I've done some research and I've learned that when a "Shimano 600" crankset is combined with a 107mm BB you'll get a near to perfect 42mm chainline.

The only problem is, I'm not sure what a Shimano 600 crankset is. No online stores stock them. Is it an old discontinued part or do they still make them under another name?

it is an older crankset I found mine on ebay for around 30$ shipped

They are talking about these:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-600-Cran...QQcmdZViewItem

Pre-Ultegra. Relatively good quality. Much better deal than a Sugino RD.

I got mine for $15 on eBay as well. They clean up really nice.



And here they are on the bike.

huh, those are nice. so there isn't a modern equivalent?

yeah, I'm gonna be keeping an eye out now. i'd like to get my hands on some for sure.

Dude, I just said they're pre-Ultegra. Today's equivalent is Ultegra, which is one step below Dura Ace on the Shimano line, therefore 2nd best. So Shimano 600 was some pretty good stuff.

can they be found in sizes smaller than 170mm? i found a set for sale on ebay express. they're a little expensive considering you all found them for around 30 dollars. i'll pass on them for a 165 set if those actually exist.

dude, ... please pardon.

i'm mostly concerned with the chainline they'll give me so i don't want to waste money buying a new set of ultegra cranks if they're not gonna get me that 42mm chainline w/ an easy to find/cheap 107mm bb.

Current ultegra cranks have an integrated BB, previous ones had an octalink BB, the ones before that were not as nice as the 600's and I believe also gave a different chainline.

You are looking 4 generations of cranks back.... and they were pretty nice. I had some on an old bike and polished them like the ones pictured. I only remember them comming in 170 but could be wrong. Cruise eBay for a while and see if a set comes up, if they don't then pull the trigger for a 170mm.

Yes they come in 165 but the 170s are much more common and cost less. My 600s in 165 were about 55 bucks on ebay, I waited a long time for them and in hindsight should have just gone with the 170s as the 5mm difference from the shimano 105s I was riding was not noticeable to me.

I really like the 600s you should buy some.

i have the older ones with the fluted? arms. the cool cutout like old campag. i have both 170 and 165s and yes they do make a perfect 42mm chainline on the outside ring. mum and dad had matching touring bikes custom made in the early 80's and were bright enough to get very nice parts for me to raid 25 years later.

one question though...what happens if i put a 1/8 chainring on it? will it be flush with the outer edge of the spider like my current ring is or not? i can't be stuffed measuring. and how did you get that nice polished look on those wild style?

Those cranks also come in 175mm lengths. Not that you'd want that for the application!

if you're looking to ebay square taper 165mm cranks don't limit yourself to shimano 600.. there are tons of cranks that are more or less the same thing for 25-30 bucks shipped easy.

Two quick questions:
(Edited for ********ness)
and what's the BCD?

the bcd is 130

HUH?

Pre-ultegra? It was ultegra before it was called that

You are worrying too much, if you're going to go square taper there's a billion choices. All you have to do is look at the shimano docs and find out what the chainline on the double was supposed to be with a certain bottom bracket and simple math to figure out exactly what bb length you need.

Please read this https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html

You are unecessarily restricting yourself to a particular crank for no reason. The other thing about using converted cranks is that you'll usually end up having to put the chainring on the inside of the spider, aesthetcially unpleasing and widens your Q-Factor over a real track crank.

Thanks, I will.

Why are you so concerned about this 42mm chainline? Why does it have to be that exact setup?

Guys in here saying they are "pretty good" must have the privilege of never riding on a crappy crank....the 600 series of Shimano stuff is/was of a very high calibre, bested only by Dura Ace.

Thanks to all. I've come to the conclusion that this Shimano 600 crank is extremely sexy, very high quality, perfect for a fixed gear application, and becoming increasingly rare. I'm going to buy some and I'm sure I'll be holding onto them for a long time.

Look right?

https://www.velobase.com/ViewSingleCo...3-15048c96e371

1st generation DURA ACE works also.. however a little pricier..

I've got a set of 600s on the winter geared bike...changes may have to be made.