I'm rebuilding the bottom bracket in my '80s Raleigh Wyoming. The spindle has some pitting on it, so I'd like to replace it. It is a 3TM, which is not a spindle I can find listed at Sheldon Brown. I can find 3T, but no 3TM for sale. When I measure, I get 52mm middle, 39mm right, 37mm left. Is a 3TM available?


I suppose I could upgrade to cartridge bottom bracket, but I like being able to rebuild these things.

Look for a long 68mm JIS spindle and be sure to account for any offset. There are a lot of spindles made for "square-profile" (not lo-profile) cranks like the AT triple which will have similar dimensions.

A 127.5mm Shimano cartridge bb will be better in every way and will require no maintenance.

If you checked the chainring-to-chainstay clearance before disassembly then you'll know whether a shorter spindle length can be used to improve the chainline, assuming you don't have a preference for using the small-to-small sprocket combinations.

Thanks, I'll look into a 127.5mm Shimano cartridge. I was under the impression they didn't last that long, though. I found a 3T spindle that is 35/52/39 that would probably work fine, so I've got options.

The cable guide is screwed to the bottom bracket, so I'll have to see if the screw sticks up too much.

No, never run small/small. Chain would be dragging on the ground.