Somewhat Urgent - Is this spindle worn?

[themidge]

The title pretty much says it all. I'm piecing together a cannnondale hollowgram crankset (spindle+arms+spider etc.) and can pick up this spindle for a pretty good price. My question is is it worn? The description says it's "used but in good condition" but I have little experience with this kind of thing. It looks like it might be a little worn to me, but hopefully someone can enlighten me.

Thanks,
TheMidge

[Calnago]

It is worn and in terrible condition. Like throw away condition.
What size spindle are you looking for?... the 104mm with the flange, or the 109mm without the flange. Or the SRM 104mm version with flange, but milled down a bit. I know I have one lying around, I think it's the standard 104mm version.

[themidge]

I think I need a regular 104mm spindle, maybe. It'd be for a regular 68mm Cannondale BB30 with the regular spider (for attaching chainrings) which I think is narrower than the SpideRing. Thanks for the offer, but IIRC you're in the US. I'd rather shop within the UK/Europe to avoid the whole customs madness, these come up fairly regularly and I'm in no great rush in piecing together this crankset.

[hambini]

If you have hardened bearings against an aluminium axle it is going to leave track marks on the surface.

I don't think it's categoric to say it's in terrible condition and should be thrown away without measuring it and having a look at the track marks. You really need a better picture.

Hambini

[Calnago]

I don't know what kind of resolution you're using to look at this picture (phone maybe?), but from what I can see there's way more than just "track marks" happening, especially looking at the lower right. That's definitely a "throwaway" in my mind.

[alcatraz]

Maybe it still has some mileage left in it.

How much money are you gambling with?

/a

[jlok]

how to avoid those track marks? softer bearings?

[TobinHatesYou]

If you have hardened bearings against an aluminium axle it is going to leave track marks on the surface.

I don't think it's categoric to say it's in terrible condition and should be thrown away without measuring it and having a look at the track marks. You really need a better picture.

Hambini

^ This.

1) Clean as much gunk off the spindle as possible.
2) Get a better FoV with your camera...closer and not an oblique angle
3) Put a sheet of white paper under the spindle when you take the photo.

[hambini]

I don't know what kind of resolution you're using to look at this picture (phone maybe?), but from what I can see there's way more than just "track marks" happening, especially looking at the lower right. That's definitely a "throwaway" in my mind.

The uploaded resolution is 640 x 480 and I'm looking at it on a monitor that is 4k.

1) Clean as much gunk off the spindle as possible.
2) Get a better FoV with your camera...closer and not an oblique angle
3) Put a sheet of white paper under the spindle when you take the photo.

This is good guidance and I'd add to take the photo at higher resolution if you are going to upload it.

how to avoid those track marks? softer bearings?

If you buy decent bearings they are always hardened. The best way to stop the track marks is use a bottom bracket that has been designed with a sleeve between the bearing and axle (Shimano). On 30mm axles it's usually a direct fit between the axle and bearing in which case my suggestion would be to buy bearings that are a decent fit.

HTH

Hambini

[themidge]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
It's on ebay so I don't actually have the spindle, and that's the only photo. I think I'll pass it up, no use buying something that wears out that's already worn even a small amount (minor scratches would be okay but to me it looks a bit too groovy ( ). As I said, I'm in no great rush and they aren't super rare or anything (or super expensive new, I think I can still get the right length).
Thanks,
TheMidge

P.S. I can post the biggest image Flickr allows if anyone wants.

[Calnago]

I used a poor choice of words, in "resolution" earlier. It's bad resolution for sure, but I don't think you even need better resolution to come to the conclusion that this spindle is ready for the garbage bin... this is just a crop of the part that makes me come to my conclusion. Any response otherwise just reminds me of the Monty Python skit... It's just a "flesh wound". Lol...

[alcatraz]

I'm wondering how such a deep groove can develop and on only one side?

One of the bearings must be moving or be at an angle.

It seems to be a design of hollowgram axles though, to be a bit softer than the arms. Could it be to protect the arm/axle interface?

If it's not a groove. Could it simply be a leaking bearing seal? Bearing retaining compound? Maybe the bearing was serviced without taking it out and leaking solvent and bearing grease.

/a

[Marin]

How are you seing a groove in this pic?

From this pic I could never tell whether this is gunk that wipes off, shallow scratches in the anodising, or actual removal of metal.

In my experience, you should be able to run an axle like this without problems if you know what you're doing, but should you buy it with only the pic as information? Probably not unless it's cheap and your only option.