Bottom Bracket

How can I get what length of spindles I need to get the correct chain line for a 1994 Specialized Stumpjumper frame. It did not come with a BB.

Here is what I have tried so far to get this information.
1) Tried googling it, found a specialized website/forum and tried to post a question and it wont allow me to.
2) Found the specs from Bikepedia, but it wont list the specs of the BB, just that its Shimano.

I measured the BB to be 73mm, but I have no clue what length of spindle to get. I guess this is the downside to buying just the frame.

I was looking at the same frame. I found that the crankset was Shimano Deore LX. If that helps...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIMANO-DEORE-LX-FC-M572-175-44-32-22-TRIPLE-CRANK-SET-ENGLISH-BOTTOM-BRACKET-/281829235042?hash=item419e54d962:g:RIIAAOSwYHxWH-ok

Yes thats the information I got as well, Shimano LX.
That link provided, says the arms are Hollowtech, not sure if those were around 20 years ago.

I am not sure how close I am suppose to get to the original spindle length for proper chain alignment and clearence.

Shimano Bottom Bracket - Un26 - 73 x 122.5mm, Square Taper
Shimano Bottom Bracket - Un26 - 73 x 113mm, Square Taper

Shimano Bb-Es25 Cartridge Bottom Bracket, 73x126mm, Octalink
5mm difference
Shimano Bb-Es25 Cartridge Bottom Bracket, 73x121mm,Octalink
3mm difference
Shimano Bb-Es25 Cartridge Bottom Bracket, 73x118mm, Octalink
5mm difference
Shimano Bb-Es25 Cartridge Bottom Bracket, 73x113mm, Octalink

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I was also wondering if a stock rear 160 Avid BB5 disc brake bracket would work for a 180 front as I see some aftermarket are dual rated like F180/R160. It'd be nice to have stock 160, then 180 and/or 200/203 available.

http://sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

107-113mm

Shimano Deore LX
Deore LX M550 Triple 122.5 Square 110/74 1990-1992
Deore LX M560 Triple 113-118 Square 110/74 1993
Deore LX M563 Triple 107-113 Square 47.5-50 94/58 Compact 1994-96
Deore LX M569 Spiderless 107-113 Square 47.5-50 1997-98
Deore LX M570 Spiderless 110-113 Square 1999
Deore LX M571 Spiderless 113-118 V2 Spline 9-speed 2000-04
Deore LX M580, M581 Spiderless Hollowtech II 50 9-speed 2005

Click to expand...

Confirmation
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=181068

Buy a spindle on Amazon Prime and send it back if it's a no fit.

Karma, now at a dead end trying to sort a Marin Stinson Euro frame spindle length...
Looks like my own advice since measuring seems daunting.

Did you solve?

I never solved it. I bought that bike as a frame only and fork it was all steel so good for ebike conversion. Couldnt figure out the length of the spindles. Spent a few hours searching the web. That frame ended up in the dumpster because of Spring Cleaning. The only thing that comes to mind now is you just gotta guess and install.

markz said:

I never solved it. I bought that bike as a frame only and fork it was all steel so good for ebike conversion. Couldnt figure out the length of the spindles. Spent a few hours searching the web. That frame ended up in the dumpster because of Spring Cleaning. The only thing that comes to mind now is you just gotta guess and install.

Click to expand...

Thanks! With some searching I found the frame used a Truativ BB and all were 113MM. I should be good with a Shimano 68mm X 113mm. BUT, I'd sure like to learn more for the next build...

bb spindle length depends on what cranks are used, bb shell width, and chainstay shape.. over the years crank arms came with more offset in the arms and interface, allowing for shorter spindle length, thus making the bb / cranks stronger, stiffer and lighter..