Shimano Octalink BB axle width/length

[mhespenheide]

So...

I'm trying to resurrect my first good bike, a 1990 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. It was a mutt in the first place, with a lugged Columbus Cromor frame welded in Italy and a smattering of Ofmega, Cinelli, and SunTour parts. As a fan of Andy Hampsten and the 7-11 racing team of the day, I developed a fondness for Dura Ace parts. I've managed to collect some mostly-period-correct 7400 through 7410 series parts, except for a set of 7700 cranks. They're in the difficult-to-find size of 177.5mm, so I'm fine to put up with the variation. (Especially since this is a sentimental project more than anything else, not a restoration). I now need to find a bottom bracket for the 7700 cranks. The trick is that the Bianchi uses Italian threading on the BB shell.

In searching on google, it looks like the only "new" options for Italian threading are 70x109mm or 70x118mm. Am I correct in assuming that the shorter spindle is a generic "double" crank and the longer is a generic "triple" crank, or do I need to look at any other issues such as chainstay clearance?

Also, it looks like there were two different versions of the octalink. Yes? No? It looks like this fits the 7700 cranks.

(If anyone has a good-condition appropriate bottom bracket for sale, let me know...)

Thanks for any help,
Mark.

[Don49]

I always turn to Sheldon Brown for help on BB stuff.
Have a look here and scroll down to "Octalink" http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html
Sorry, that's all I know.

[EricEstlund]

V1 spline 109mm in the correct thread for doubles.

[oliver1850]

That's the one you want, actually 109.5 by Shimano's designation. 5500, 6500, 7700, and 7710 will work. I think there was a 6500 Italian in the classifieds a week or two ago.

[Llewellyn]

Ribble have both the 5500 and 6500 BB Italian in 109.5mm

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

So...

I'm trying to resurrect my first good bike, a 1990 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. It was a mutt in the first place, with a lugged Columbus Cromor frame welded in Italy and a smattering of Ofmega, Cinelli, and SunTour parts. As a fan of Andy Hampsten and the 7-11 racing team of the day, I developed a fondness for Dura Ace parts. I've managed to collect some mostly-period-correct 7400 through 7410 series parts, except for a set of 7700 cranks. They're in the difficult-to-find size of 177.5mm, so I'm fine to put up with the variation. (Especially since this is a sentimental project more than anything else, not a restoration). I now need to find a bottom bracket for the 7700 cranks. The trick is that the Bianchi uses Italian threading on the BB shell.

In searching on google, it looks like the only "new" options for Italian threading are 70x109mm or 70x118mm. Am I correct in assuming that the shorter spindle is a generic "double" crank and the longer is a generic "triple" crank, or do I need to look at any other issues such as chainstay clearance?

Also, it looks like there were two different versions of the octalink. Yes? No? It looks like this fits the 7700 cranks.

(If anyone has a good-condition appropriate bottom bracket for sale, let me know...)

Thanks for any help,
Mark.

5500 BBs are still made by shimano and yes, the 109.5 is for the double, DA, Ultegra and 105, and the 118 was for the triple..again, all 9s triple cranks, 5500, 6600 and 7700..triple versions.

There are 2 octalink 'versions, essentially a fat splined one for XT and others, MTB cranks and the thinner spline ones for road cranks of that era. XTR had a thin spline as well, the only one that cross-polinated with road stuff.

jim@vecchios.com
has new 5500 BBs in both lengths and in BSC and the far superior Italian threading. About $60 if memory serves.

[mhespenheide]

Thanks for the help, everyone.