Stronglite/Tange BB compatibility
09-26-19, 05:52 PM
#1
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Stronglite/Tange BB compatibility
My '75 (I believe) Motobecane Grand Jubile is finally in queue for a build up. My concerns are with the BB. It came with Tange English threaded cups in an English threaded BB. The crankset I want to use is a Stronglite 93. Am I going to run into compatibility issues using the Stronglite axle (which came in a French bike) in the Tange cups? Is it just a matter of dropping in bearings and grease, screw the cups in and go or is there some other issue I need to be aware of.
09-26-19, 05:56 PM
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I doubt the Tange cups in your 1975 Motobecane are english threaded. That bike is likely French threaded; I believe some of the later Motobecanes were Swiss threaded.
If the cups and spindle are good, I'd give the 93 a shot and see how it works.
There is a chance this might work. Here is some useful information on this
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbtaper.html
Brown's site says that older Stronglight cranks are ISO standard; Jan Heine says they're JIS,
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/...s-demystified/
If the cups and spindle are good, I'd give the 93 a shot and see how it works.
There is a chance this might work. Here is some useful information on this
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbtaper.html
Brown's site says that older Stronglight cranks are ISO standard; Jan Heine says they're JIS,
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/...s-demystified/
Last edited by bikemig; 09-26-19 at 06:01 PM.
09-26-19, 06:54 PM
#3
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After further investigation, cross checking the markings on the fixed cup vs. Sutherlands manual the BB is, indeed, Swiss threaded. The axle appears to be ISO. I think tomorrow I'll try to install the axle and bearings to see how it fits.
09-27-19, 01:52 AM
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I tried to install a Stronglight 93 double 54/44 onto a 110mm spindle width and was touching the dimpled chainstay. So make sure the spindle length is not less than 113mm for starters.
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09-27-19, 05:57 AM
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You are aware of the “thin cup” issue with the Stronglight 93?
french bottom brackets have “thin cup” walls and thus the spacing between races on the spindle are wider than std English cups (56mm vs 52mm).
I dont one know where your combo fits in but when installing and the adjustable cup sticks out too far, you have an issue.
Std french spindle for a Stronglight 93 double is 118 mm
french bottom brackets have “thin cup” walls and thus the spacing between races on the spindle are wider than std English cups (56mm vs 52mm).
I dont one know where your combo fits in but when installing and the adjustable cup sticks out too far, you have an issue.
Std french spindle for a Stronglight 93 double is 118 mm
09-27-19, 08:43 AM
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Brown's site says that older Stronglight cranks are ISO standard; Jan Heine says they're JIS,
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/...s-demystified/
Nevertheless, they are pretty much JIS. I was confused about this once too, and have subsequently measured and compared carefully with a couple different Stronglight cranks, and several JIS BB. JIS tapers are just a tiny hair fatter at the end, but close enough. Stronglight alloy is rather soft and the tapers tend to enlarge over time very slightly if taken on and off for maintenance. Therefore the very slightly fatter JIS spindles work out nicely for modern times.
09-27-19, 09:07 AM
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Technically, they are neither ISO nor JIS, as those standards weren't used in the 70s (or 80s).
Nevertheless, they are pretty much JIS. I was confused about this once too, and have subsequently measured and compared carefully with a couple different Stronglight cranks, and several JIS BB. JIS tapers are just a tiny hair fatter at the end, but close enough. Stronglight alloy is rather soft and the tapers tend to enlarge over time very slightly if taken on and off for maintenance. Therefore the very slightly fatter JIS spindles work out nicely for modern times.
Nevertheless, they are pretty much JIS. I was confused about this once too, and have subsequently measured and compared carefully with a couple different Stronglight cranks, and several JIS BB. JIS tapers are just a tiny hair fatter at the end, but close enough. Stronglight alloy is rather soft and the tapers tend to enlarge over time very slightly if taken on and off for maintenance. Therefore the very slightly fatter JIS spindles work out nicely for modern times.
09-27-19, 09:54 AM
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The Stronglight taper from the mod.93 days was very close to ISO in it's across-flats dimensions. JIS taper will kick out each arm approximately 2mm further than on a Stronglight or ISO taper.
That said, I've run the 93's on a Shimano 113mm symmetrical cartridge bb and it has worked well for over five years now.
That said, I've run the 93's on a Shimano 113mm symmetrical cartridge bb and it has worked well for over five years now.
09-27-19, 02:32 PM
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09-27-19, 02:35 PM
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09-27-19, 02:55 PM
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09-27-19, 02:59 PM
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09-27-19, 09:14 PM
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I like the spindle-shortening trick, it restores the fit, the chainline gets slightly better, and the grinding can be done on the still-installed spindle.
