I was a block away from my house after a two day, 80 mile trip. Feeling great, riding by and saying hey to the pups in my neighbors yard, when I got too close to the loose gravel on my country road and washed out. I was fine, but the left-side pedal dug into the road and broke my spindle.
I’d like to keep the bike as original as possible and only replace the spindle, but it’s cottered so, hard to find and probably not worth it, right? I’m not against getting a newer cartridge bb, but then I’d have to replace the crank arms and possibly the chainrings, thereby changing the patina/vintage motif that I have tried so hard to keep.
I’m not sure what thread or size spindle it is yet. I broke my hand shortly after this disaster and am just now getting back to fixing and riding the bike again.
What would YOU do in this stupid scenario and do you have any recommendations for part(s)?
Sfdgp on
Square taper cartridge bottom bracket with a vintage drillium crankset.
Would look vintage enough and keep you in flush in bottom brackets until they stop manufacturing square tapered ones
lostarchitect on
I would also advocate switching to a square taper bottom bracket. You can find an inexpensive and appropriate Japanese crankset on ebay. Your bike will be lighter and easier to service in the future, while still looking period correct.
I’d also suggest using a modern cartridge bottom bracket, like the Shimano UN55 or similar. They’re super easy to install and work great. Just make sure to pick the crankset you want first, and look up the correct bottom bracket spindle length for that crankset. It will usually work if it’s off by a little bit, so don’t sweat it too much.
CodewortSchinken on
I’d look out for a nice vintage japanese aluminium crankset, like a Sakea or Sugino and change over to a square taper bb.
Should be a nice, period looking upgrade over the heavyweight cotted cranks.
4 Comments
1976 Fuji Sports 10
I was a block away from my house after a two day, 80 mile trip. Feeling great, riding by and saying hey to the pups in my neighbors yard, when I got too close to the loose gravel on my country road and washed out. I was fine, but the left-side pedal dug into the road and broke my spindle.
I’d like to keep the bike as original as possible and only replace the spindle, but it’s cottered so, hard to find and probably not worth it, right? I’m not against getting a newer cartridge bb, but then I’d have to replace the crank arms and possibly the chainrings, thereby changing the patina/vintage motif that I have tried so hard to keep.
I’m not sure what thread or size spindle it is yet. I broke my hand shortly after this disaster and am just now getting back to fixing and riding the bike again.
What would YOU do in this stupid scenario and do you have any recommendations for part(s)?
Square taper cartridge bottom bracket with a vintage drillium crankset.
Would look vintage enough and keep you in flush in bottom brackets until they stop manufacturing square tapered ones
I would also advocate switching to a square taper bottom bracket. You can find an inexpensive and appropriate Japanese crankset on ebay. Your bike will be lighter and easier to service in the future, while still looking period correct.
I’d also suggest using a modern cartridge bottom bracket, like the Shimano UN55 or similar. They’re super easy to install and work great. Just make sure to pick the crankset you want first, and look up the correct bottom bracket spindle length for that crankset. It will usually work if it’s off by a little bit, so don’t sweat it too much.
I’d look out for a nice vintage japanese aluminium crankset, like a Sakea or Sugino and change over to a square taper bb.
Should be a nice, period looking upgrade over the heavyweight cotted cranks.