Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)
-   -   Replacement for shimano ff system (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/939352-replacement-shimano-ff-system.html)

Tracy94 03-21-14 12:41 PM

Replacement for shimano ff system
 
Would anyone know a replacement BB to replace a shimano ff system BB, I also want a square tapered one so I can up grade the cranks from shimano selecta type.

Mr IGH 03-21-14 01:49 PM

Another Post on Bottom Bracket Conversion

oddjob2 03-21-14 03:05 PM

Since the FFS is heavy and typically found on gas pipe frames, unless you have sentimental attachment, I'd suggest you consider a whole new bike. The proceeds from the FFS bike and savings from not buying those components could get you to a new used mount. One Florida member just sold a Panasonic FFS for mid $100s.

Tracy94 03-21-14 03:09 PM

What is ment by gas pipe frame ?

michael k 03-21-14 03:16 PM

A derogartory term used to describe inexpensive yet strong and heavier tubing often used on cheaper model bikes

Tracy94 03-21-14 03:16 PM

By replacement I mean something to go in instead of it. Would a different BB cost so much that I'd be better off getting a whole new bike ?

Tracy94 03-21-14 03:27 PM

Ah ok, what would be considered a heavy road bike ? I'll weigh mine now

Mr IGH 03-21-14 03:29 PM

Lots of bike snobs don't like bikes with big bottom brackets so they call them "gas pipe" to let you know they hate your bike.

If you like your bike, it's worth doing and it's cheaper than a new bike. An adapter is ~$15, a sealed bb is ~$15. If you have a set of square taper cranks laying around it's a low cost upgrade. I've done it to a few sweet vintage Super Sports and they're being loved and ridden decades later....

sailorbenjamin 03-21-14 03:45 PM

Is yours a 3 piece or a one piece crank at the moment? The 3 piece is pretty common (the English/Japanese size) and if you get a mountain bike out of a dumpster, you can have a triple crank to go with it. The one piece (Ashtabula) is also pretty easy to come by and can be found on a cheap dumpster mountain bike, maybe with a triple.
Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary Bo--Bz

Tracy94 03-21-14 04:11 PM

It's a three peace, ok that dosnt sound too bad I'll try put up pics if the bike soon. I do like it, it runs nice

Tracy94 03-21-14 04:12 PM

It dosnt look nice at the moment haha hopefully it'll be sprayed soonish

Tracy94 03-21-14 04:22 PM

The bike is 23lbs as it stands now

Mr IGH 03-21-14 05:06 PM

Tracy94, I saw your other thread. Please post a picture of the bottom bracket shell, it doesn't look like the larger BMX style I'd expect to see on a FF system.

Tracy94 03-21-14 06:54 PM

I will when I'm at the laptop top. It's not possible to from an iphone I don't think

auchencrow 03-21-14 07:16 PM


Originally Posted by Mr IGH (Post 16599589)
Tracy94, I saw your other thread. Please post a picture of the bottom bracket shell, it doesn't look like the larger BMX style I'd expect to see on a FF system.

I suspect he has English 1.370" cups. If so, it wouldn't be hard to find an appropriate sq taper spindle and cups for it.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...p;d=1395420166

oddjob2 03-22-14 01:22 AM

I had a Panasonic Villager with FFS, IIRC the BB shell was unthreaded. Otherwise, i would have kept the frame and installed JIS cups.

oddjob2 03-22-14 01:32 AM

I had a Panasonic Villager with FFS, IIRC the BB shell was unthreaded. Otherwise, i would have kept the frame and installed JIS cups.

So the OP would be looking at $50 for the truvativ adapter and cartridge BB, plus $30 or more for an SS crank, plus $20 for non mtb pedals, plus BBT tool at $20. IMHO, $120 total is not low cost, just $25 more than a Brooks B-17!

Italuminium 03-22-14 02:23 AM

Well, if it runs nice... Why not just service it? The problem with these bikes is that nobody ever does periodic maintenance of basic bikes, thus making second hand bikes like that always a gamble. If yours is still in good nick, you can just regrease the bearings as the powers that be at Shimano intended. A well greased bike used for around town trips can and will outlast the owner.

auchencrow 03-22-14 07:25 AM


Originally Posted by wrk101 (Post 16600695)
Like OJ, I had a Panasonic Villager and was surprised to find the BB was not threaded at all. At that point, the cost to upgrade the crankset became too high to justify. I had planned to make a simple SS out of it.

If it is an American bb diameter than a Truvativ would be a way to go.
- But if it is an English bb diameter as I suspect it is (and no more than 71mm (Raleigh) wide, then VO's Grand Cru threadless bb would be the way I would proceed. However - OJ's point that this is only about half of the total cost is right-on, regardless. :(

JohnDThompson 03-22-14 09:22 AM

It could well be that the OP's bottom bracket is standard English thread, in which case using a standard traditional or cartridge bottom bracket would be trivial. Shimano Front-Freewheel bottom brackets came in English thread:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/shimano-ffw-bb.jpg

Ankheg 03-22-14 09:56 AM


Originally Posted by oddjob2 (Post 16600453)
So the OP would be looking at $50 for the truvativ adapter and cartridge BB, plus $30 or more for an SS crank, plus $20 for non mtb pedals, plus BBT tool at $20. IMHO, $120 total is not low cost, just $25 more than a Brooks B-17!

Plus a freewheel that actually freewheels, and the kind of obscure old-style Shimano freewheel removal tool to get the old one off, and new derailleurs, cables, and levers. (Or don't all FFS bikes have Positron deraulleurs?)

I like my 40lb Suburban, but replacing the FFS on it would ultimately cost more than an used Raleigh Sprite.

Grand Bois 03-22-14 10:07 AM


Originally Posted by Italuminium (Post 16600470)
Well, if it runs nice... Why not just service it? The problem with these bikes is that nobody ever does periodic maintenance of basic bikes, thus making second hand bikes like that always a gamble. If yours is still in good nick, you can just regrease the bearings as the powers that be at Shimano intended. A well greased bike used for around town trips can and will outlast the owner.

Take a close look at the picture above. The only thing that keeps the crank from freewheeling is a zip tie. Keeping the freewheeling crank is not an option.

sailorbenjamin 03-22-14 10:56 AM


Originally Posted by wrk101 (Post 16600695)
Like OJ, I had a Panasonic Villager and was surprised to find the BB was not threaded at all.

I'd never run across that. That would be a pain.
Are there any cranks that would just fit the FFS spindle?

oddjob2 03-22-14 11:10 AM


Originally Posted by sailorbenjamin (Post 16601194)
I'd never run across that. That would be a pain.
Are there any cranks that would just fit the FFS spindle?

No, it is a Rube Goldberg engineering design.

Italuminium 03-22-14 03:32 PM


Originally Posted by Grand Bois (Post 16601089)
Take a close look at the picture above. The only thing that keeps the crank from freewheeling is a zip tie. Keeping the freewheeling crank is not an option.

What's the exact harm in having two freewheels in tandem, besides looking like ****? I noticed it, but in a previous thread the owner was talking about a flip flop hub. Also, it's much cheaper to swap out the rear freewheel for a 10$ track cog.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:31 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.