Compact Crank for vintage 7sp?
11-16-22, 02:42 PM
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Compact Crank for vintage 7sp?
Hello all,
Over the past fewer years I've been slowly resto-moding a late 70's Motobecane Super Mirage. The project had fallen by the wayside until recently I came a cross a really good deal on a new set of Sun Cr18 rims that had been laced to vintage Shimano freewheel hubs. This wheelset allowed me to convert from 27 to 700c and install 700x38 Panaracer Pasela tires that gave it a really nice ride. I now have a new correctly sized seat post and new saddle on the way to replace what a previous owner had stuck on there. These latest mods have really sparked a new interest in the project which leads me to the next mod on the list and my current question. My goal for this bike is to be a fun all roads cruiser and grocery getter (once I decided on the racks I want) but the current 52/40 crankset is geared a little to high for my liking. I installed a 7sp freewheel with a 32t low gear but its still not enough to put it in the range I'm looking for. What would be the best way for me to get to something like a 48/32 or 46/30 gearing up front without losing to much of the vintage look?
Over the past fewer years I've been slowly resto-moding a late 70's Motobecane Super Mirage. The project had fallen by the wayside until recently I came a cross a really good deal on a new set of Sun Cr18 rims that had been laced to vintage Shimano freewheel hubs. This wheelset allowed me to convert from 27 to 700c and install 700x38 Panaracer Pasela tires that gave it a really nice ride. I now have a new correctly sized seat post and new saddle on the way to replace what a previous owner had stuck on there. These latest mods have really sparked a new interest in the project which leads me to the next mod on the list and my current question. My goal for this bike is to be a fun all roads cruiser and grocery getter (once I decided on the racks I want) but the current 52/40 crankset is geared a little to high for my liking. I installed a 7sp freewheel with a 32t low gear but its still not enough to put it in the range I'm looking for. What would be the best way for me to get to something like a 48/32 or 46/30 gearing up front without losing to much of the vintage look?
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11-16-22, 02:49 PM
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These are rather nice, I think, and relatively affordable. Andel crankset with 46/30 rings:
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11-16-22, 03:10 PM
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11-16-22, 03:33 PM
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110/74 mtb crank. Something basic like an Sakae Ringo or Sugino VP. Mix-n-match rings.
11-16-22, 03:46 PM
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The common and inexpensive Sakae CX and SX cranks have a 110bcd, though not compact chainrings. Any 8/9/10 50/34 rings will work on them.
MTB triple as suggested will make a sub-compact. Move the outer ring to the middle, with shorter chainring bolts. I don't love the huge dropoff for trail riding but on a road bike with friction shifting, it's quite good, especially if you can find a fd that matches the ring curvature well to minimize trimming. You'll also find a lot of flogged out nice mtb triples only the middle ring is worn anyway. You can go as extreme as you want with low gears, like 46/22, to ride as a 1x + granny. Not wrapping the smallxsmall crosschained ratios doesn't really matter either so it doesn't require a huge rd cage.
obviously these ones are a little garish for your purpose but you get the idea. The polished XT is the looker.
MTB triple as suggested will make a sub-compact. Move the outer ring to the middle, with shorter chainring bolts. I don't love the huge dropoff for trail riding but on a road bike with friction shifting, it's quite good, especially if you can find a fd that matches the ring curvature well to minimize trimming. You'll also find a lot of flogged out nice mtb triples only the middle ring is worn anyway. You can go as extreme as you want with low gears, like 46/22, to ride as a 1x + granny. Not wrapping the smallxsmall crosschained ratios doesn't really matter either so it doesn't require a huge rd cage.
obviously these ones are a little garish for your purpose but you get the idea. The polished XT is the looker.
11-16-22, 03:52 PM
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that's a really sweet bike too btw and i think your modifications are sensible
11-16-22, 03:55 PM
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Sugino has a 110BCD crank that is low gear friendly and they are really nice looking cranks . I have one but it is a 165 arm length so I haven't put it to use yet , I prefer 170 or 175 for my long legs and tall bikes.
11-16-22, 03:58 PM
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You could also just run an old triple? That would be my preference if you can find a nice one.
11-16-22, 04:05 PM
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11-16-22, 04:10 PM
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11-16-22, 05:19 PM
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If you like the look this Dia Compe ENE crankset could be an alternative. A little more expensive than the Andel, but still cheaper than the "real thing".
11-16-22, 05:22 PM
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If you an handle the ''Q'' factor of a triple crank, replacing the outer ring of a 110/74 mm bcd crank with a chainguard or an old ring with the teeth removed would work well. The Sugino AT would look good.
Last edited by bark_eater; 11-16-22 at 05:51 PM.
11-16-22, 05:24 PM
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I bought that Andel crankset from Velo Vitality in the UK back in April. Their website doesn’t seem to be functioning at the moment.
Another option is to grab some 110bcd arms and use the BikingGreen 46/30t rings:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12370651174...mis&media=COPY
Another option is to grab some 110bcd arms and use the BikingGreen 46/30t rings:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12370651174...mis&media=COPY
11-16-22, 05:33 PM
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Another option, of course, especially on a French bike, is a "5 vis" set: The 5 Vis appreciation thread.
My favorite is probably the Stronglight 49D. Versatile, affordable, pretty and very light.
My favorite is probably the Stronglight 49D. Versatile, affordable, pretty and very light.
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11-16-22, 06:08 PM
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Another option is an 86BCD crank/rings. You can mount most any combo on those.
Last edited by seypat; 11-16-22 at 07:55 PM.
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11-16-22, 07:25 PM
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The common and inexpensive Sakae CX and SX cranks have a 110bcd, though not compact chainrings. Any 8/9/10 50/34 rings will work on them.
MTB triple as suggested will make a sub-compact. Move the outer ring to the middle, with shorter chainring bolts. I don't love the huge dropoff for trail riding but on a road bike with friction shifting, it's quite good, especially if you can find a fd that matches the ring curvature well to minimize trimming. You'll also find a lot of flogged out nice mtb triples only the middle ring is worn anyway. You can go as extreme as you want with low gears, like 46/22, to ride as a 1x + granny. Not wrapping the smallxsmall crosschained ratios doesn't really matter either so it doesn't require a huge rd cage.
obviously these ones are a little garish for your purpose but you get the idea. The polished XT is the looker.
MTB triple as suggested will make a sub-compact. Move the outer ring to the middle, with shorter chainring bolts. I don't love the huge dropoff for trail riding but on a road bike with friction shifting, it's quite good, especially if you can find a fd that matches the ring curvature well to minimize trimming. You'll also find a lot of flogged out nice mtb triples only the middle ring is worn anyway. You can go as extreme as you want with low gears, like 46/22, to ride as a 1x + granny. Not wrapping the smallxsmall crosschained ratios doesn't really matter either so it doesn't require a huge rd cage.
obviously these ones are a little garish for your purpose but you get the idea. The polished XT is the looker.
or
compact crank (58/94) ?
remove the small chainring and just use the middle and big rings
Last edited by t2p; 11-16-22 at 07:32 PM.
11-16-22, 07:36 PM
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I never had an issue switching from a road bike with a double - and then riding an off road bike with a triple (off road or on road) ... vice-versa
???
11-16-22, 07:38 PM
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