Apologies...this subject must have been covered already but I do not know where. Trying to fit Stronglight 49d to Campagnolo cups/70mm shell

70mm could be "fun".

So, what is the spindle question?

It sounds like you want to use a Stronglight BB spindle with Campy Italian cups in a 70mm wide BB shell???

Campagnolo and many other brands used 68mm spindles for French and British BBs, 70mm spindles for Italian BBs.

Stronglight and TA used 68mm spindles for all three standards. The Italian cups were 1mm thicker on each side to fit 70mm BBs.


118mm was the standard width axle for Stronglight doubles with 120mm used on some bikes.

It may work but the adjustable cup may go in 2mm too deep leaving insufficient threads for the lockring.

Other problems: the holes in the Campy cups may be too small to clear the end diameters on the Stronglight spindle or too big letting gunk get into the bearings.

Also, the ball tracks may be in different locations between Campy and Stronglight spindles giving improper ball contact angles.



Proper contact angle



Stronglight Italian cups regularly come up on eBay and they are usually not too expensive. There is currently a NOS set for $69.99 but I've seen them for a lot less money. TA cups interchange with Stronglight.

Do you have a Campy spindle and have you tried sliding the 49d arms on?

I did this Flickr album in a hurry back in 2011 but scroll through the pictures and it shows workable and non-workable combination fits. Check my comments below the photos.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57627678462359

verktyg

I have an italian treaded bb, campy. Spindle is 113mm...to narrow for any double. Want 49d so i will try to see what combo works. I will let you know what i come up with. Btw, tried to unscrew campy fixed cup and could not get it out so will leave it and try a stronglight spindle with a) the campy adj cup or b) stronglight adj cup. Thank you for your info...purchased italian stronglight in 118mm size which is what i have in a 68mm shell w/stronglight 49d and that works with maybe 1mm bolt clearence at chainstay. Will let you know.

There were no French, British, or Italian Stronglight BB spindles.



They all had the same center dimensions - 68mm - and ball track distances. The differences were in the cups with Italian cups being 1mm thicker to make up 70mm vs. 68mm.

118mm spindles were standard for double chainrings with all 3 thread standards. Some bikes used 120mm spindles for whatever reason.

If someone called the 118mm spindle that you bought "Italian" they don't know what they're talking about or...BSing.

Good luck with your project.

verktyg

Thank you for all the responses and advice. I tried to research this subject but old school info is challenging. All my stupidness was precipitated by not being able to remove the Campy record fixed cup and refusing to buy another crankset. I read Sheldon Browns' article on fixed cup removal re bolt and nut, turning from the non drive side. Using a 24"(!) breaker bar and 2 minutes of worry it's out. Stronglight bb will be installed

Got 118mm Stronglight bb assembly in italian threading. For some reason driveside arm is a little farther out than non-drive but i won't go ocd about it. Have 118/english on a similiar Torpado and seemed equidistant. 72 Italvega Super Special-new paint, hand built wheels and totally restored. Love it!
Metallic Chestnut with original root beer brown panels. 72 Italvega Super Special

Very nice Italvega Super Speciale build with some interesting customizations! What year is it and do you know the serial number off the BB? Do you have any before pictures and what is the story on how you came upon this bike? Whereabouts are you located?

Are those 35 x 700C tires you’re running? I know the SS fork has plenty of room for bigger tires, I run Compass (now Rene Hersé) Bon Jon Pass 35x700C on Mavic MA-3 rims for Eroica California and general riding.

Hope you have a chance and consider applying some new Italvega decals to represent the brand. I like the classic gold decals from Cyclomondo available direct or via EBay but VeloCal has them too with some additional color choices.

This is a 1972 Italvega Super Speciale. Purchased as a frameset (frame, fork and Campy cable guides) from ebay July 2019, Valencia California seller. Don't think posting a serial number online a good idea, but 4 numbers edge of bb, 3 numbers tang of downtube. I am located in Rochester, New York and cranks are off my 1971 Torpado. Many smaller parts hunted for and purchased from ebay. Doing so has been a problem as items are not always correct ie. keyed washers of brakes and the like. I hand built wheels with nos Normandy front and Helicomatic rear hubs respectively with DB14 Wheelsmith spokes and Velo Orange RAID rims. Frame has been partially repainted, Chestnut metallic, with a clear coat, over silver basecoat; wet sanded between coats. Will afix Columbus, Torresini and Italvega headbadge decals only. I took my time with this restore and I actually ride the bike everyday. No museum pieces. All the patience was rewarded as the bike rides like nothing I have ever had through 15 bikes and

20 years. Bike is not my life cause but Soli deo gloria!

And yes, those are Ritchey SpeedMax in 35mm width. These measure small on my rims and I know the same tire in 40mm size would fit the fork comfortably but would be the limit for the frame.