Symmetrical Campy BB Spindle?
 

While assembling the Campy NR bottom bracket this evening that I bought a year ago on ePay, I found some puzzling features that I'm hoping you guys can clarify. The spindle is marked with the Campy winged shield, along with 70-SSA. It measures 111-113mm long (my apologies for that... I'll get a more precise measurement tomorrow when I have access to my vernier calipers). I believe the "70" indicates an Italian spindle, while the "SS" is for a road double. I haven't found any references that explain the "A". My questions are these:

1) It appears this spindle is symmetrical. There is no measurable difference between the bearing shoulder-to-end length from one side to the other. With these ol' fart eyes I can't see any dimensional difference between the two ends. Is this true?

2) I didn't get any bearings with this. One online source says that some of these shield-stamped spindles take smaller (7/32") bearing balls, instead of the standard 1/4". Is this true? The bearing surface does seem to be raised, with a slight lip where the shaft meets the tapers. If so, my guess is the cups would need to match?

The Italian-threaded cups are standard steel with the media-blasted looking finish and the riflings in the spindle holes. Any insight you guys can give would be a huge help.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=377480http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=377481

According to Sutherlands, a 70-SSA is a Croce d'Aune spindle, and it is indeed symmetrical (30-51.5-30mm), made for use with 1/4" balls, and thick rifled cups. So, wrong spindle for a NR, which would be asymmetrical (31-51.5-33, marked 70-SS normally).

This is a pretty good link for Campy NR/SR stuff, but doesn't cover the newer ones:
http://www.minortriad.com/campagbb.html

Thanks, Pars; I came across that link myself while trying to figure out what I had. The spindle measures 111mm, which may end up being too short for this project anyway. I'll have to check the chain line once I get everything mocked up. I'm not worried about everything being original, but having the chainrings too close will mean I have to go shopping again. That would be a shame, as the bearing surfaces on this one look really nice. :notamused: I suppose I may be able to slip a spacer between the fixed cup and the BB shell.

Don't forget the CPSC change! I forget the year but some newer NR/SR cranks take a different spindle because some mandated change.

Thanks Bianchigirll... I'll research that.

Check Sheldon and and oh rats just drew a blank on that great reference site. Here is a quick bit about the spindle/cpsc

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ble-check.html

IMHO if this is keeper that may see serious miles for the cost and headache of finding the correct CampI bb in good shape it may be worth the little money to step up to a Phil.

Your spindle looks to be a "Croce d'Aune" spindle, as Pars suggests, which is symmetrical and might not work with Record arms designed for asymmetrical spindles. C-Record spindles used 3/16" balls and are not interchangeable with those designed for 1/4" balls. If you have a known spindle for 1/4" balls, you can compare the races; those for 3/16" balls will have a slightly tighter radius than those for 1/4" balls. Otherwise, if you have the 11-ball retainers with 1/4" balls, slipping them on the spindle will show that the retainer will ride slightly higher on the race:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/ss-ssa.jpg

Also, with the 1/4", 11-ball retainer on the C-Record axle (for 3/16" balls), you will be unable to fit the cup over the retainer.

N.B. AFAIK, any Campagnolo BB spindle with a shield logo will be post CPSC, but not all of them are symmetrical.

Hmm, Sutherlands shows the Croce d'Aune spindles as being for 1/4" balls (and Super Record, C-Record and current (1990+) Record as being 3/16". They could be wrong...

No, that's correct.