French Bottom Bracket
 

Hi all,

I have a friend of a friend with an early '70s Motobecane Grand Jubile to sell. It's pretty sweet - I'm gonna buy it.

My question is this - I want to put a triple on it - is the BB going to be a hassle? Phil Wood list "french" BB rings - that would work with this frame, right?

Thanks,

Chris

Velo Orange sells a 121mm Edco bottom bracket that might work for you. I'm using it on a Peugeot with a Campagnolo Record triple. Are you sure your bottom bracket isn't Swiss?

I *think* it's French threading. Perhaps somebody could confirm/clarify? I haven't had a chance to take my micrometer and thread gauge to it.....

A Phil BB would work for you, yes, whether it's French or Swiss.

The fixed cup on a Swiss BB is left threaded.

If money is no object, by all means get a Phil Wood.

OK, excellent. French is right-threaded on both sides, right?

I haven't actually seen the frame yet. I know what it should look like - drop-dead gorgeous - and it is reputed to be in excellent shape. Excellent condition on a 30+ year old bike is subjective but as long as it's not super rusty I can work with it.....

Thanks,

Chris

Let's clarify... is this a frame or full bike? If it is a frame, does it come with the bottom bracket? If so, you may just need to replace the spindle.

It's kinda a partial bike, I think. I've been told it's in excellent shape but missing some parts. I really just want the frame, but we'll see what parts are still good on it. I guess you're right, just a longer spindle would work.......that's another question, however - I've never bought just a spindle. Does Harris have them? Or?

THanks,

Chris

I reckon a correct triple-length spindle to replace a FR spindle on a double might be as hard or harder to find than a complete BB unit: the tricky part is getting one with both the correct length to work with whatever crank you'll be using as well as having the internal spacing between the races to work with your FR cups. Personally, I'd say this is one where just buying the high-priced unit from Phil Wood makes perfect sense: you'll find something that fits and it will last.

Why not the Edco for nearly half the price of the Phil Wood? It's a beautiful piece and it has the same chainline adjustability as the Phil.

dirtdrop,
that edco bb looks beautiful. i assume the taper is ISO if you're running it on campy cranks?

gv27,
are you in green mountain... falls? if you are, you could head down to the bicycle experience here in the springs. they're on s. tejon and navajo, just north of bristol brewery. they have a pretty much all of brian's bikes old stock... i'm sure they would have just a spindle for you.

no reason whatsoever, just that you had already noted it. Since I'm repeating info: I completely agree, EDCO made some beautiful stuff and as long as the length (121) and taper (ISO) work with your crank and chainline, go for the EDCO :thumb:

Yeah, I'll check out EDCO for sure - that sounds good. Haven't picked a crank yet but obviously Campy would be appropriate for this bike. I narrowly missed out on a Nuovo Record triple on Ebay a few years back. Maybe I could come across another....

isotopesope - thanks for the tip. Green Mountain isn't officially a city just a community. Officially in Lakewood but everyone in my neighborhood tells folks "Green Mountain". Not too far down to the Springs though. Thinking in that direction, I bet Vecchio's up in Boulder might have something. We'll have to see what's on the frame now....

Thanks,

Chris

fwiw- 60K+ smooth spinning, trouble-free miles on my edco comp btm bkt and it appears to have many thousands more to go.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...icsnvid327.jpg

Have they unpacked yet? I stopped in a couple of times a week or so ago and they said everything was still in boxes in the garage. Should be lot's of goodies though.

yellowjersey.org also has loads of spindles and helpful folks. If you have the french cups, that would be much cheaper.

Have you double checked the treading... not entirely sure but from what I have heard it should be Swiss not French threading.