Bottom Bracket for Reynolds 531
View Full Version : Bottom Bracket for Reynolds 531
Hi folks
I'm fixing up an old Reynolds 531 bike (21.5in) and was wondering what size of a bottom bracket I should be looking for and where I can buy one (UK)
Thanks
what brand is the frame?
it depends what cranks you'll be using and what type of thread the frame's bottom bracket shell is. Reynolds 531 was used by a bazillion different frame builders using different bottom bracket shells and lugs. English is the most common bottom bracket threading, followed by Italian, then the less common ones; French, etc.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bottom
If it's a British-made frame it will most likely have an English-threaded bottom bracket shell, but if it's Italian, it won't necessarily have an Italian shell, etc.
The bottom bracket also has to match the cranks you have; axle shape/design, etc. For eg, Shimano Octalink cranks need an Octalink bottom bracket, but the new 10-speed Shimano cranks use a totally different bottom bracket, etc, etc, for the other brands
what brand is the frame?
it depends what cranks you'll be using and what type of thread the frame's bottom bracket shell is. Reynolds 531 was used by a bazillion different frame builders using different bottom bracket shells and lugs. English is the most common bottom bracket threading, followed by Italian, then the less common ones; French, etc.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bottom
If it's a British-made frame it will most likely have an English-threaded bottom bracket shell, but if it's Italian, it won't necessarily have an Italian shell, etc.
The bottom bracket also has to match the cranks you have; axle shape/design, etc. For eg, Shimano Octalink cranks need an Octalink bottom bracket, but the new 10-speed Shimano cranks use a totally different bottom bracket, etc, etc, for the other brandsHi
Many thanks for your reply
It's a Raleigh UK frame with a Shimano Sora double chainset
In that case, i can be almost positive that it's gunna have an English bottom bracket. If it's a very old Raleigh, there's a slight chance it may have a non-standard size, but, to be honest, I don't really know about that stuff.
I have a 1988 Raleigh with a standard English thread.
I'm reluctant to give to specific advice in case I'm wrong, :) but....
You should be able to see the axle. If it's a square, then you obviously need a square tapered bottom bracket.
It's best to get the cranks off to measure the width of the axle. The modern(ish) square axle Shimano BBs measure roughly 1mm longer than the 'badged' size, I think because the little outer 'lip' bit of he axle isn't counted. For eg, a 113mm axle measures about 114mm on a vernier. For memory, the axles go up in increments of 4mm.
In that case, i can be almost positive that it's gunna have an English bottom bracket. If it's a very old Raleigh, there's a slight chance it may have a non-standard size, but, to be honest, I don't really know about that stuff.
I have a 1988 Raleigh with a standard English thread.
I'm reluctant to give to specific advice in case I'm wrong, :) but....
You should be able to see the axle. If it's a square, then you obviously need a square tapered bottom bracket.
It's best to get the cranks off to measure the width of the axle. The modern(ish) square axle Shimano BBs measure roughly 1mm longer than the 'badged' size, I think because the little outer 'lip' bit of he axle isn't counted. For eg, a 113mm axle measures about 114mm on a vernier. For memory, the axles go up in increments of 4mm.That makes a lot of sense, I tried an 'old type' btm bracket in the frame which was roughly 119mm and it is too long - the chainset is too far out. So I reckon a 113mm isn't too far away. I would like to put an 'old type' btm bracket back in but they are difficult to find.
In that case, i can be almost positive that it's gunna have an English bottom bracket. If it's a very old Raleigh, there's a slight chance it may have a non-standard size, but, to be honest, I don't really know about that stuff.
I have a 1988 Raleigh with a standard English thread.
I'm reluctant to give to specific advice in case I'm wrong, :) but....
You should be able to see the axle. If it's a square, then you obviously need a square tapered bottom bracket.
It's best to get the cranks off to measure the width of the axle. The modern(ish) square axle Shimano BBs measure roughly 1mm longer than the 'badged' size, I think because the little outer 'lip' bit of he axle isn't counted. For eg, a 113mm axle measures about 114mm on a vernier. For memory, the axles go up in increments of 4mm.
My QBP book says you need a 113mm Octalink V2 bottom bracket.
My QBP book says you need a 113mm Octalink V2 bottom bracket.Hi
Thanks, I'm not sure my chainset is octalink though
I was wrong about the axle width increments; these are the sizes for Shimano square tapers
107, 109, 113, 115, 118, 122.5, 127.5 mm
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bottombrackets.html#shimano
old style bottom bracketI tend to hang onto to old gear as much as the next guy, but the new one piece bottom brackets are (in my opinion), no doubt, one of the best things to come out in the last xxx years.
No stuffing around with the lockring.....AAAAAAGH, the painful memories. Maybe it was just me :)
And the new ones are so cheap, that there's no big deal about replcing them every so often
I tend to hang onto to old gear as much as the next guy, but the new one piece bottom brackets are (in my opinion), no doubt, one of the best things to come out in the last xxx years.
No stuffing around with the lockring.....AAAAAAGH, the painful memories. Maybe it was just me :)
And the new ones are so cheap, that there's no big deal about replcing them every so oftenThanks, is there a particular Shimano bottom bracket I should be looking for, I reckon one at 113 would be about right
Thanks, is there a particular Shimano bottom bracket I should be looking for, I reckon one at 113 would be about righteh, not really. I recommend a UN52, UN53, UN72 or UN73. The 52 and 53 are a tiny bit heavier and cheaper than the 72 and 73
eh, not really. I recommend a UN52, UN53, UN72 or UN73. The 52 and 53 are a tiny bit heavier and cheaper than the 72 and 73Thanks for your help 531Aussie, much appreciated
Thanks for your help 531Aussie, much appreciatedno worries, but proceed with caution. I've built a lot of bikes, but I'm no mechanic and I've never worked in a shop :)
If you put the bottom bracket yourself, make sure the torque is right (enough) and that you use grease on the threads, or something else that will prevent the threads seizing if corrosion occurs
no worries, but proceed with caution. I've built a lot of bikes, but I'm no mechanic and I've never worked in a shop :)
If you put the bottom bracket yourself, make sure the torque is right (enough) and that you use grease on the threads, or something else that will prevent the threads seizing if corrosion occursWill do, thanks
Will do, thanksI see that Shimano recommend the BS68-110 English for the Sora double chainset. When I went to order one online there are some at 68*110MM and 73*110MM. What is the difference?
I see that Shimano recommend the BS68-110 English for the Sora double chainset. When I went to order one online there are some at 68*110MM and 73*110MM. What is the difference?
About 5mm, or a half a centimeter. 68 and 73 refer to the width of the bottom bracket shell on the frame, so the position of the bearing cones on the axles are going to be different. Measure your BB shell and go with the closer size.
About 5mm, or a half a centimeter. 68 and 73 refer to the width of the bottom bracket shell on the frame, so the position of the bearing cones on the axles are going to be different. Measure your BB shell and go with the closer size.Thanks oldbobcat. 68 seems to be the nearer.
Automatic Translations (Powered by
):
vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by
vBSEO 3.3.0
