Campagnolo Bottom Bracket, which bloomin one

I am looking for a vintage Campagnolo bottom bracket to go on the Mercian when it arrives

The thread is going to be 68mm BSC and the rear wheel axle spacing is going to be 120mm

So what bb axle length do I go for, is it 109mm?

and how do I know if I have got the right one

Would the right one be marked SS-P-120 by any chance.?

What crankset is for? Older campy pista stuff needs a 109 mm bb and newer stuff is 111mm.

On my old bike, with a 70s Campy crank and the same spec as yours, I ran a BB stamped 68-P-120 (P indicates pista and 120 indicates the suggested width of the rear). You could probably get away with a 68-P-110 in there.

However, pretty much any symetric 111mm Campy BB will also work for either cranksets. It really won't make any difference with your chainline esp as most cogs tend to push the chain out to 43mm anyway.

Campy Record Cranks so I guess that makes it 109 mm

probably use a Campy cog as the EAI one I tried

seemed a little too wide on the hub

One on ebay now marked 68-SPc

any ideas..?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Campagnolo-CRecord-Bottom-bracket-PISTA-TRACK-NIB_W0QQitemZ270176546676QQihZ017QQcategoryZ56195QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So for example could I use this BB with 1970's 'Record' cranks or do U need to find a 68-P-120, any campagnolo experts out there..?

That is a lot of money! For the record I picked up a virtually brand new C-Record BB for my road bike from the States for $50 last year.

If you're not sure I'd suggest buying a second hand, well worn BB, and fit it to check the chainline. From there you'll know where you're going with it. Even if the cups are Ok, but the axle is shot you could just pick up another axle from a bike jumble. I do have a spare BB knocking around, but it's for an Italian shell, sorry!

pip What crankset is for? Older campy pista stuff needs a 109 mm bb and newer stuff is 111mm.

On my old bike, with a 70s Campy crank and the same spec as yours, I ran a BB stamped 68-P-120 (P indicates pista and 120 indicates the suggested width of the rear). You could probably get away with a 68-P-110 in there.

However, pretty much any symetric 111mm Campy BB will also work for either cranksets. It really won't make any difference with your chainline esp as most cogs tend to push the chain out to 43mm anyway.

So...what measurement does 68 refer to?

BB shell width in mm.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/blog.php?do=showjournal&j=41

Ah yes.

Long day.

So the 2mm difference between 109mm and 111mm equals a + 1mm difference in chainline...?

Yeah, if you have a symmetric Campy BB (such as some of the ACH ones or the Pista bb), your cranks will sit 1mm further out on either side. As most cogs+hubs tend to not give you a perfect 42mm chainline anyway, I seriously doubt you'll notice the difference.

111mm is worth considering just because its quite hard to find 109mm ISO BBs these days (and the prices can vary wildly).

I would personally buy a cheap ACH Campy 111mm BB (or similar), use that in the meantime and then sort out either:

1) A NOS 109 Campy pista bb

2) A Sugino 75 BB (109mm allegedly ISO but I'm still not 100% confidence thats its truly an ISO taper)

3) Phil wood - make a very nice 110mm adjustable ISO BB, which you could dial in perfectly

4) Royce BB - can make you a custom BB in almost any length taper

5) TA Axis BB, which I believe are ISO taper and come in a 110mm length.

I agree with what Pip says. The other advantage of the ACH ones (or the latest Centaur ones) are that they are sealed and so require less maintenance than older cup and cone BBs. Having said that, the older ones only require occasional repacking.

Pity you're getting an English threaded frame or I could have sold you my spare Italian threaded BB otherwise :)

The Miche bottom bracket is adjustable and ISO. You can pick them up new for £13 from Ribble.

The Miche one is also meant to be a complete pile of crap (from what I've heard rather than direct experience)

aren't sugino adjustable as well?! they are £29 from on-one or brixton.

are these campy centaur in british thread designed for 68mm shell?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360022293&n=Campagnolo%20Centaur%20Triple%20Tapered%20Bottom%20Bracket

Momentum The Miche one is also meant to be a complete pile of crap (from what I've heard rather than direct experience)

I have also heard this......and that they are amazing. Reminds me of a joke....

Jeremy Beadle has a tiny penis.

On the other hand, it's huge!

The Miche BB is alright, I've been using one for a while. You need a Campag cassete tool to install them though.
Perfect chainline every time.

Thank you so very much, the frame isn't going to be ready until Christmas so I'll think I'll try and find an NOS 109mm, failing that I'll go for the Phil Wood, I really apprieciate the advice I have a habit of finding things out the hard way

buddha: this might be a good option, depending on how 'used' it is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-CAMPAGNOLO-PISTA-TRACK-RACE-BOTTOM-BRACKET-68SS_W0QQitemZ110183120277QQihZ001QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

He doesn't specify axle length so you'll need to check.

i was happy with my miche bb until it started rocking in the frame and coming undone, replaced it with a chorus 111 as it's the same fitting tool as the miche*, it has a flanged cup on the drive side so hopefully it will not keep loosening. (haven't ridden it yet)

*only chorus and record use the splined 'internal' tool the other campy bb's have notches cut into the flanges.

@pip
if he says its from his raleigh track does that mean it has raleigh threading?
if so. SHOTGUN! (or dibs)

eyebrows: A Raleigh bb went for £4 the other day on ebay.

edit to show my stupidity raleighs are 26 tpi. thats a 24.
balls

what u want?!

I think that a Raleigh track bike would use standard English threading