TA single crank conversion
#1
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
TA single crank conversion
I want to single-ize my favorite crankset, my TA cyclotourist for a commuter build. It's a triple now. Am I going to run into any problems with this, or is it as simple as just slapping a single chainring on there? It'll be a 1x8 with a chainguard to keep the chain from falling off, so I'm not too concerned about chainline. I seem to recall @noglider did this with a TA with tiny crank arms, but I think that was an IGH setup.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#2
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Might as well fix the chainline while you have the crank off. Shouldn't be too hard to measure what you have and order a BB with the right length.
#3
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
It's moving to a different frame anyway. Do I just shoot for the middle of the cassette?
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#4
Banned
Outer minus the others will do . BB length is what you pick for the chain line.
maybe just move the outer to the inside of the right crank arm. rather than fitting it thru the chainring.
maybe just move the outer to the inside of the right crank arm. rather than fitting it thru the chainring.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-28-14 at 03:46 PM.
#5
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
I want to single-ize my favorite crankset, my TA cyclotourist for a commuter build. It's a triple now. Am I going to run into any problems with this, or is it as simple as just slapping a single chainring on there? It'll be a 1x8 with a chainguard to keep the chain from falling off, so I'm not too concerned about chainline. I seem to recall @noglider did this with a TA with tiny crank arms, but I think that was an IGH setup.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 787
Bikes: a few that I can't recall
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 346 Post(s)
Liked 302 Times
in
147 Posts
I want to single-ize my favorite crankset, my TA cyclotourist for a commuter build. It's a triple now. Am I going to run into any problems with this, or is it as simple as just slapping a single chainring on there? It'll be a 1x8 with a chainguard to keep the chain from falling off, so I'm not too concerned about chainline. I seem to recall @noglider did this with a TA with tiny crank arms, but I think that was an IGH setup.
Additionally, after a bit of math, if I use the master ring on the front (53), I would need to use a completely silly rear freewheel that looks like a spoke guard. So, I am cutting off each of the six arms, radiusing the ends, and bolting the middle ring (44) only to what is remaining, like an external spider. I think this will look Klunkerish, without being obtrusive or silly, and have a good chainline
Alternatively, I think you or I could bolt a TA "copy", Ticinoi, on the the 5 bolt arm itself, available in a 42.
Although the Ticoni could arguably be a few mm outward on the chainline, but going from 44 to 42 might let you ride on 16 instead of 18 in the rear, curing itself.
#7
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
That would probably work... if you're going with a standard single-speed rear hub, I'd shoot for 42mm between the centerline of the seat tube and the chainring.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
Noglider's not the only one
Works a charm, and you can mount the ring on the inside or outside of the crank arm, helping out with chainline and chainguard clearance issues. Another trick you can do, if you're real close and don't want to pony up for a new, longer spindle, is add a spacer or two between the fixed cup and the bottom bracket. That's what I ended up doing. Good enough for now, until I get a new, longer spindle.
Works a charm, and you can mount the ring on the inside or outside of the crank arm, helping out with chainline and chainguard clearance issues. Another trick you can do, if you're real close and don't want to pony up for a new, longer spindle, is add a spacer or two between the fixed cup and the bottom bracket. That's what I ended up doing. Good enough for now, until I get a new, longer spindle.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#9
Senior Member
Yes, lots of people have singlicized TA cranks. Here's mine. I did not change the BB, and the chain line is not perfect with the SA IGH, but it's close enough. The Q factor is still ridiculously low anyway, like 135mm.
You can find yourself a large outer ring (at least several teeth larger than your desired single ring, which would be the inner ring) and mill down the teeth, turning it into a chain guard. I've seen this done to TA cranks and it works very nicely!
You can find yourself a large outer ring (at least several teeth larger than your desired single ring, which would be the inner ring) and mill down the teeth, turning it into a chain guard. I've seen this done to TA cranks and it works very nicely!
#10
Senior Member
Noglider's not the only one
Works a charm, and you can mount the ring on the inside or outside of the crank arm, helping out with chainline and chainguard clearance issues. Another trick you can do, if you're real close and don't want to pony up for a new, longer spindle, is add a spacer or two between the fixed cup and the bottom bracket. That's what I ended up doing. Good enough for now, until I get a new, longer spindle.
Works a charm, and you can mount the ring on the inside or outside of the crank arm, helping out with chainline and chainguard clearance issues. Another trick you can do, if you're real close and don't want to pony up for a new, longer spindle, is add a spacer or two between the fixed cup and the bottom bracket. That's what I ended up doing. Good enough for now, until I get a new, longer spindle.
#11
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
I'm actually going with an 8 speed cassette with a rear derailleur. Considering the middle chainring position works pretty well now with the entire range of the freewheel as a triple, I'll probably take the above advice and mount an outer ring to the inside.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,158
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,699 Times
in
2,611 Posts
Or guy with Nervar, the poor man's TA:
#13
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
I am doing the same thing, for a vintage look Klunker (1946 Schwinn DX), and the TA cranks look perfect and "period correct", but I don't want a front derailleur.
Additionally, after a bit of math, if I use the master ring on the front (53), I would need to use a completely silly rear freewheel that looks like a spoke guard. So, I am cutting off each of the six arms, radiusing the ends, and bolting the middle ring (44) only to what is remaining, like an external spider. I think this will look Klunkerish, without being obtrusive or silly, and have a good chainline
Alternatively, I think you or I could bolt a TA "copy", Ticinoi, on the the 5 bolt arm itself, available in a 42.
Although the Ticoni could arguably be a few mm outward on the chainline, but going from 44 to 42 might let you ride on 16 instead of 18 in the rear, curing itself.
Additionally, after a bit of math, if I use the master ring on the front (53), I would need to use a completely silly rear freewheel that looks like a spoke guard. So, I am cutting off each of the six arms, radiusing the ends, and bolting the middle ring (44) only to what is remaining, like an external spider. I think this will look Klunkerish, without being obtrusive or silly, and have a good chainline
Alternatively, I think you or I could bolt a TA "copy", Ticinoi, on the the 5 bolt arm itself, available in a 42.
Although the Ticoni could arguably be a few mm outward on the chainline, but going from 44 to 42 might let you ride on 16 instead of 18 in the rear, curing itself.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
Last edited by icepick_trotsky; 10-28-14 at 07:33 PM.
#14
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
D'oh, I've had FG/SS on the brain lately. Yeah -- shoot for the middle of the cassette.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#16
Senior Member
#17
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
Hey, I own that bike now, don't i?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#18
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,054 Times
in
1,254 Posts
1 X 2 IGH with a bash ring.
#19
No one cares
anther single TA chainring user here. Sorry for the crappy pic, not to mention the lose chain
__________________
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
#20
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Reno nevada
Posts: 787
Bikes: a few that I can't recall
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 346 Post(s)
Liked 302 Times
in
147 Posts
Works a charm, and you can mount the ring on the inside or outside of the crank arm, helping out with chainline and chainguard clearance issues. Another trick you can do, if you're real close and don't want to pony up for a new, longer spindle, is add a spacer or two between the fixed cup and the bottom bracket. That's what I ended up doing. Good enough for now, until I get a new, longer spindle.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,158
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,699 Times
in
2,611 Posts
#23
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
Hey @noglider and @southpawboston, what spindle length are you running on yours? I'm moving from a french-threaded frame to and english-threaded, so I'll have to replace the BB.
Also paging @rhm, @-holiday76, and @Lascauxcaveman, plus anyone else I've missed.
Also paging @rhm, @-holiday76, and @Lascauxcaveman, plus anyone else I've missed.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#24
Senior Member
Hey @noglider and @southpawboston, what spindle length are you running on yours? I'm moving from a french-threaded frame to and english-threaded, so I'll have to replace the BB.
Also paging @rhm, @-holiday76, and @Lascauxcaveman, plus anyone else I've missed.
Also paging @rhm, @-holiday76, and @Lascauxcaveman, plus anyone else I've missed.
#25
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
I don't know. The Viscount is using the original Viscount BB, and I didn't measure it.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.