octalink BB
09-23-21, 10:38 AM
#1
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octalink BB
I have a 2002 Lemond Buenos Aries that according to the Lemond catelogue takes a Shimano 105 BB 68-118 Splined..I want to replace the BB for a noise issue.The only Shimano Octalink BB I find is a 68-118.5. which is BB-5500.Does that half millimeter make a difference?
09-23-21, 01:35 PM
#2
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There won’t be an issue as long as they are both V-1.
The Shimano Tech Docs show the 105 5500 Ocatalink V-1 as 118.5mm.
I’m guessing the 118mm in the Lemond catalog is not correct. Even online suppliers list the 5500 as 118mm or 118.5mm depending on the retailer.
John
The Shimano Tech Docs show the 105 5500 Ocatalink V-1 as 118.5mm.
I’m guessing the 118mm in the Lemond catalog is not correct. Even online suppliers list the 5500 as 118mm or 118.5mm depending on the retailer.
John
Last edited by 70sSanO; 09-23-21 at 01:39 PM.
09-23-21, 03:02 PM
#4
Senior Member
v1 = "version 1". This is the first version of Octalink Shimano released. It's generally used on road bikes.
v2 = "version 2". This was the second version and is generally used on mountain bikes.
The two versions are NOT compatible - as I recall, v2 splines are substantially longer (and may be either wider or narrower as well). Mismatching is a Bad Idea, and reputedly often ruins the crank.
See the late Sheldon Brown's website for a detailed discussion on the differences.
v2 = "version 2". This was the second version and is generally used on mountain bikes.
The two versions are NOT compatible - as I recall, v2 splines are substantially longer (and may be either wider or narrower as well). Mismatching is a Bad Idea, and reputedly often ruins the crank.
See the late Sheldon Brown's website for a detailed discussion on the differences.
09-23-21, 03:38 PM
#5
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Covered on Sheldonbrown, but you have to be careful with the road vs MTB assumption. XTR used V1 and at least some Sora and Tiara used V2.
The two are not cross compatible in either direction and damage will occur.
The two are not cross compatible in either direction and damage will occur.
09-23-21, 03:56 PM
#6
Senior Member
v1 = "version 1". This is the first version of Octalink Shimano released. It's generally used on road bikes.
Correct, with the exception being the XTR M952 crank/BB that used a different spindle length from the road versions.
v2 = "version 2". This was the second version and is generally used on mountain bikes.
Again correct, except for the early versions of Tiagra and Sora that had both V2 and square taper cranks available.
The two versions are NOT compatible - as I recall, v2 splines are substantially longer (and may be either wider or narrower as well). Mismatching is a Bad Idea, and reputedly often ruins the crank.
The V2 splines were wider as well. Yes, NOT compatible.
See the late Sheldon Brown's website for a detailed discussion on the differences.
Correct, with the exception being the XTR M952 crank/BB that used a different spindle length from the road versions.
v2 = "version 2". This was the second version and is generally used on mountain bikes.
Again correct, except for the early versions of Tiagra and Sora that had both V2 and square taper cranks available.
The two versions are NOT compatible - as I recall, v2 splines are substantially longer (and may be either wider or narrower as well). Mismatching is a Bad Idea, and reputedly often ruins the crank.
The V2 splines were wider as well. Yes, NOT compatible.
See the late Sheldon Brown's website for a detailed discussion on the differences.
A 118 would be a V2 length.
Edit: Guess we're all in agreement on this.
Last edited by KCT1986; 09-23-21 at 04:23 PM.
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09-23-21, 05:49 PM
#7
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09-23-21, 06:24 PM
#8
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Thanks to you and jccaclimber for the reminder about early Sora/Tiagra use of Octalink V2 - I'd read Sheldon's info on Octalink differences previously but had missed or forgotten that point. Appreciate the refresher.
Last edited by Hondo6; 09-23-21 at 06:33 PM. Reason: Correct error in original comment.
09-23-21, 09:10 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
There is truly a wealth of information here.Thank you I'll tune in again when the new BB arrives and I open it up and look at the old one.
09-25-21, 07:53 AM
#10
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OK this is the latest.My new BB-5500 arrived and I took out the old one and was surprised to see it is version 2 (BB ES-70)!! Thanks for the heads up about non compatibility between cranks V1 and V2 or I might of tried to install the new one.However the old one was in surprisingly good shape, almost as smooth spinning as the new one after cleaning it up with an almost imperceivable roughness.When I returned it back into the shell it was perceptively less smooth spinning.A little gritty.I took it for a ride and it is quieter with a slight click and no play at all.In the mean time I'm going to keep riding it.I look on line and the ES-70 is hard to get but ES 51 is available and yes the ES is 118 length as specified in the catalogue not 118.5 like the bb5500..Can Anyone explain the less smoothness of the BB when tightened in the shell?
09-25-21, 12:00 PM
#11
Senior Member
Guess that the question now is what crankset are you using. If it's Ultegra or 105, installing it on a V2 BB could have damaged the interface. See Sheldon Brown's site linked in post #7 above.
Or maybe it was changed to some model crank that does take a V2 BB....
Or maybe it was changed to some model crank that does take a V2 BB....
09-25-21, 04:36 PM
#12
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Thread Starter
The crankset is Ultegra 6500 trple.It fits snugly in the installed V2 crank. It tried it in the new 5500 V1 and there was play.It did not fit properly.Strange isn't it?
09-25-21, 06:51 PM
#13
Senior Member
Guess that it was "forced" onto the V2 BB and now can no longer properly fit on a V1 BB. Hopefully both right and left lines up correctly 180* apart.
Don't know if this causes any long term issues or decreases the strength at the interface.
Attached the actual specs. V2 on the left, V1 on the right.
Don't know if this causes any long term issues or decreases the strength at the interface.
Attached the actual specs. V2 on the left, V1 on the right.
09-26-21, 09:20 PM
#14
Banned.
This one has:
SEALED CARTRIDGE UNIT
Shimano
BB-5500
68
BC 1.37x24
Japan V!A
L <---118.5--->R
09-27-21, 12:48 PM
#16
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The combination of 6500 triple crank and V2 octolink BB is wrong (and potentially very dangerous) on so many levels.
Force fitting a V1 crank onto a V2 BB will pretty much destroy the crankset internals because the tangs are each .6mm wider on the V2 and there’s nowhere for all of that displaced aluminum to go.
Additionally, you’re adding 4mm of crank offset to each side of the bike- not a good thing for indexed shifting.
Advise that you return the Octo V2 bb and buy a new or good used triple crankset and the correct BB for it. Plenty of solid 80’s era Deore trIples out there that take a square taper bb that will last basically forever.
Force fitting a V1 crank onto a V2 BB will pretty much destroy the crankset internals because the tangs are each .6mm wider on the V2 and there’s nowhere for all of that displaced aluminum to go.
Additionally, you’re adding 4mm of crank offset to each side of the bike- not a good thing for indexed shifting.
Advise that you return the Octo V2 bb and buy a new or good used triple crankset and the correct BB for it. Plenty of solid 80’s era Deore trIples out there that take a square taper bb that will last basically forever.
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09-27-21, 03:33 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
Everything you're saying should be true.However the NDS crank seats the tangs perfectly snuggly with no damage to the crank,I tried it on the new 5500 BB and there was play.Regarding the deepness or offset the shifting is perfect.Do I have a weird 6500 crank with compatability to v2 and not V!?I"m totally confused.During installation I have no sense at all that I'm forcing anything and except for a feint click when pedalling I never would have taken it apart to begin with. I think I'm going to try to find another Ultegra crank and compare it with what I have and install it with the Vi BB and see what happens.
09-27-21, 04:04 PM
#18
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New development.I removed The drive side crank to compare it with pics on Ebay and the innards are clearly mashed up compared to the same cranks on Ebay.!I assume its pretty easy to reshape aluminum with enough force so the NDS crank doesnt even look messed up!And seats the crank well.So I'm definitely looking for a new crank to go with my new V1 BB!Any one got one?Ultegra 6500 9speed triple.
Look!
Look!
09-27-21, 04:09 PM
#19
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Do I have a weird 6500 crank with compatability to v2 and not V!?I"m totally confused.During installation I have no sense at all that I'm forcing anything and except for a feint click when pedalling I never would have taken it apart to begin with. I think I'm going to try to find another Ultegra crank and compare it with what I have and install it with the Vi BB and see what happens.
Unless you are the original owner your weird 6500 crank may have been force fit onto a V2 BB by a previous owner. If you are the original owner, Lance may have had a hand in the assembly.
From what I understand, it is possible to get about 1mm of spline engaged at which point the crank will no longer deform. A close inspection should indicate this.
Now what is not known is whether you can continue to use the crank with the V2 without any future issues, or if there is enough material on the crank so a V1 will work.
As a SWAG theory, only, I suppose it is possible to make a go/no-go gauge and patiently file the crank splines so that more material will deform and provide a better interface with the BB. I think the V2 BB splines are .4mm (.015”) wider. If you knew how slightly undersized the crank needed to be you could go one by one.
John
Last edited by 70sSanO; 09-27-21 at 04:14 PM.
09-27-21, 05:06 PM
#20
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I probably could ride it the way it is for years without ill effect but have decided to get rid of the old combo and installing the proper one.I put in an offer for a compatible Shimano 105 crank and am waiting response.
