Stronglight Competition 55 crank question
10-31-21, 08:51 AM
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Stronglight Competition 55 crank question
I have a stronglight competition 55 crank that I'd like to use on a 50s era Claud Butler I need to build up. That bike deserves a cottered crank. The chainrings currently on the stronglight crank are 52/47. I'd like to run smaller rings (ideally 46/36).
Velobase has a listing for that crank and it states "Ring sets had tooth ranges of 45 to 54 teeth."
https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...6-44B76354D545
It's a 3 arm 116 bcd crank. I thought you could go much smaller than 45 with those. Sheldon Brown's website says you can go as low as 36 teeth.
https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html
So what's the deal? 3 arm 116 bcd rings do pop up on eBay from time to time but I have no idea as to compatibility with my crank. Will I be able to go lower than 45 teeth on my stronglight competition 55? Are all 3 arm 116 bcd rings compatible? I'm guessing they're not, right?
Velobase has a listing for that crank and it states "Ring sets had tooth ranges of 45 to 54 teeth."
https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompone...6-44B76354D545
It's a 3 arm 116 bcd crank. I thought you could go much smaller than 45 with those. Sheldon Brown's website says you can go as low as 36 teeth.
https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html
So what's the deal? 3 arm 116 bcd rings do pop up on eBay from time to time but I have no idea as to compatibility with my crank. Will I be able to go lower than 45 teeth on my stronglight competition 55? Are all 3 arm 116 bcd rings compatible? I'm guessing they're not, right?
10-31-21, 09:31 AM
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The 3 pin cottered cranks that came on super courses routinely came with 52-42 combos. I have one I'd give you if it would help.
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10-31-21, 09:42 AM
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I believe that any 3 arm 116 bcd chainrings would be compatible, though you may have to substitute bolts (shouldered vs. non-shouldered.
10-31-21, 09:45 AM
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If you use the Simplex rings and brackets you are indeed limited to the (very) large sizes:
On my Gitane I used a set of cheap take-offs from an entry level French mixte to get a more usable 50/38:
On my Gitane I used a set of cheap take-offs from an entry level French mixte to get a more usable 50/38:
10-31-21, 09:48 AM
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I may just take you up on that! That 52/47 is tough on the rollers here in central Iowa. I can handle a 42/26 (which is the upper limit for the campy gran sport RD I plan on using).
10-31-21, 06:36 PM
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3-arm, 116mm cranks were quite popular BITD; lots of manufacturers and interchangeable rings.
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