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Help needed to replace old bottom bracket

Started by McSpin · · Last activity · 15 posts · 1,102 views

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01 / Original postHelp needed to replace old bottom bracketMcSpin · 5 Mar 2007 02 / This pagePosts 1–15Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #15McSpin · 7 Mar 2007

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
5 March 2007
Last activity
7 March 2007
Original author
McSpin
Posts
15
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
1,102
Views / 30 days
0
Topics
Bottom bracketsCranksetsFront derailleursReplacing a bottom bracketTaper and peaking

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  1. Original post
    McSpin
    Archived post
    #1

    I have an old bike (27 years old) I use on a trainer and as a "beater" in bad weather. Last year, I put new bearings in the bottom bracket, and they are already shot. I think the spindle is too pitted and I need a new one, but can't find one this size. I was hoping someone could direct me to a more modern replacement bottom bracket that will work on this bike.

    The crank is the original Shimano 600 (two chainrings). The spindle is a square taper for a 68 mm bracket shell and 120.4 mm long. I haven't been able to find a replacement spindle this exact length. How important is that? It would seem that a couple mm longer wouldn't hurt anything. Anyway, I don't want to replace the crank, so I'd appreciate a recommendation for something that will work on my bottom bracket shell and this crank. Also, nothing too expensive as this bike isn't worth too much.

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  2. gclark8
    Archived post
    #2

    If you fill in your Location in the details section, this will make it easy to give you a local contact.

    In Aus I can give directions to a BB kit and shaft or a sealed BB.

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  3. McSpin
    Archived post
    #3

    I'm in the U.S. and don't mind having someone ship it to me. The closest bike shop is 60 miles away and he doesn't have the spindle I need. He might have an updated cartridge-type bottom bracket, but I don't want to have to take my bike to him.

    Even if someone tells me the exact replacement bracket that will work, I should be able to find it somewhere.

    The spindle length on the old one is: 120.4mm for a 68 mm bottom bracket shell. There is approx. 36 mm of spindle on the crank side.

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  4. gclark8
    Archived post
    #4

    Any cheap (TH Industries) 118mm or 122mm (121.5) sealed BB should do the job. Get a steel one rather than alloy. 😉

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  5. McSpin
    Archived post
    #5

    I searched for TH bottom brackets and found some. It said they were for ISIS splined cranksets only. I don't know what that is. Would an old Shimano 600 crankset be considered splined?

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  6. dcullen
    Archived post
    #6

    try this

    http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=128270316833&d=single&c=Components&sc=Bottom-Brackets&tc=Cartridge/Taper-Spindle&item_id=TA-LN3968122

    McSpin said:

    I'm in the U.S. and don't mind having someone ship it to me. The closest bike shop is 60 miles away and he doesn't have the spindle I need. He might have an updated cartridge-type bottom bracket, but I don't want to have to take my bike to him.

    Even if someone tells me the exact replacement bracket that will work, I should be able to find it somewhere.

    The spindle length on the old one is: 120.4mm for a 68 mm bottom bracket shell. There is approx. 36 mm of spindle on the crank side.

    Report
  7. McSpin
    Archived post
    #7

    Thanks for all your help.

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  8. gclark8
    Archived post
    #8
    dcullen said:

    try this

    http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=128270316833&d=single&c=Components&sc=Bottom-Brackets&tc=Cartridge/Taper-Spindle&item_id=TA-LN3968122

    Purrrfect! 😉

    Quoted post said:


    Tange LN39 Cartridge Bottom Bracket,
    68mm Shell x 122.5mm Taper Spindle
    Price: $19.80
    Item #TA-LN3968122: .The Tange LN39 Series bottom brackets feature a steel body, steel cups, and a steel spindle with standard 8mm crank bolt threads. Very durable replacement bottom bracket. 68mm shell width, 122.5mm spindle length, 315 grams. Made in Japan.

    All Tange bottom brackets feature standard English (BSA) threads.

    You will need a couple of BB bolts to fix the crank arms on.

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  9. dcullen
    Archived post
    #9

    These are nice
    http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=128270316833&d=single&c=Repair-Parts&sc=Crank&tc=Crank-Arm-Bolts&item_id=SG-KPB
    I have these and like them
    http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=128270316833&d=single&c=Components&sc=Crank&tc=Crank-Arm-Bolts&item_id=US-QR8S

    gclark8 said:

    Purrrfect! 😉 You will need a couple of BB bolts to fix the crank arms on.

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  10. McSpin
    Archived post
    #10
    gclark8 said:

    Purrrfect! 😉 You will need a couple of BB bolts to fix the crank arms on.

    I'm guessing that the bolts that went into my old spindle would fit, or is that not the case?

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  11. gclark8
    Archived post
    #11

    I generally use new bolts in a new BB. 😎

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  12. kspangler
    Archived post
    #12

    This might sound stupid but, how do you know if a BB is going bad. I had my bike in for a tune up and they said the BB is showing wear, but not yet ready for replacement. I asked a specific question, "...how do you know when it needs replacement..." The answer sounded like a non answer to me - I can't rememer the exact words, but trust me it was a "non answer".

    The only sympton I've felt was what I would call some play coming from the BB (I think) when climbing hard. This happened to me maybe 5,000 miles ago and they just tightened it slightly and it went away.

    This particular BB has - I'm guessing - 7,000 miles on it. I'm guessing, don't have the numbers in front of me right now - I'm at the coffee shop.

    Thanks for all of the help.

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  13. McSpin
    Archived post
    #13

    Okay, it looks like I'm all set. I'll get the new bolts also. Thanks again for everyone's assistance.

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  14. Retro Grouch
    Archived post
    #14

    How much space do you have between your chainrings and the chain stay?

    If it's only a couple of millimeters, I'd get a Shimano UN54 with a 122.5mm spindle length.
    If it's a lot, around 10mm, I'd get the same bottom bracket in the 118mm length.

    I don't know of an on line source, but both are in the current QPB catalogue so any LBS can get one for you. I'd assume an on line dealer, like Harris would too.

    Report
  15. McSpin
    Archived post
    #15
    Retro Grouch said:

    How much space do you have between your chainrings and the chain stay?

    If it's only a couple of millimeters, I'd get a Shimano UN54 with a 122.5mm spindle length.
    If it's a lot, around 10mm, I'd get the same bottom bracket in the 118mm length.

    I don't know of an on line source, but both are in the current QPB catalogue so any LBS can get one for you. I'd assume an on line dealer, like Harris would too.

    Great info! I was wondering how to decide on total length. I guess I'll have to put it all back together so I can see where I've got some room to work with. I suppose I should also make sure the front derailleur can cover whatever direction I move the crank. I'm glad I didn't order it yet - only because I didn't find the time yesterday.

    Report

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