Really stupid question about BB's
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
#6
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
There are different thread patterns, and then there are types that fit the bearings into the frame directly.
but Japan and British commonwealth and former colonies use British pattern .
NB right/drive side of the frame is Left Hand Threaded the other is RH thread.
but Japan and British commonwealth and former colonies use British pattern .
NB right/drive side of the frame is Left Hand Threaded the other is RH thread.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-02-10 at 05:05 PM.
#7
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
The bottom bracket is the interface between the bike frame and the crankset. As such is has to match both.
Frame issues include the BB shell width, diameter, thread pitch and direction. For practical purposes, diameter, thread pitch and direction can be summed up by saying English, Italian or French. Don't assume that a bike frame with an Italian sounding name will necessarily take an Italian bottom bracket.
Crankset issues are spindle length and square taper, splined or exo-bearing interface. All of these issues ar typically specified by the crank manufacturer. Sometimes the specified spindle length will be an option (113/118). If that's the case choose the 113 spindle length if your rear dropouts measure 130 mm, and the longer, 118 version for 135 mm dropouts.
Oh - and if you think your question was stupid you should see what has happened to some of the people who didn't think to ask it.
Frame issues include the BB shell width, diameter, thread pitch and direction. For practical purposes, diameter, thread pitch and direction can be summed up by saying English, Italian or French. Don't assume that a bike frame with an Italian sounding name will necessarily take an Italian bottom bracket.
Crankset issues are spindle length and square taper, splined or exo-bearing interface. All of these issues ar typically specified by the crank manufacturer. Sometimes the specified spindle length will be an option (113/118). If that's the case choose the 113 spindle length if your rear dropouts measure 130 mm, and the longer, 118 version for 135 mm dropouts.
Oh - and if you think your question was stupid you should see what has happened to some of the people who didn't think to ask it.
#8
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
My question to you is what kind of frame and crankset do you have (or think of getting)? I think it would be a lot easier if you told everybody what frame and crankset you have and we can easily tell you what bottom bracket you will need.
#9
Bill
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO
Bikes: Specialized Globe Sport, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro
Before asking a "Really stupid question" (of which there are none in reality) check out Sheldon Brown's site. So much to learn there. He did us all a great service by publishing his knowledge in a straight forward understandable way. Here he has much on BB sizes. But don't stop there read everything he's got and refer back often.
Last edited by wmodavis; 08-02-10 at 05:52 PM. Reason: correction
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: golden, co
Bikes: 80' Zullo track bike,84 Lotus Legend,91' Nishiki Prestige,91' Fuji sundance
Before asking a "Really stupid question" (of which there are none in reality) check out Sheldon Brown's site. So much to learn there. He did us all a great service by publishing his knowledge in a straight forward understandable way. Here he has much on BB sizes. But don't stop there read everything he's got and refer back often.
#11
Yes, I have read Sheldon Brown's site, hundreds of times. Sometimes though I need to hear it straight from other people, I'm slow like that. I starting a fixed gear project assembling pieces from the ground up, and am slightly unsure about BB sizes. But tons of good info here, and that is why I ask here
#13
Ok lets say the SRAM Omnium: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1371
paired with a Pake frame (I know, sue me): https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=2593
It says they both accept 68mm. Now, on the link to the crank with the included BB, it asks me to suggest a length, one being 165mm. Is this the length of the crank arms, or the bolt diameter? I'm looking for some decent frame suggestions, not looking to spend more than 800$ though. \
paired with a Pake frame (I know, sue me): https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=2593
It says they both accept 68mm. Now, on the link to the crank with the included BB, it asks me to suggest a length, one being 165mm. Is this the length of the crank arms, or the bolt diameter? I'm looking for some decent frame suggestions, not looking to spend more than 800$ though. \
#14
GONE~
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
$800 can get you a very nice frame, Lugged Leader, Wabi, Soma Rush, Toyo Godzilla, BareKnuckle, vintage frames on eBay..etc etc.
Omnium will be compatible with the Pake, Pake IMO are perfect beater builds, slightly on the heavy side but they are perfectly fine. 165mm indicates crank arms length and 144mm is Omnium's BCD.
Omnium will be compatible with the Pake, Pake IMO are perfect beater builds, slightly on the heavy side but they are perfectly fine. 165mm indicates crank arms length and 144mm is Omnium's BCD.
#16
$800 can get you a very nice frame, Lugged Leader, Wabi, Soma Rush, Toyo Godzilla, BareKnuckle, vintage frames on eBay..etc etc.
Omnium will be compatible with the Pake, Pake IMO are perfect beater builds, slightly on the heavy side but they are perfectly fine. 165mm indicates crank arms length and 144mm is Omnium's BCD.
Omnium will be compatible with the Pake, Pake IMO are perfect beater builds, slightly on the heavy side but they are perfectly fine. 165mm indicates crank arms length and 144mm is Omnium's BCD.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 525
Likes: 17
From: NYC
Bikes: 09' Cinelli Vigorelli, 95' trek 950
the only thing i would really splurge on is a saddle.
it doesn't really make much sense to spend a ton on certain components and cheap out on others.
#18
Is the Pake frame really any different from most other entry level frames (Kilo TT, Windsor Hour, IRO)?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bikemanbob
Classic & Vintage
13
09-17-10 07:52 PM





