New-Old-Stock (NOS) Shimano "Cup-n-Cone" Bottom Bracket Spindle...68 mm x 113 mm
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Product Description:

This offering is for a new-old-stock (nos) Shimano "cup-n-cone" bottom bracket spindle made from hardened chromoly steel. Some of it's specifications include the following:

  • Cup type/size: compatible with cups having English threads and measuring 1.37" in diameter x 24 threads per inch (tpi)

  • Shell width: 68 mm

  • Spindle/axle type: JIS square-tapered with 3H markings

  • Spindle/axle length: 113 mm

  • Production locale: Made in Japan

  • Special note: The spindle/axle has symmetrical measurements, as both the right and left side spindle ends (including the width of the cone) measure 31 mm and the center section measures 51 mm.

Please note the spindle/axle length is fairly important, because Shimano cranksets (and other brands) generally have different profiles. This is key, because it's the combination of the bottom bracket spindle length and the right-side crank arm profile that will have the greatest impact on chainline. There is not as much information on these older style cup-n-cone bottom brackets, but we believe Shimano's chainline recommendations (for their cup-n-cone bottom brackets) should be consistent with their newer cartridge bottom bracket offerings. Assuming this fact, a chainline of 43.5 mm (measured from the center of the seat tube to the midpoint between the two chainrings on a double crankset) or a chainline of 45.0 mm (measured from the center of the seat tube to the middle chainring on a triple crankset) is considered optimal for a road bike. Alternatively, a chainline of 47.5 mm (measured from the center of the seat tube to the middle chainring on a triple crankset) is considered optimal for a mountain bike. The only other consideration here is that Shimano also specifies that a 50.0 mm chainline may be preferred for a mountain bike when the front derailleur is mounted on an oversized seat tube...pushing the front derailleur further to the right.

Given these parameters, there are probably a number of cranksets that may be compatible with this bottom bracket spindle...although our research indicates that Shimano's 105 and RX100 cranksets from the early 90's (double chainring model FC-1055 and FC-A550) are compatible and the intended match to this bottom bracket spindle. As a result, this offering is a good quality bottom bracket spindle from this period.

Also (and as noted above), the square-tapered spindle ends are compatible with other Shimano cranksets, but please check your crankset's spindle/axle length requirements before attempting to use this offering with another Shimano crankset...and we can try to help in this regard should you have questions). We empasize this last point, because chainline has a direct impact on shifting performance, so even though selected Shimano crank arms may have the same square-tapered interface, if their spindle/axle length requirements are different from this offering, then there is a strong possibility that shifting performance will suffer...so please pay particular attention to spindle lengths when it comes to purchasing any bottom bracket (or related component pieces).

As for condition, these spindles were bulk packed, but they've been preserved fairly well...as the races all look good and there is absolutely no corrosion or rust present on any of the component pieces. Cosmetically, however, the finish work is nothing special and probably best described as a dull brownish/black color that will have some scratches/scuffs, but functionally they are as new.

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