Octtalink BB for90 era Trek 2200 composite?

[Sue Radd]

Hi -
I'm looking for an Octalink compatible BB that would fit an early 90s
era Trek 2200 composite. I tried an new Shimano English BB5500 and it
didn't seem to fit properly. The existing BB is square taper and I
believe the model is UN53. is it possible that trek was using Italian
threads at the time, or -- the more likely scenario - I took a SWAG
at what I thought should fit a Shimano 105-equipped bike. The bike is
a double, and the BB I tried was spec'ed as follows: 68, 1.37x24.
109.5 mm.

This bike really needs that new black crankset for imminent winter
riding. :-|

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Chalo]

Sue Radd wrote:
>
> I'm looking for an Octalink compatible BB that would fit an early 90s
> era Trek 2200 composite. I tried an new Shimano English BB5500 and it
> didn't seem to fit properly. The existing BB is square taper and I
> believe the model is UN53. is it possible that trek was using Italian
> threads at the time, or -- the more likely scenario - I took a SWAG
> at what I thought should fit a Shimano 105-equipped bike. The bike is
> a double, and the BB I tried was spec'ed as follows: 68, 1.37x24.
> 109.5 mm.

1.37x24 is normal English threading. Are you sure you didn't try to
put the new BB in backwards (LH threads in the RH threaded end of the
shell)? If the threads are boogered up, you can have a shop chase
them to good condition again.

I hope you aren't spending very much money on an Octalink crank.

Chalo

[Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com]

On Sep 7, 11:32 pm, Sue Radd <suer...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi -
> I'm looking for an Octalink compatible BB that would fit an early 90s
> era Trek 2200 composite. I tried an new Shimano English BB5500 and it
> didn't seem to fit properly. The existing BB is square taper and I
> believe the model is UN53. is it possible that trek was using Italian
> threads at the time, or -- the more likely scenario - I took a SWAG
> at what I thought should fit a Shimano 105-equipped bike. The bike is
> a double, and the BB I tried was spec'ed as follows: 68, 1.37x24.
> 109.5 mm.
>
> This bike really needs that new black crankset for imminent winter
> riding. :-|
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!

Should work..take it to a bike shop and ensure the threads are cleaned
out with a proper tap..

[Sue Radd]

> I hope you aren't spending very much money on an Octalink crank.
>
> Chalo

naw, got it dirt cheap. That's whay I'm looking for a BB, rather than
*another* new crankset to accommodate an outdated square-taper BB.

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Sep 8, 1:19 am, Sue Radd <suer...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > I hope you aren't spending very much money on an Octalink crank.
>
> > Chalo
>
> naw, got it dirt cheap. That's whay I'm looking for a BB, rather than
> *another* new crankset to accommodate an outdated square-taper BB.

Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.

[A Muzi]

>> Chalo
>>> I hope you aren't spending very much money on an Octalink crank.

> Sue Radd <suer...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>> naw, got it dirt cheap. That's whay I'm looking for a BB, rather than
>> *another* new crankset to accommodate an outdated square-taper BB.

Ozark Bicycle wrote:
> Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
> Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.

Truly. Isn't that already the case with Type I ?

We service ancient (older than our shop even!) BBs periodically, which
have seen extreme mileage, still free running and smooth with periodic
service. One not-mentioned feature is 'fault tolerance'. A traditional
BB set (even more, OPC!) will be more likely to ride home in any event.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Sue Radd]

On Sep 8, 3:54 am, Ozark Bicycle
<bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com> wrote:
>
> Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
> Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.

OK, maybe I phrased that wrong :-)

I'm actually more concerned with the crankset than I am with the BB --
some of the teeth are getting worn, etc. When I examined the BB upon
removal, it still seemed pretty smooth. Just thought it would be a
good idea to replace the whole shebang at once.

So, does anyone know of a reasonably priced double crankset that will
accommodate my bulletproof square-taper BB?

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Sep 8, 11:06 am, A Muzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> >> Chalo
> >>> I hope you aren't spending very much money on an Octalink crank.
> > Sue Radd <suer...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >> naw, got it dirt cheap. That's whay I'm looking for a BB, rather than
> >> *another* new crankset to accommodate an outdated square-taper BB.
> Ozark Bicycle wrote:
> > Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
> > Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.
>
> Truly. Isn't that already the case with Type I ?

The patient has expired; flowers and condolences to Shimano
Corporation, Osaka, Japan.

>
> We service ancient (older than our shop even!) BBs periodically, which
> have seen extreme mileage, still free running and smooth with periodic
> service. One not-mentioned feature is 'fault tolerance'. A traditional
> BB set (even more, OPC!) will be more likely to ride home in any event.
> --
> Andrew Muziwww.yellowjersey.org
> Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Sep 8, 11:44 am, Sue Radd <suer...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> On Sep 8, 3:54 am, Ozark Bicycle
>
> <bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com> wrote:
>
> > Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
> > Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.
>
> OK, maybe I phrased that wrong :-)
>
> I'm actually more concerned with the crankset than I am with the BB --
> some of the teeth are getting worn, etc. When I examined the BB upon
> removal, it still seemed pretty smooth. Just thought it would be a
> good idea to replace the whole shebang at once.
>
> So, does anyone know of a reasonably priced double crankset that will
> accommodate my bulletproof square-taper BB?

Look at Sugino and the remaining Campy square taper cranks (if you
don't balk at the proprietary Campy bolt circle).

Seriously, cranks generally out last BBs. Investing in a crankset to
fit a "one foot in the grave" design such as Octalink seems
shortsighted.

[jim beam]

Sue Radd wrote:
> On Sep 8, 3:54 am, Ozark Bicycle
> <bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com> wrote:
>> Those "outdated square-taper" BBs will still be extant long after
>> Octastink has been relegated to the dustbin.
>
> OK, maybe I phrased that wrong :-)
>
> I'm actually more concerned with the crankset than I am with the BB --
> some of the teeth are getting worn, etc. When I examined the BB upon
> removal, it still seemed pretty smooth. Just thought it would be a
> good idea to replace the whole shebang at once.
>
> So, does anyone know of a reasonably priced double crankset that will
> accommodate my bulletproof square-taper BB?
>
but you can buy bb5500's easily - and will be able to do so as long as
shimano still sell octalink cranks - which they do. and license
octalink to other manufacturers - which they do.

[Hank Wirtz]

On Sep 8, 10:38 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:

> but you can buy bb5500's easily - and will be able to do so as long as
> shimano still sell octalink cranks - which they do.

Not for long. In 2008, the only groups left using Octalink are Alivio
and Acera. And the BB-5500 isn't compatible with either.

[Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com]

On Sep 8, 12:14 pm, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net> wrote:
> On Sep 8, 10:38 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>
> > but you can buy bb5500's easily - and will be able to do so as long as
> > shimano still sell octalink cranks - which they do.
>
> Not for long. In 2008, the only groups left using Octalink are Alivio
> and Acera. And the BB-5500 isn't compatible with either.

True Alivio and Acera use the big spline Octalink like those found on
older XT/Deore...and yes to Octalink cranks, no to Octalink BBs,AFA
licensing, which this discussion is about.