Originally Posted by
Padston
My JH Wilson steel frame currently has a 52/42 on the front and 11/32 on the rear. I live in the Peak District so some of the hill climbs are a real challenge with the current setup. Does anyone know of a replacement that might make it a bit easier? A 50/34 or 52/36 etc?
I'm after an older looking solution as the bike is from the 70s/80s.
Thanks
Welcome to BikeForums. There are quite a few classic-looking cranks with smaller BCDs to allow smaller chainrings. Lots of older (and newer) 110mm BCD Sugino cranks make a nice compact double. There is a Holdsworth-branded one that looks very classic Campy. Velo-Orange sells a few 110mm BCD and 50.4mm BCD (TA copy) models, the latter giving you 46/30 chainrings.
I've found that going small on the chainrings doesn't necessarily provoke comments from people unless I deliberately draw attention to them. Being able to keep up with the faster riders in the group speaks for itself.
