Well, I actually used the bearings packaged with the 2000 BB, which seem to run quite smoothly in the Criterium cups. I have three different editions of Sutherland's and none mention any Zeus BB having anything other than 1/4" balls. The only 7/32 BB bearings mentioned are 1990 Campy Record. But then, Sutherland's isn't infallible.
I'll go back and measure some of the 2000 BB bearings. Of course it is possible both 2000 and Criterium used 7/32.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
John Thompson <johndthompson@gmail.com> wrote:
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
> I'm currently building up my early 80's Cuevas with Spanish
> components. I have a Zeus 2000 BB I bought cheap from BC because it
> is French thread, although even the French ones are no longer cheap.
> The Cuevas, of course, is English, so I substituted steel Zeus
> Criterium English cups for the Ti 2000 ones, No problem, perfecly
> compatible, took the same baerings. And I've never heard of Zeus Ti
> BB axles breaking. As I've said before, Zeus made much better and
> more intelligent use of Ti than Campy did. Some badmouth Zeus as
> cheap Camoy copies, but the Zeus 2000 gruppo was much different from
> and superior to the problem-plagued early Campy SR gruppos.
I have 2 Zeus 2000 BBs here; they both use 7/32" balls. The spindle and cups are both Titanium, with press-fitted ground and polished steel races.
But I agree, they are very nice, certainly nicer than Campy's Super Record Ti BBs.
Stronglight also made a Ti BB, but their's was arguable even nicer, since the spindle (except for the taper where the arms mount) was a wider diameter than a standard BB spindle. Sealed cartridge bearings were held by Aluminum cups, making a very strong and light unit.
--
John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA