TA Crank/bottom bracket issues
 

I messed up....I finally installed the bottom bracket (Stronglight) into my Peugeot. I then proceeded to install my TA Pro 5 Vis double cranks. I wasn't paying attention and did not realize the spindle is short by about 2mm's. I also neglected to measure it's overall length (just measured to determine drive side). Then I went to take off the cranks and DOH! Wrong size puller!:mad:
Anyways I'm taking it to the LBS to get the cranks off then I'll start the hunt for the spindle.....
So what brand and length is everyone running? Just a wild guess is 120mm or 122mm or so? Can I use a different brand spindle like Campagnolo in my Stronglight cups? It's an ISO taper right?
Thanks in advance for any advise...
Kelly D

TA's are a bear to get pulled. most shops dont have the right size extractor, and i may be wrong but i think they also have their own taper, and have to ise their BB. i hope im wrong on that part though

My LBS charges $10 to pull a crank. I tinker a lot, so I went ahead and bought the tool.

http://www.velo-orange.com/var393crex.html

The chainline is adjustable and it can be adjusted without pulling the crank if you have the right tools.

http://www.velo-orange.com/edbobr.html

Are you sure you need such a long spindle? A 118mm should be long enough for a double. Did you install it backwards? The 121mm are normally used for triples.

Well.....I had the crankset pulled (For free. Thanks Brian @ Trailside Cycles in Orting WA;)). It's a 118mm.

Thanks Dirtdrop for the link....I might just have to bite the bullet on this one.

I've really tried to build this thing on the cheap but it's not happening:mad:. I got a NOS NR french threaded bottom bracket for next to nothing and decided since it was worth more than the entire build to date that I wouldn't use it. Being a cheapskate I ordered 2 sets of cups which haven't gotten hear yet. I was at a buddies house yesterday swapping freewheels on my wheelset for this build and mentioned my French bike woes and he just gave me a really nice Stronglight BB.....But the spindle is to short. After searching for quite a bit online and calling all the open LBS' in my area (none of which were aware that spindles come in 2 different tapers....what is this world coming to?) I've found nada and am now more confused then ever! All those model numbers tell me nothing!
I'm about to just slap on either my Campy NR's or my TA Tevanos and if I have to...Shim the fixed cup with some Sturmey cog spacers.......But I want it French and would prefer not to use my pricey stuff on what was supposed to be a winter cheapo 650b build:(.
So my TA's are ISO taper right? Anyone know a person or place that has orphan spindles and doesn't want $60+ (Harris) for them?
I'm gonna find that stinkin' spindle or I'm just gonna box the project and move on. I've got a Bianchi that's gathering cobwebs...:cry:

Yup......I measured the ends and put the long side on the drive side. Maybe I better go double check. Stranger things have happened...

I will be interested to know what you find out, as I too have a set of TA Pro-5-Vis cranks that I am yet to mount on a bike. I thought that a Stronglight 118mm would have been long enough, but maybe not? I don't know what the standard spec. was for TA doubles, but surely it can't be any more than 118mm.
I was actually thinking of trying an old Sugino Mighty BB set with my crankset, as I believe they have an ISO taper, but maybe the spindle will be too short as well. We'll see...

I did it.......I took my own advise after my lil rant and went to diggin' in the Sturmey spares box. I found a cog spacer, slapped it on the fixed cup side, tightened it all down and installed the cranks.
Voila! Worked like a charm......
To be clear I'm using Stronglight 49D chainrings on my TA cranks. It was the chainring bolts nicking the chainstay. I only needed a hair to clear it......Might not be an issue with TA rings.

Read this:

http://www.velo-orange.com/pro5viscr.html

Most people will tell you it's ISO taper, but depending on the age of the cranks, that's not necessarily true. TA did switch at some point, my guess in the 90's. Older parts use the Stronglight/TA taper which it turns out from measuring a lot of them is closer to JIS than to ISO. The flat surface on the ISO taper is not long enough for the TA cranks. I have mine on a NOS Stronglight spindle and it fits well. The Gipiemme I have and Campagnolo Nuovo Records were not right. ISO might work fine, I haven't seen other complaints. But in general I have trouble with cranks because I'm 225lbs so if the fit isn't right they creak and eventually die, so now I'm getting really careful about it.

Karl