Need help choosing the right bottom bracket.
05-22-13 | 01:52 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4
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Need help choosing the right bottom bracket.
need help finding the right bottom bracket for this frame. This bike originally came with a cotter pin bottom bracket and im trying to upgrade to a square taper bottom bracket but i dont know which one to get. I believe its a schwin varsity but im not sure. please help!
heres the bike:
heres the crank ill be using. just a simple single speed crank from ebay
heres the bike:
heres the crank ill be using. just a simple single speed crank from ebay
05-22-13 | 01:59 PM
#2
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
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From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Its not a Varsity, its an early Nishiki, pre 1975. Varsity did not come with a cottered crank. Its good news that it is not a Varsity. Varsity would be more work to convert.
Spindle length is determined by the crank you bought, not the bike it is going on. Suggest you contact the seller. Or play around with various spindle lengths (do you have a co-op nearby?)
Best to buy a crankset with a bottom bracket, its less hassle.
Simple UN26 cartridge bb is a good choice, and only $10 on line.
Spindle length is determined by the crank you bought, not the bike it is going on. Suggest you contact the seller. Or play around with various spindle lengths (do you have a co-op nearby?)
Best to buy a crankset with a bottom bracket, its less hassle.
Simple UN26 cartridge bb is a good choice, and only $10 on line.
05-22-13 | 02:00 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6,970
Likes: 59
From: Catskills/Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: See sig
Hi. Measure the width of the shell where the BB threads in. If it's 68mm, you most likely have an English threaded BB. This is the most common type. If it is a Nishiki this is your threading.
Next you need to determine length. If you want to use that crankset, the manufacturer or velobase might be able to give you the correct length. But realistically, almost any "single speed" BB will probably work. If you get one of these in the 68x110 size it is probably going to be fine. If you have a way to test fit a few sizes, you should do that. A LBS will probably also have what you need and can find the correct size for you. If you want to upgrade slightly you could get one of these. If you don't already have it, you will need this tool to install the BB.
Hope that helps.
Next you need to determine length. If you want to use that crankset, the manufacturer or velobase might be able to give you the correct length. But realistically, almost any "single speed" BB will probably work. If you get one of these in the 68x110 size it is probably going to be fine. If you have a way to test fit a few sizes, you should do that. A LBS will probably also have what you need and can find the correct size for you. If you want to upgrade slightly you could get one of these. If you don't already have it, you will need this tool to install the BB.
Hope that helps.
05-22-13 | 02:04 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
You may want to read this:
https://sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html
https://sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html
05-23-13 | 08:25 PM
#7
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,402
Likes: 5,333
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
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