Antieverything

Anyone out there know if there are smaller inner rings available? Or what the BCD is? Not sure of the model year, it came with a 70 Paramount that had original Campy NR parts. Right now it's a 54/42/36, just would like to drop down as much as possible (if it's possible). Thanks

JohnDThompson 

Campagnolo only made a 36T ring for this 100mm BCD. The bolt circle can use a smaller ring, and Jim Merz made a 31T ring to fit. Very rare, these days.

juvela

Jim Merz also made a 30T.

Antieverything

Thanks guys!

juvela

last I heard Jim was working for/with Michael Sinyard. other readers may have more current information...

discovered a Jim Merz web site but it is someone else - interesting all the same:

Jim Merz Kinetic Sculpture

crank_addict

Go nutz and shop for a Mountain Tamer conversion. The trick is making sure the front derailleur cage is compatible. Wall climber you say? The other issue is going so low that you end up at below walking speeds and fall over. The big users and for practical sense are recumbent riders. They might be able to help guide in your needs.

jonwvara 

If it's a 144 bcd crank, you can install a 42-tooth triplizer ring in place of the original middle ring, which lets you bolt any 74 bcd granny ring directly to the second ring. That way you can use an inner ring as small as 24 teeth. Check www.redclovercomponents for more information. Full disclosure: Red Clover Components, c'est moi--see my signature line, below.
JV

juvela

framebulder Bernie Mikkelsen also offered these adaptor c/w's.

Antieverything

I might just get some Soma NR dérailleur cages and run a 14-32 freewheel. That sounds like a simpler option. I'll save the ultra low triple set up for a non Campy touring bike I plan to build later.

Steamer

I recently got one of Jon's Red Clover 144BCD tripleizers and I am pleased. It's very well made, highly polished, and went together pretty easily (with a BB swap out, of course). Looks classy on my NR Strada crank. Did my first ride on it yesterday, on a very hilly route I normally avoid on that bike, and it was great.

I was surprised and happy to find I don't need to swap out my front changer when going to the triple.

fietsbob

Gippiemme made a Triple crank. used the 86mm Bcd for the 3rd chainring (Stronglight was using that one too )
GPM beefed up the spider so the holes are un seen, from the outside.

one sits in a bin , in my basement. for several years now I rigged it as a 52-36, inner 2 of 3 , <C> CX chainguard outer .

jeirvine 

Avocat/Ofmega also made a triple based on 144bcd outers, and two different inner bcd options: 74 or 102.

american psycho 

seems you could CNC upa few Campy inner triple rings in different sizes, since you're in the business, Red Clover Components - Home

jonwvara 

That's a thought. The thing is, it's not practical for me to make things in very small quantities--they become much too expensive. If I were to make a duplicate of the Merz design, I'd probably have to sell it for more than it would cost to track down an unused original.

jeirvine 

These guys make a 5-bolt 94bcd ring. I wonder if they could drill a 32t (or so) ring to be 100BCD?

juvela

purchased two of these new and can attest to their excellent quality and very fine finish. iirc they were part of the Crono Special road ensemble.

fietsbob

These could be a tandem stokers rear final drive too..

Antieverything

Let me throw this one out there...if I have a Strada triple and I swap it out for a Gran Sport triple can I use the existing bb?

onespeedbiker

It looks promising; both use a 117mm spindle. The Gran Sport triple uses a thin wall BB, and while NR used a thick wall, but a 117 spindle for a thick wall BB would be a rare bird so I would check to see if that's what you have. Sutherland shows the Gran Sport spindle drive side is 35mm; with a thin wall that should leave about 27mm on the drive side. Measure your NR and see if it's close.

Antieverything

thanks for those numbers! I did a quick measurement and it does look closer to 35mm then 27mm. I might just pop on the Gran Sport, test fit, and go from there. If it doesn't work I will just put it back up for sale.

Now ow I just have to figure out if my NR RD will work well enough. I might loose the Big+big(+1) and the small+small(+2) combos but I can live with that.

jeirvine 

I believe NR/SR triples also took thin cups, so BBs should be the same specs for GS. My NR triple BB has thin cups. Also, the spindle lengthened in 1978 with the CPSC changes, so if you swap cranks make sure they are both pre '78 or post '78. Italian triple: Pre: 118. Post: 124, English: - Pre:117. Post: 123. Cheers.

jonwvara 

Don't lose the big-big combo. You think you'll never use it, but someday you will shift into it by mistake and make all kinds of shredded metal--and possibly experience a painful crash--if your chain isn't long enough to handle it. This is the voice of experience talking.

onespeedbiker

I was measuring how far the spindle extended from the drive side cup; the spindle outside the cup, should be 35mm on the drive side.

Antieverything

Thanks for that warning. As the bike sits now, It doesn't shift Big+big. Like physically won't make the shift so there isn't a change of changing into that gear by accident. I tend to be soft and slow with my shifts anyway as I'm never in a rush to go places while cycling. I will consider doing something about the RD to be able to run a longer chain in mean time.

onespeedbiker

There is a solution for that. Soma sells a longer cage plates (copied from the Gran Sport Rally derailleur), that increases the chain wrap on NR derailleurs. Soma Nuova Retro Derailleur Cage Plates Boulder sells the same cage with no minimum order but they are out of stock right now Soma Rally type Cage plates for NR/SR w/Campy bolts For Super Record Conversion



There is also a Rally derailleur (this one removed from a Schwinn Paramount!), but they are a little pricey. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-CAMPAGNO...item51c6e911c2