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Bottom bracket spindle question

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Old 12-09-14 | 09:25 PM
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Bottom bracket spindle question

This issue always confuses me. I just got a sweet deal on a super record (so he says) bottom bracket. The spindle is 70 ss 120, will this fit my 80 merckx professional? I plan on using super record cranks. Not sure what other info I need to add.
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Old 12-09-14 | 09:43 PM
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According to Sutherland's, that would be a pre 1978 spindle for use on a 120 rear spacing. Your Merckx is likely 126. You want one that just says 70 SS.

https://www.minortriad.com/campagbb.html

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Old 12-09-14 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by jiangshi
According to Sutherland's, that would be a pre 1978 spindle for use on a 120 rear spacing. Your Merckx is likely 126. You want one that just says 70 SS.

Campagnolo bottom bracket info
You could probably live with the chain line... What is the date code of the drive side crank?
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Old 12-09-14 | 09:54 PM
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Super Record cranks - which year?
Period correct front derailleur, post CPSC w/lip?

If using post '77 cranks and FD, then you want a spindle @ 115.5mm. If you use the shorter pre-CPSC 113mm, then your FD will rub the back of the crank arm. I'm sure you've seen this line across the back of a few.

Actually, is a Merckx a 70mm BB shell width???
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Old 12-09-14 | 10:18 PM
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Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.

Originally Posted by Ex Pres
Super Record cranks - which year?
Period correct front derailleur, post CPSC w/lip?

If using post '77 cranks and FD, then you want a spindle @ 115.5mm. If you use the shorter pre-CPSC 113mm, then your FD will rub the back of the crank arm. I'm sure you've seen this line across the back of a few.

Actually, is a Merckx a 70mm BB shell width???
Yes, the Merckx frames are 70mm, threaded Italian 36mmx24tpi

I don't think that the spindle length or offset will affect the clearance between crankarm and front derailer cage either way.

If the spindle is shortened, the cage moves inward via adjustment, and the crankarm moves inward by a similar amount by default.

Where the CPSC mods affect this clearance, the crankset does need to match the front derailer, since the outer cage plate is thicker so they made the crankarm sit outward from the chainrings to re-establish clearance there.
Only if the older spindle with newer crank causes chainring interference at the chainstay (which it might) does the spindle length need to be increased, otherwise it's better in terms of overall chainline if the spindle is shortened a little. This because the rider often uses all of the cogs while maintaining pace using the big ring, but has no good reason to use the smallest cogs when using the small ring. Small-to-small gear selection causes multiple problems that big-to-big cross-chaining does not.

So in this case, the OP can simply test-fit the parts to see if chainstay-chainring clearance exists, using the parts at hand.
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