Klein Bottom Bracket / Cranks

[daveaasmith]

Recently installed a set of Ritchey cranks on my Attitude (1990 Team USA) but faced with the following gap on the spindle (see pic).

Have to admit lack of knowledge in this area - but I had presumed that I'd be able to get the cranks all the way on :? .

Obviously not wanting to overtighten and strip the inner spindle threads I've tightened as far as seems reasonable, but it won't go any further. The cranks were clean (around the taper 'square' so nothing should be stopping it there).

So, not being happy with it, I've removed the cranks. Although these we're a fkr to get off - I don't think the spindle inner threads are crossed (as the crank extractor is a bit rounded at the end), but I think I may have slightly upset the first couple of threads. I daren't put the crank bolt in, until I know it isn't coming out again after my 'chosen' cranks are installed :cry: .

Anyone have thoughts why the cranks wouldn't go on as far as I expected? Should all cranks be compatible? My spindle is about 135mm.

 

[Carsten]

how far into the square taper does the spindle reach, i.e. how much of the taper is not filled from end of spindle to end of taper? it doesn't matter too much how far the crank arm goes onto the spindle as long as the taper is fully (minus say max. 2mm) on the spindle. the 135mm spindle is too long for the ritchey cranks i'd say to achieve a good chain line.

carsten

 

[daveaasmith]

how far into the square taper does the spindle reach, i.e. how much of the taper is not filled from end of spindle to end of taper? it doesn't matter too much how far the crank arm goes onto the spindle as long as the taper is fully (minus say max. 2mm) on the spindle. the 135mm spindle is too long for the ritchey cranks i'd say to achieve a good chain line.

carsten

Looking from the outside, the end of the spindle sits a good 4mm back from the end of the crank taper.

Suggestions for alternative cranks?

 

[daveaasmith]

The 135mm spindle seems to be on the largest side of all the spindles which were fitted to the 1990-93 Attitudes (looking at the Kleinjapan tech manual). Looks to me like they were reserved for Campy Euclid.

Suntour XC-Pro and XC-Comp look the closest at 125mm, as well as 1993 XT.

 

[Carsten]

4mm sounds too much but maybe that's the way it is with those cranks? according to the Klein manual the Ritchey cranks need a 125mm spindle.

can you find out from the previous owner(s) which cranks were originally on the bike? e.g. Mavic, Campa Euclid, old Cooks required such a long spindle but i don't know if their taper required a different spindle than the Ritchey.

Carsten

 

[daveaasmith]

Yeah, I'll see what the previous owner had on it - although he had it hanging on the wall for 8 years so it might not be him the best person to advise - we'll see what he says though!

As for changing the BB? Has anyone removed/replaced a press-fit at a LBS? Certainly not something I'd look at doing myself, but can these be taken out and a Shimano sealed unit be used instead?

Just toying with ideas you understand!

 

[Carsten]

the bb shell is not threaded hence a normal bb will not work. you can mount a different spindle though and the bearings are standard ones which are cheap and last a long time. plenty of threads on that topic, search for klein AND bottom bracket or klein AND spindle

the bb shell can be threaded with the larger "italian" size (BSA is too small for the bb shell) but before you go that route make sure that the bb you need is still available now and in the future because you cannot go back to the press-fit bb. and it should be done by someone who knows how to do it.

www.reset-racing.com offers various bbs for the press-fit shell

http://www.reset-racing.de/reset/innenlager_index1.htm


Carsten

 

[daveaasmith]

Probably a cheaper/easier option......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0295513064

That's a tasty Euclid!

 

[daveaasmith]

Thanks Carsten - a great help!

Anyone know of any UK bike shops who have experience in removing / replacing Klein BB's :?: :?: :?: With new spindles (and bearings I guess).

Or better still, anyone know of any Euclid cranks for sale :?:

 

[daveaasmith]

Come on you Klein peeps - any of you know any bike shops in the UK who can do BB work?

Before I take a metal file to the crank tapers so they go on further :shock:

Actually, is that too daft an idea :twisted: ? They only need to go on another 4mm, so would need much 'taper' removing.

Thoughts :?:

Dave.