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Shimano 600EX crankset - 52/42 replacement

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Shimano 600EX crankset - 52/42 replacement

Old 07-21-22, 08:03 AM
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Padston
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Shimano 600EX crankset - 52/42 replacement

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
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Old 07-21-22, 09:14 AM
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While a finding one may be a bit more pricey than a more modern looking crank set the Sugino Maxy's took 110 bcd rings allowing for a 34 small ring and are a close match cosmetically to the 600ex.

The main things you should be looking for is a crank set with 110bcd which would allow you to run a smaller modern inner ring and iso/jis spindle tapper.

Last edited by zukahn1; 07-21-22 at 09:29 AM.
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Old 07-21-22, 09:22 AM
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That's great, thanks for the tip! I'll have a look and see if I can track one down
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Old 07-21-22, 03:15 PM
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For more gearing while staying cosmetically and vintage correct you could also change to Suntour V-GT long cage rear derailleur and a wider range modern 6 or 7 speed freewheel. Which would alloy you to bic up about 30 percent more gearing while keeping the nice crank and most of the 600eu stuff. Id did this on a old Jeunet to get 34/30 low gear.

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Old 07-21-22, 03:46 PM
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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.
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Old 07-21-22, 05:15 PM
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I've "built" several compact cranks, using a Sugino double with 110 spacing, and then "borrowing" the two largest rings from a MTB triple. Visit a few co ops and you will likely find some good candidates.
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Old 07-21-22, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wrk101
I've "built" several compact cranks, using a Sugino double with 110 spacing, and then "borrowing" the two largest rings from a MTB triple. Visit a few co ops and you will likely find some good candidates.
+1 while this thread is getting a bit off track using vintage MTB cranks I have built gearing as low as 38/26 front 32/13 rear for short range cargo bikes.

Last edited by zukahn1; 07-21-22 at 05:32 PM.
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