The Chainlink

American to Euro Bottom Bracket Adapter Problem

So I got decided to upgrade my early 80's Schwinn Continental fixie conversion's cranks. (and bottom bracket of course)

I got the Truvative American to Euro bottom bracket adapter, but I can't get it to work. As this photo hopefully illustrates, two out of three of the screws don't fit. Unless I'm missing something?


Here is the other side of the adapter with the screws, just for your reference.


Has anyone used this on other old Schwinns? I had the impression that the bottom bracket housing was pretty standard on these old bikes? Is that inner band of steel an anomaly on the Continental?

Thanks for any (constructive) suggestions or insights.

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Permalink Reply by Barry on November 13, 2009 at 6:07pm
sorry if this is obvious but I'd just take a dremel tool to that mofo, grind out the offending bits.

good luck Tony
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on November 13, 2009 at 8:01pm
As long as the shell fits your adapter correctly---it is just that ring in the way---I was gonna suggest the same thing as Barry.

I'd like to see a pic of the cup you took out on the original crank. They might have put, essentially, two "pins" to hold position on the cup. The idea being that if the torque overcame the press fit friction, the pins would still hold it in place.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on November 14, 2009 at 8:54am
Well, the adapter is a very tight fit. It does not drop in. I cobbled together a press with a huge bolt, a nut and some really large washers which I had planned to use to solve the does not quite fit problem. I think, using that I'll be able to get the two sides of the adapter close enough together - if I can solve the inner band problem.

Dremel? really? I appreciate the suggestion, and I have one, but I've never used it to cut anything that uh, ambitious. I'm also a bit apprehensive about removing that much metal from those rings. Isn't it possible that that would undermine the structural integrity a bit? I know the thing is a tank...

Anyway, here are a couple shots of the cups as requested. There were no pins.


And here is a shot of the one piece crank with the bearings and chainrings and locknut and stuff still attached, in case anyone is curious about what was at the center of those old bikes.




Arrak Thumrs said:
As long as the shell fits your adapter correctly---it is just that ring in the way---I was gonna suggest the same thing as Barry.

I'd like to see a pic of the cup you took out on the original crank. They might have put, essentially, two "pins" to hold position on the cup. The idea being that if the torque overcame the press fit friction, the pins would still hold it in place.
Permalink Reply by Barry on November 14, 2009 at 10:17am
Tony I found a blog discussing a Truvativ conversion kit install on an old Schwinn with the ridge in the BB shell. He was updating a 1942 Schwinn New World.

The author decided to grind the Truvativ cups instead of the frame. Looks like he got everything to work out in the end.
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on November 14, 2009 at 3:24pm
Tony, if you are honestly concerned about grinding it out, send me a PM (or whatever they call the personal email's on Chainlink). I have a lathe, mill, arbor press. I can also accurately check the press fit compatibility if you would like.

That frame is, as you say, a tank. A small ridge of no structural bearing is of no consequence to your safety.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on November 15, 2009 at 10:02pm
Oh cripes - as long as you're not grinding into the shell wall you'll be just fine. If you're using the cups a little notch out of the inner bearing race from the old bb will be a winner.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on November 26, 2009 at 11:16am
I finally got this all together. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help! I ended up filing channels with a file and also grinding a bit with a dremmel.

Here is a big thread on bikeforums.net about it or the short version on my humble blog.

Now if I can just stop breaking spokes I'll have the perfect (for me) year-round forty five pound beater fixie conversion.

Permalink Reply by Alan Matejka on November 26, 2009 at 11:37am
Maybe your spokes are a bit too tight.

Tony Adams said:
I finally got this all together. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help! I ended up filing channels with a file and also grinding a bit with a dremmel.

Here is a big thread on bikeforums.net about it or the short version on my humble blog.

Now if I can just stop breaking spokes I'll have the perfect (for me) year-round forty five pound beater fixie conversion.

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