino square taper spindle and SR crank and kept the original Raleigh cups and lockring. Those Raleighs had proprietary threading and replacement cups were not easy to find. As Jeff noted, your experience may vary.
05-20-12, 12:06 PM
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A lot of this would be cleared up if you posted a photo of what you're working on or at least told us the brand of bike you're working on.
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