MB bottom bracket continued.
11-09-08 | 11:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Bikes: 1975 Motobécane Grand Touring
MB bottom bracket continued.
So, I am looking for a bottom bracket axle to use with my existing cups.
It would be nice to find a used TA or Stronglight, but they don't seem to be too common eBay.
So, I was considering a Campy since they have the ISO square tapered ends that I need. Except that pre 78 spindles are slightly smaller, but things can be shimmed if necessary.
IIUC, I would either need a Campy for 68mm with thin cups or a 70mm for standard cups (giving 1mm more offset when used with 68mm thin cups).. I need an axle with a 132mm effective length -- actual length being the effective length - 2 x the offset.
And now the trouble starts. IIUC, an axle marked 68-SS-120 is NOT 120mm long. What am I missing here? Is there a site that can decode this?
However, I have some question as to whether Campy made a long enough axle.
It would be nice to find a used TA or Stronglight, but they don't seem to be too common eBay.
So, I was considering a Campy since they have the ISO square tapered ends that I need. Except that pre 78 spindles are slightly smaller, but things can be shimmed if necessary.
IIUC, I would either need a Campy for 68mm with thin cups or a 70mm for standard cups (giving 1mm more offset when used with 68mm thin cups).. I need an axle with a 132mm effective length -- actual length being the effective length - 2 x the offset.
And now the trouble starts. IIUC, an axle marked 68-SS-120 is NOT 120mm long. What am I missing here? Is there a site that can decode this?
However, I have some question as to whether Campy made a long enough axle.
11-10-08 | 08:51 AM
#2
The 120 measurement is the OLD.
11-10-08 | 12:19 PM
#3
Old Skeptic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 9
From: New Mexico, USA
Bikes: 19 road bikes & 1 Track bike
Your target axle would be a Stronglight "125" axle for a model 99 Triple crankset. Dimensions are:
Your closest Campagnolo axles would be:
...a "Record"... ITALIAN Triple... from post-1977 to early 1980s.
It would be marked 70-SS-120 X3 (+1.0 +1.5) or simply 70-SS-X3... Dimensions are:
The TA Professional 5-vis "Cyclotourist" triple touring cranksets were made for 50+ years, always used the same axles, and millions were made. So these may be your best bet, or most likely find.
30.25 mm Left - 56 mm Center - 39.25 mm Right [for an actual length of 125.5 mm]
The Specialites TA #374 triple axle is close: 26.25 left - 56 center - 39.25 right
So, only the left side crank arm would be drawn 4 mm closer to the BB cup - which should be fine so long as your crank arm tapers are not excessively worn.Your closest Campagnolo axles would be:
...a "Record"... ITALIAN Triple... from post-1977 to early 1980s.
It would be marked 70-SS-120 X3 (+1.0 +1.5) or simply 70-SS-X3... Dimensions are:
28 left - 56 center - 38 right
... a post-1977 "Gran Sport" triple axle (with a black Oxide finish), also Italian and marked 70-SS-X3 - dimensions:30 left - 56 center - 38 right
However, Campy triple axles are SUPER rare, were made only for the very rare Campy Triple cranksets which were produced in fairly low quantities and now replacement axles are in ever increasing demand and continually sought. When/if they are found, they are either in very bad condition or you better have a lot of cash on hand. Remember too, Campagnolo Never made triple axles for their thicker NR cup sets, only for the thin walled Record cups. So if you have thick walled Sugino copies of Campy's Nuovo Record cups... yer outta luck. The TA Professional 5-vis "Cyclotourist" triple touring cranksets were made for 50+ years, always used the same axles, and millions were made. So these may be your best bet, or most likely find.
11-11-08 | 12:50 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Bikes: 1975 Motobécane Grand Touring
Thanks for the information. I had already determined from what I found on the web that the Stronglight 65 or the TA 374 spindle would be the ideal solution. However, the source I found indicated that the TA had a shorter right side than the Stronglight. So, it is good to know that they are the same in that dimension.
I had found Campy 70-SS-120 spindles that weren't x3 for reasonable prices, but you are correct that the x3's are pricey. Actually not that expensive when you consider that new TA 374's are available for $80 (ouch).
I found this Campy:
https://www.ochsnerusa-store.com/prod...rod=CA-7281333
for $32 but it is non-Record. Would it work?
I had found Campy 70-SS-120 spindles that weren't x3 for reasonable prices, but you are correct that the x3's are pricey. Actually not that expensive when you consider that new TA 374's are available for $80 (ouch).
I found this Campy:
https://www.ochsnerusa-store.com/prod...rod=CA-7281333
for $32 but it is non-Record. Would it work?
