Front/Rear sets and jockey wheels

[Kins]

Do these look ok to put back on and do I need to replace the jockey wheels?

If they are ok Is 52/42 fine for general bike riding or should one or other be replaced?

Also dumb question, rear set has 6 sprockets, and 2 on front, so makes it 12 speed right? Is this usual or have they been replaced? Rear set looks pretty new to be honest. Can't take a pic right now because in an oil bath in the workshop.

Also wheels. For a complete set to respoke both wheels with decent spokes it will cost me upwards of £50-80. I can buy cheap new wheels for £37+ postage. Or could I convert to Shimano and get more choice, and just buy a rear set and dérailleur? Advice please. Cheers.

 

[gbb]

Do these look ok to put back on and do I need to replace the jockey wheels?

If they are ok Is 52/42 fine for general bike riding or should one or other be replaced?

Also dumb question, rear set has 6 sprockets, and 2 on front, so makes it 12 speed right? Is this usual or have they been replaced? Rear set looks pretty new to be honest. Can't take a pic right now because in an oil bath in the workshop.

Also wheels. For a complete set to respoke both wheels with decent spokes it will cost me upwards of £50-80. I can buy cheap new wheels for £37+ postage. Or could I convert to Shimano and get more choice, and just buy a rear set and dérailleur? Advice please. Cheers.

Chainrings look ok to me. Its not easy seeing wear in a photo, but they don't look bad. I'd refit them.

Jockey wheels, they do look a bit worn, but the teeth don't really matter so much, they're only there to guide the chain through the cage.

52/42. Most people run say a 52/39. 42 is maybe a bit big if your terrain is hilly, 42 is fine if your terrain is flat. A 39 Stronglight chainring will cost £15 to £20, no big deal to fit.

6 on the back, 2 on the front. yup, thats 12 speed.

Wheels. £37 is extremely cheap, don;t expect much from them. You say fit Shimano to give you more options, but it looks like you're running Campag right now. Normally they're not interchangeable, but perhaps if you have old friction shifters on your 6 speed it will work. Give us some more info on your setup, shifter type, bike, bike type etc etc.

That said, i brought a cheap wheelset for my Trek hybrid and once i'd adjusted and lubed the hubs properly, they've run fine for occasional use. Even when new, they were poorly assembled. They wouldnt have lasted a year without some work on them.

 

[HLaB]

I run mainly a 52/38 and whilst I spend most of the time in the big ring on hillier terrain, its nicer to have a lower gear to fall back on. Similarly a previous bike had a 32/42/52 tripple and whilst I spent most of the time in the 52 and occasionally the 42, it was nice to have the 32 to fall back on. Having said that on a club ride I find the 38 a little too low and the 42 better a better balance. Ultimately what you prefer is down to you and your terrain/ plans, etc.

As to 12sp as ggb answers yes it is and their advice on the jockeys sounds good too

 

[Kins]

Bike is an old 83 BSA competition with down tube friction shifters like these.

I literally live on the top of a large hill so which ever way I go down I have to get back up and none of the routes are easy. I think I'll see about a 38, cheers.

Is the only difference between the two besides the wheel and rear set the way the dérailleur hangs/attaches or am I making work for myself?

 

[accountantpete]

You should check the BCD of those rings - make sure that they are 135 Campagnolo fitting or an earlier Campy variation.

 

[Kins]

You should check the BCD of those rings - make sure that they are 135 Campagnolo fitting or an earlier Campy variation.

They came off the bike or am I missing the point?

 

[TheDoctor]

The point is - if you're looking to replace the inner ring you need to know the BCD, as they vary. Campag is 135 mm, Shimano is 130mm, and you need to buy one that'll fit your chainset!

 

[Kins]

Oh right, cheers!

 

[TheDoctor]

No worries

 

[accountantpete]

See Sheldon on how to calculate

http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html

 

[Kins]

Nice site, and it has boobs on it!

 

[gbb]

Bike is an old 83 BSA competition with down tube friction shifters like these.

I literally live on the top of a large hill so which ever way I go down I have to get back up and none of the routes are easy. I think I'll see about a 38, cheers.

Is the only difference between the two besides the wheel and rear set the way the dérailleur hangs/attaches or am I making work for myself?

Its simple, but to explain it takes a little..
Normally you cant mix campag and Shimano components because the sprockets at the back have different spacings. Modern indexed shifters actuate the rear derailleur that particular amount for the rear sprockets (be it Campag or Shimano) Neither one will work the other generally speaking.
BUT, you have friction shifters, which are pre indexed shifters. They simply move the rear derailleur the amount you push or pull them, its not set any particualr amount. So, you can use any wheel (or sprockets technically), shimano or campag, because YOU control the movement, not the internals of the shifter.
Ultimately, you CAN fit any same sized wheel with Campag or Shimano sprockets (Freewheel is the proper term for the cluster of sprockets at the back, to be correct)
Your rear derailleur can stay, it doesnt care whether you are using Campag of shimano sprockets.

 

[gbb]

Here's something that i dont know, but have thought about while looking at you post...
Most old bikes are 5 or 6 speed (10 or 12 speed if you prefer)
Did Campag have a different freewheel in any way ? Screw on size, spacing, anything ?

 

[Kins]

Thanks guys for help. Thanks gbb, I understand now. I went to Trax in Swansea today, and he basically said the same. Came home, thought about it, and decided I really want to build these wheels so ordered the spokes and nipples anyway. Bit worried I have ordered the right ones as they are coming from Germany, but hey ho.

Took my head set in to Trax as well and he just laughed! Only one he could order that he thinks fits is £50, because he thinks the pitch is different. I will take my forks in to check I think.

Here's something that i dont know, but have thought about while looking at you post...
Most old bikes are 5 or 6 speed (10 or 12 speed if you prefer)
Did Campag have a different freewheel in any way ? Screw on size, spacing, anything ?

No idea. Thats the part that connects the rear hub to the cassette?

 

[fossyant]

Just to let you know, there will be a sprocket tooth limit with that campag rear mech as it's a short cage, so I really doubt aything over 25/26 Teeth can be run