Hi,

The bottom bracket on my singlespeed/fixed had some play in it, so after tinkering with the lockring a while, I took it apart. I see some marks on both sides of the spindles, and am wondering if it is worn out and needs replacement (pictures are of both sides of the spindle)


Do I need to replace the BB?

Dave

So pitted.

Yes.

Thanks. Now the fun part, I don't have a caliper, but based on a tape measure (not the best, I know)-looks like the spindle width is about 118mm. From looking on retrogression, the most I see is 113mm, which makes me wonder how accurate that measurement is again, but also what sort of things i'd need to do to get a working chainline with the existing crank (a Sugino VP 130).

Dave

"Need to replace" is not an either-or thing.
Yours certainly could do with replacing, or a regrind.
Looking like that, it can't be made to turn smoothly.
OTOH, it'll keep turning.
If there's no other option, it'll remain useful for years. Even If running rough.

If the spindle length isn't stamped/printed on it anywhere, best bet is probably to take to a shop, have them measure and secure a replacement.

Looks like it isn't.. Crap. I was hoping to avoid going to a bike shop with this one. What would be a good brand to get? I hear the Shimano UN55's aren't all that great.

Maybe they can measure the spindle and order it, and I can install the new BB? It looks pretty easy with the new sealed BB's, basically just threading in both sides and torquing. Should I bring the crank in too? I'm hoping that's enough, i'd rather not have to put this thing back together just to bring it to the bike shop.

Dave

Isn't the Sugino VP a road crankset? So your bb spindle might actually be 118mm, to accommodate the extra rings on the drive side. It might also be asymmetric.

Installing a sealed bb is easy, but you will need to buy the right tool that matches your particular bb's end cups.

Dave, I'll be out in your neck of the woods this Saturday morning making a few stops along Roswell Rd.

I have calipers and can bring what tools I have. You are welcome to borrow anything. Just let me know.


-Tim-

The VP130 is a road crankset. I measured 118mm with a tape measure-and yes, it looks like it could have 3 chainrings. Also, one taper is slightly longer than the other. I wonder if I could go with a 113mm, then flip the chainring to the outside of the crank spider, which would move the chainline about 5mm outward.

Dave

Somewhat random observations: Any Sugino JIS 118 axle should keep you in the ballpark you are in now. Sugino made many thousands of them. (But stay away from ISO. JIS and ISO are the tapers for the flats to fit the corresponding flats inside the cranks. JIS is the Japanese standard. ISO European. Campagnolo has a huge in fluence in the track racing scene so Sugino makes it track specific cranksets ISO to be compatible. Sugino 75 especially.)

If you choose to run the old axle again, try marine grease also known as boat trailer hub grease. I cannot explain why but I have successfully used bad cup and cone bearing for years with that stuff, paying zero attention to it.

While you have the BB apart, look the the cups. Are they OK or are they trashed? Typically they outlast the axles but bad axles will eventually take them down. If they are good, getting a new axle is a good move. If they are trashed, think new BB.

Shimano sealed BBs cost about $30, are bombproof, easy to install, are JIS and work well with Sugino cranks.

Ben

Sugino VP 130 was both a road double & a triple - older Jap road cranks generally used 110-118mm BBs for doubles and 118-122mm with triples

So as scoho hinted - your old spindle length may not even be optimal for use with a single ring

Have fun & good luck...

Funny thing about the bearings-as far as I can tell, there is no way to take them out, or to see the races. For instance, on the adjustable cup, there is a metal ring attached to it that holds the bearings in. I would suspect the bearings and races are probably shot since the bb has 7,500 miles on it.

Dave

And you're not talking about the "cage" holding the balls?

It's not the mileage as such. It Depends on how well the bb is sealed, riding conditions etc.
My commuter sees 6000 miles/year. Has more than 30 000 miles on it by now.
Admittedly a cartridge unit of decent quality.
But 7500 miles as such is a survivable mileage.

Here's some background on the bike. I found it on the curb a little over ten years ago. The guy that had it didn't have a garage, and there was a little surface rust, so I think it was kept outside. There's no telling how many miles he put on it.

I want to put a good quality BB in there to replace it, here are the options so far based on a 118mm spindle:

Shimano UN55

https://www.vueltausa.com/components...113-118mm.html

Product Description | Origin8

Are any of these significantly better than the others, and how can you tell? As far as price, the Origin8 costs the most at around $36.

Below is a pic of the adjustable cup.

Dave