How to determine correct size for bottom bracket spindle?
 

I am starting to build up a frame. The frame did not come with a BB installed so I need to figure out sizing. The shell width is 68 mm. I see brackets spindle sizes come in 110, 115 etc.

I am planning to use a Campagnolo double ring crank. Any advice on how to select correct spindle length?

Check out Sheldon Brown's site for his charts on spindle sizes per brand of cranks...
Spindle sizes can range from something like 101mm to 130mm or even longer.... it all depends on what crank you are using, with the BB as different brand have different chainring offsets. Taper standards will need to be considered too (JIS or ISO and maybe some proprietary tapers from smaller or obscure brands). I think most or all Campy cranks are ISO.

Chombi

best way i've learned through studying here in the forum is:
1. identify the crankset to the model name / year level (esp. important to Campy cranks)
2. go to velobase.com and check out corresponding 'crank' page to find out right spindle length.

This should help.

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...to26231091.jpg

Excellent Michael Angelo! Thanks, this is exactly what I need.

If it were me I'd google a spec sheet on the crank set or Campagnolo bottom brackets. For example:

centaur - veloce - mirage - sc-s bottom brackets
-axle length: 115.5 mm
-for triple crankset: Centaur 9s/10s - Veloce 9s/10s - Mirage 9s - Xenon 9s
- COMP TRIPLE 10s - RACE TRIPLE 10s - CHAMP TRIPLE 9s

and more specs for Record, Chorus etc including axle length are in Camp Bottom Bracket spec sheet http://www.campagnolo.com/repository...cket-06-06.pdf

That diagram is for Campagnolo Nuovo/Super Record era cranksets. If you using a different brand you need to have a BB and spindle that goes with the crank.

The measurements for Victory/C-Rec were different and the from Chorus on the spindles started getting shorter and also symetrical.

To beat a dead horse unlike a HS which only cares about the diameter of the headtube/steerer the BB has to be the same model or made to that models demensions.

Just what kind of cranks were you planning to use?

I am going to use a Campagnolo double Record (not Nouvo) crankset. I was thinking about getting the Campagnolo Veloce 68 - 111 bottom bracket. It also comes in a 68 - 115 size.

The chart tells me that a 115mm spindle is to be used for a triple crank or cross setup - is that correct?

It'll help to know what model of crankset you have. If it's vintage, like a Record from the classic era with a 151 or 144 mm bcd, you need to use the chart that Michael Angelo posted. But it doesn't work for teh later Campy doubles. Those were set up (designed) for Campy cartrige BBs, and the best way to find the right solutions is to find the model of the crankset and then to use the archived Campy literature at www.campagnolo.com. Then depending on what you can afford and can find, buy.

It may sound complex, but much less so than matching available spindles to an oddball French or Japanese vintage one. For that you have to do math.

Thanks to all who responded. I will go to the campagnolo.com web site as suggested and do the correct match.

Amen, brother.

The post-Nuovo/Super Record cranksets (not including C-record) take a 102 mm BB. That's the length for both Italian and English cups. There is a Record 111 Assymmetrical for Record Triples. The Veloce 111 BB will fit the spindle end of your Record, but the spindles will be a little too long, by about 4.5 mm on each side. The 115.5 is for some triples but not all of them.

So the affordable Veloce 111 will function for your bike with a modern Record Double, but the Q of the crank will be 9 mm larger, the chainline will have a 4.5 mm plus/minus too wide positioning, and it could look "stuck out" too far. If those things are ok, go for the Veloce 111.

I did the research for a C-Record once, if that's what you are using. They use a 111 cup/ball/spindle BB, if I recall, and can work (actually work quite well) with on older one called the AC-H 111. I'm pretty sure the AC-H 111 has the same length and offsets (length on each side) as the Veloce 111. There's also a Centaur 111 that matches the Veloce 111.

And what did the spindle-babe tell you?

I think 115 'cross spindle would only be a for a single ring and an inner and outer ring guard. a NR/SR era crank seems to require a 124 for a triple.

Also a NR/SR era crank needs a spinle that is longer on the drive side than the nondrive side.

do you have pics of your crank for positive ID? There is also a difference in spindle length on later production NR/SR type cranks.