Bottom bracket width help with Campy cranks.
#1
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From: Estonia
Bikes: HVZ Meteor 1979, HVZ Champion 1962, HVZ SS Moskva80 1981, Dürkopp 1936
Bottom bracket width help with Campy cranks.
Hello
Due to some unfortunate events, im in need of a french thread bottom bracket that fits with my weird setup. I have Campagnolo Record Strada cranks that i use in a track setup, i presume the taper is in the same location as the Pista versions? So i would need 109mm ISO french thread bottom bracket, but the velo orange ones have only JIS ones. Any idea what spindle length would be correct?
My current spindle is some weird soviet standard with soviet tapers and the cups take 6mm ball bearings so i would like to get something thats with sealed bearings.

Due to some unfortunate events, im in need of a french thread bottom bracket that fits with my weird setup. I have Campagnolo Record Strada cranks that i use in a track setup, i presume the taper is in the same location as the Pista versions? So i would need 109mm ISO french thread bottom bracket, but the velo orange ones have only JIS ones. Any idea what spindle length would be correct?
My current spindle is some weird soviet standard with soviet tapers and the cups take 6mm ball bearings so i would like to get something thats with sealed bearings.

#2
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Soviet quality? Sorry, Can't help. There are Campagnolo Track spindles on the bay. You would need cups to go with them and I don't recall if they are thin or thick.
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#3
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I would say find a 110 ISO old phil bottom bracket then order some French cups for it.
You could use the VO JIS BB and just use it on the Campy arms. Its been done in the past without issue... You just have to remember to always use the JIS spindle on them going forward and check and watch them for the first year for any looseness.
You could use the VO JIS BB and just use it on the Campy arms. Its been done in the past without issue... You just have to remember to always use the JIS spindle on them going forward and check and watch them for the first year for any looseness.
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#4
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From: Estonia
Bikes: HVZ Meteor 1979, HVZ Champion 1962, HVZ SS Moskva80 1981, Dürkopp 1936
Campy stuff on Ebay is a bit out of my budget sadly.
I would say find a 110 ISO old phil bottom bracket then order some French cups for it.
You could use the VO JIS BB and just use it on the Campy arms. Its been done in the past without issue... You just have to remember to always use the JIS spindle on them going forward and check and watch them for the first year for any looseness.
You could use the VO JIS BB and just use it on the Campy arms. Its been done in the past without issue... You just have to remember to always use the JIS spindle on them going forward and check and watch them for the first year for any looseness.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Last edited by geeteeiii; 09-27-21 at 02:06 PM. Reason: typo
#5
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I think the taper being 100% correct is long gone with these cranks being mounted on that soviet spindle. I found something cheaper than velo orange with french thread, but still JIS. As i read from Sheldon Brown on ISO vs JIS tapers, i needed to compensate abit on the taper length difference, so i ordered a 107mm one, lets hope it fits and i get a good chainline, it was abit off before anyway.
Thanks for the suggestions.
While you're here, pics of your 1936 bike would be cool to see.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
#6
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From: Estonia
Bikes: HVZ Meteor 1979, HVZ Champion 1962, HVZ SS Moskva80 1981, Dürkopp 1936
Yes, the Soviet taper is a wild card in this. I think maybe you chose wisely, erring a little on the short side for your new spindle. Keep an eye out here as French thread cups come up in the sales thread at reasonable prices from time to time. C-Record road, double spindles came in 109 and 111 mm if you're shopping for replacements for Campy cups at any time. There are also threadless bottom bracket options out there.
While you're here, pics of your 1936 bike would be cool to see.
While you're here, pics of your 1936 bike would be cool to see.
You can find some pictures here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-duerkopp.html
#7
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Small thing: is the crank designed for a symmetrical spindle? If you find the drive side arm is further in, you could happily put some spacers behind the DS bottom bracket flange to mimic an asymetrical spindle. I think campy had a lot of asymetrical bbs.
#8
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Phil Wood, Velo-Orange, and IRD all offer French thread cartridge bottom brackets in a range of spindle lengths. I suspect the hardest part will be shipping to Estonia. SKF also has a French thread cartridge bottom bracket, made in Germany, so might be easier to source for you.
#9
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I have recently been chasing this problem and ordered a Threadless Bottom Bracket. This one is 119mm for a double crank. You probably need a 110mm. It has not come in yet so it's not proven...
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#10
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Velo-Orange UK eBay has French Threaded BB’s 110mm length:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Velo-Orange...-127635-2958-0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Velo-Orange...-127635-2958-0
Last edited by 1 Lugnut; 09-28-21 at 12:54 PM.
#11
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From: Estonia
Bikes: HVZ Meteor 1979, HVZ Champion 1962, HVZ SS Moskva80 1981, Dürkopp 1936
Well, it fits quite nicely, 107mm JIS spindle has a pretty decent chainline with Campy cranks. Guess this info should also apply to other french threaded track setups? The brand what i got was Neco, hopefully it lasts.




