Italian BBs: Can I use an English BB axle in there?

[Hillwalker]

I've just bought my first Italian retro bike, a gorgeous Chesini Innovation

I have most of the necessary pieces (C Record and CDA mix), but my go-to Italian BB has a 115 mm axle - just a tad long. I have a couple of NR spare BBs, but in English sizes, but they have a 111 axle. Are English and Italian axles interchangeable, with only the cups and possibly bearings different?

Any help welcomed

HW

 

[Midlife]

English BB shells are 68mm whilst ltaliam are 70mm so the distance between the bearing surfaces are different so not interchangeable.

Shaun

 

[Hillwalker]

Thanks Shaun; I should have remembered that!

On the up side I'll go with the 115mm axle and tinker with the chainline if needed. It's only 2mm on each side

HW

 

[foz]

campagnolo still make new sealed BBs in 111mm, as do a couple of other makes. Not too expensive either. If you're not worried about period correctness, I'd get one of those instead of having the wrong spindle length.

 

[Hillwalker]

campagnolo still make new sealed BBs in 111mm, as do a couple of other makes. Not too expensive either. If you're not worried about period correctness, I'd get one of those instead of having the wrong spindle length.

Yep, there's a lot to be said for that; thanks

HW

 

[hamster]

The Centaur ones are also dismantlable so when the bearings finally wear out you can easily rebuild it with spares from a bearing supplier.

 

[Little Al]

Thanks Shaun; I should have remembered that!

On the up side I'll go with the 115mm axle and tinker with the chainline if needed. It's only 2mm on each side

HW

Is the 115MM axle the same length from bearing collars to end of taper if the non drive end is shorter turn the axle end for end all that doe's is put the non chainwheel crank slightly further from the frame if the same, or longer an Italian spindle is required or a sealed BB, suitable for a 70mm shell & 2 right hand theads.

 

[ferrus]

The Centaur ones are also dismantlable so when the bearings finally wear out you can easily rebuild it with spares from a bearing supplier.

I love this forum for info' like this, that's really good to know- thank's hamster.

 

[Hillwalker]

Thanks to all who contributed. I took the plunge and bought an 111mm Italian BB to do the job properly

HW