Never seen this crank set up before. What the? How the?
03-03-23, 06:31 PM
#26
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I have no problem with the large difference in size between the two rings, what I'm complaining about is the chain gouging up the chainring bolts and the shelf for the missing middle ring. The "correct" way to do this is by putting the big ring in the middle position, leaving the outer position vacant. Or you can mount a pants guard / bash guard where the big ring is supposed to go. I put "correct" in scare-quotes because it's still not fully optimized IMHO, it has all the extra spindle length and Q-factor of a triple.
Yes I know not everyone minds a wide Q, some prefer it, I'm just talking about what I consider inelegant engineering. And nobody should care what I think! When it's your bike, you set it up however you like. Me, if I wanted a compact-double, I'd use a crank made to be that way, like a Stronglight 99, TA Cyclotouriste, many others.
On the other hand, "off-label" uses of parts, for other than how they were intended, often shows creativity and can even work better than the factory spec. I'm all for it,,, sometimes.
Mark B
Yes I know not everyone minds a wide Q, some prefer it, I'm just talking about what I consider inelegant engineering. And nobody should care what I think! When it's your bike, you set it up however you like. Me, if I wanted a compact-double, I'd use a crank made to be that way, like a Stronglight 99, TA Cyclotouriste, many others.
On the other hand, "off-label" uses of parts, for other than how they were intended, often shows creativity and can even work better than the factory spec. I'm all for it,,, sometimes.
Mark B
03-05-23, 04:04 AM
#27
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I run a couple 44/28’s they shift fine I don’t think it’d be any worse with a couple more in the outer or a couple smaller on the inner
03-05-23, 08:36 AM
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After looking at the photos in the OP I just want to talk about what looks like the use of a Zefal HPX pump as a kickstand! We're seeing creative thinking in more ways than one from the owner of this bike 
03-05-23, 07:40 PM
#29
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I suspect that there are some minimal spacers under the small ring's mounting points, but considered that the shelves might allow the chain to flow to the small ring without risk of skating between the widely-spaced rings.
Shimano's and other's compact doubles have increased chainring spacing relative to earlier 39-53T chainsets, with the chain-guiding feature built into the somewhat conical inside face of the big ring. Perhaps the tab shelves are serving the same purpose?
Shimano's and other's compact doubles have increased chainring spacing relative to earlier 39-53T chainsets, with the chain-guiding feature built into the somewhat conical inside face of the big ring. Perhaps the tab shelves are serving the same purpose?
03-05-23, 08:58 PM
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I suspect that there are some minimal spacers under the small ring's mounting points, but considered that the shelves might allow the chain to flow to the small ring without risk of skating between the widely-spaced rings.
Shimano's and other's compact doubles have increased chainring spacing relative to earlier 39-53T chainsets, with the chain-guiding feature built into the somewhat conical inside face of the big ring. Perhaps the tab shelves are serving the same purpose?
Shimano's and other's compact doubles have increased chainring spacing relative to earlier 39-53T chainsets, with the chain-guiding feature built into the somewhat conical inside face of the big ring. Perhaps the tab shelves are serving the same purpose?
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03-06-23, 10:30 PM
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I just remounted the chainrings yesterday, on my 6603 Ultegra triples, but still need to dial in the derailleurs. I had a 24t granny gear that just wasn't quite working for chain wrap, so I swapped in a 26t, which seems much better. 👍
I mounted 2 middle rings, both well ramped, in 39t & 42t. That should make it easier to goof around, and try half-step shifting. Even if I never really use the 42t, it's a pretty good cuff-guard, for the 39t. 🙂
03-06-23, 11:57 PM
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For all the discussion, I am surprised nobody's gone and tried it yet! I like wide-step and narrow Q. Maybe I'll give it a go and see if it works. It would be a good use for all my old 110-74 cranks from back when I used to prefer triples. Nowadays, I treat a wide step x wide cassette like a 1x with bailout gear(s). Currently using a 50-26 TA with Mountech. No trouble shifting. XTR rear on the classic 11-34. Wide range, narrow Q. But French cranks be spendy.
After I brazed some canti posts with bronze using MAPPro/air (no oxygen), a wise person commented that a single good data point is worth a thousand expert opinions. The same approach is needed here.
After I brazed some canti posts with bronze using MAPPro/air (no oxygen), a wise person commented that a single good data point is worth a thousand expert opinions. The same approach is needed here.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Last edited by scarlson; 03-07-23 at 12:02 AM.
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03-07-23, 07:05 AM
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I have the same crank on the ‘83 Trek 970, normally a triple, set up as a mid-compact double (52-36). Shifts well with a Supebre FD.
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03-16-23, 08:07 AM
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Seems might be factory.....
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...599808863.html
Brand new Rene Herse Cycles premium crankset. 9-12 speed double, 177mm arms, 42/26 rings. These retail for 490 + shipping - when they're in stock.
$375
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...599808863.html
NEW Rene Herse crankset - $375 (Fairmount)
Brand new Rene Herse Cycles premium crankset. 9-12 speed double, 177mm arms, 42/26 rings. These retail for 490 + shipping - when they're in stock.
$375
03-16-23, 09:06 AM
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03-16-23, 09:49 AM
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If the owner set up the outer ring in the middle ring spot it would be fine--I have a few 86bcd cranksets (SR Apex, Super Custom, and Custom) set up as 46/28 and they shift absolutely perfectly with the right FD and smart friction shifting. They make for great touring/mountain environment setups.
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03-16-23, 12:53 PM
#37
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I'm shifting a 42/24 with a GRX 400 FD and Sram Rival 22 lever. Had the same crank with 42/20 and Exage 500LX triple front derailleur, same levers. They work fine.
In order to shift these massive gaps I've noticed that a short cage derailleur with a smooth cage works 99% of the time, derailleurs with cutouts and too many steps in the cage don't work for this kind of a gap for some odd reason.
In order to shift these massive gaps I've noticed that a short cage derailleur with a smooth cage works 99% of the time, derailleurs with cutouts and too many steps in the cage don't work for this kind of a gap for some odd reason.
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03-18-23, 07:17 AM
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I found and bought a shift aide ring for 3 pin 116bcd cranks on ebay. It wont arrive for a while, but I'm guessing it is used as a spacer to ad a 3rd "granny" ring. 36t is the smallest available ring, so I'll check how much overlap the "factory" ring has for 36t.
03-18-23, 07:42 AM
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I've never seen one of those Gitanes since that still has the disk in place.
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03-20-23, 07:23 AM
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Around 1974 (I remember the year because I used that number for my combination cable lock, figuring it would be easy to remember), Gitane installed a steeply ramped black plastic disk between the chainrings for their low-end drop bar model. The chain invariably slid halfway down the ramp and stayed there, no matter how frantically the rider spun the pedals. So we ended up having to disassemble every one of those cranksets to replace the disk with the appropriate spacers.
I've never seen one of those Gitanes since that still has the disk in place.
I've never seen one of those Gitanes since that still has the disk in place.
