English or Italian?

[eraser]

Hi All. 

 

I wonder if someone can help me.  I have a Raleigh RC 6000 Carbon 2007 model road bike and would like to replace the standard 105 crankset for a Fulcrum RS compact carbon crankset I saw advertised online. 

 

However I dont know whether my frame accepts English or Italian threads, if Fulcrum cranks are compatible with my 105 chain, cassette and deraillers and if there are any other possible pitfalls I am unaware of?  Would I have to shorten the chain?  Also is there anything I should be concerned about ordering online?

 

Your advise would be much appreciated.

 

 

 

[Minion]

 

It's a new bike so it's most likely English (ISO) threaded (Note: don't go by the frame nationality - even new Bianchis have English thread bottom brackets (BBs) ).

 

You can also check by:

1.) Measuring the width of the BB. English thread will be 68mm, Italian 70mm.

2.) Removing the current BB cups. On an English BB, the drive-side cup will have a left-hand (opposite) thread. The other will be right-threaded (same idea as with your pedals). On Italian, both are right-threaded.

3.) Measuring the thread diameter. A bit pointless given that you would have had to do 2.) to get here, but English will have a diameter of about 35mm and Italian 36mm.

 

Read http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#threading for more.

 

As far as ordering online is concerned, it depends on where you order from. Total Cycling and Chain Reaction Cycles are both good. Just watch out for the 14%VAT you may have to pay on the invoiced amount.

 

Edman2008-05-24 15:16:06

[The Guy in Pink]

As far as ordering online is concerned' date=' it depends on where you order from. Total Cycling and Chain Reaction Cycles are both good. Just watch out for the 14%VAT you may have to pay on the invoiced amount.
[/quote']

The Bonus is that you are not charged the 17%  British VAT. So the Prices you see on the  Totalcycling website are reduced by 17%

[Minion]

 

The Bonus is that you are not charged the 17%  British VAT. So the Prices you see on the  Totalcycling website are reduced by 17%

 

If you select to display the prices in Rand, it removes the 17.5% VAT for you. Really cool site with excellent prices.

 

[eraser]

Thanks a lot guys, this is really helpful.  Can you use Campag/Fulcrum cranks with a Shimano setup?

[Racer X]

Yes you can. Just go Fulcrum, if you go Campy you will be burnt at the stake by the obsessive Campag followers.

[eraser]

Thats true, I'll go fulcrum, thanks mate