CRs:
Regarding axle or spindle, I've found that the two have been somewhat interchangible within bicycle lingo. So, I thought I'd check the dictionary:
Per the Compact Edition of the Oxford English dictionary, Eighteenth printing in the United States, August 1979:
Axle: The centre-pin or spindle upon which a wheel revolves, or which revolves along with it.
Spindle: A rod, usually of iron or other metal, serving as an axis upon which, or by means of which, something revolves or is turned round.
So, I'm still not clear either. I recall a bicycle magazine article from years ago which defined the usage as BB axle (the shaft turned, and the item around it remained stationary) and a hub spindle (the shaft remained stationary, and the item around it rotated).
Does anyone else have an "industry" definition?
Andrew Gillis (Long Beach, CA)