I've been using a Campy triple now for quite a long time and I've played with BB's. The first one that worked well was a Campy cyclocross BB axle with the old thinner cups and a 1 mm fixed side spacer. Perfect minimal clearance with the BB and chain stay and with the triple you do want it as close as possible for chainline. Trouble was the old axle and cups aren't as hard as the newer stuff and both cup and axle didn't last.
I had a phil BB, but with the bearings so far inboard, it worked but didn't feel as solid as I wanted. The chain seemed to rub the derailleur cage a bit easier than I liked. I've now got two bikes set up with a straight ti axle, no name american made, with American Classic sealed bearing cups. The axle has an aluminum sleeve glued to it at the right length to space the cups and offer some adjustment laterally because there is no fixed cup. The frame builder who did that work for me is no longer with us, so I'm not sure how to replicate that. He had a box full of axles and cups.
I have noticed a TA needle bearing BB on e-bay recently. That was one I'd wanted to get years ago, but only had heard of it, never found any way to hook up with one. I've also just seen an old Bullseye ad in a 1989 magazine I was perusing and that made me wonder. Someone recently said that Roger Durham of Bullseye was still in business and that his cranksets were supposed to be bulletproof. To quote: "Though he has been at it for more than 30 years, Durham is still cranking out new parts. He recently redesigned his famous steel crankset to increase its durability. The cranks retail for $150 and come in lengths from 135 to 235 millimeters." "It will now take a 2,000-pound load, 1,000 pounds on each arm, before it begins to yield. And it's the bottom bracket axle that yields, twisting like a banana. A very safe place to yield," he said." Sounds like hollow steel, but If he's still using square taper axles, maybe he could make up a perfect BB for a triple.
I've got another Stronglight 49D triple I'd like to get a proper english BB for. A TA BB seems to put the crank just a bit farther out than I want.
I've got a phone number for Bullseye, though I've never called. Give it a try: 800-874-0600 The address I've got is: 57460 Encelia Dr. Yucca Valley, Ca. 92284
Good luck w/ yours, and Happy trails,
Dan Artley in Parkton, MD
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Bruce : RE: Appropriate substitute for the Campagnolo Triple Spindle ... 119mm +5R Phil Wood BB assy and Cups (pre 1978 crankarms). Tweakable chainline. IMO, it was a good solution back in the day, and continues to be a no-apology-vintage-correct solution today. Tory Werne Woodstock, Georgia USA