Anyone have any experience with this------
 

Has anyone used the VeloOrange french thread bottom bracket that they have for $49. I would prefer to use it rather than laying $150 for the Phil Wood, if you know what I mean. But if it is a piece of cra*, then I will definitely go with the PW.
Thanks.

I'll bet it's halfway between a piece of crap and a Phil Wood.

The V.O. unit hasn't been available long enough to get any kind of track record yet. But V.O. tries not to source junk, and at a C-note less than the Phil unit I'd give it a try.

I'm sure you can expect it to be very good.

I purchased the Grand Cru BB in english threading. Hollow axle and smooth as butter. I would highly recommend it. I imagine the only difference between the two is the threading.

Shin.

well looks like the VO bottom bracket is jesus approved, can they advertise that? *giggle*

"Buddy Christ' gives it the :thumb:

Before spending $50 on a new replacement BB, read some of the threads where others just replaced the spindle. You might just find a $5 spindle and be ready to go (if your cups are good).

I've done that too, with good results:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...g/Flips003.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...g/Flips011.jpg

How do I know what spindle to get and what size?

Well, that's the question isn't it.

The French cups are thinner walled than the Japanese cups from the same time period, so you may need a wider Italian (70mm) axle so your lock ring will have enough bite. Might not. I've done it with an English axle and had just enough threads left for the lock ring.

Then there is the crank and where it will sit on the axle. You will want to try and match the cranks and axles with the same taper, either JIS or ISO. You can mix and match but it will be a little more difficult to get a proper chainline. See here:

http://sheldonbrown.com/bbtaper.html

Check the part about "interchangeability" for a more detailed explanation.

Shin