Lower Gearing Needed.
- Thread starter Stevie B
- Start date
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John Proch
New Member
Sounds like you are either in the hills or like me and over 40. I would consider using a triple chainset. You still need the 52 to 55 for the large chain ring for the flats and down hill, but need say a 36 for your small front, which Campagnolo offered in the 70s through the 80s in Record, and others for modern times, but I only ride vintage is why I am here. You will need a different bottom bracket to handle the width of the three rings, which is not difficult and I can steer you to where you could find both if interested. If you can get back with me somehow, I can help you. Take care and hang in there.
Thanks for replying John. Your right, i'm 53 years old. I am ready to train for an Audax or three. I do,nt really want a triple chainset if I can use a twin. I have just had a new bottom bracket fitted but realise I may need to change it. I have been told I could fit a Stronglite 34-50 chainset but that is to bigger jump, I feel. Currently I can ride at 13 to 15 mph in 3rd gear on the 42 ring but cannot sustain that all day. Therefore I figure a 46 big ring would give me enough. As for the small ring, again your right I want it for the hills. I would welcome any help you could offer
46 would be incredibly small for a big ring. I've got 51 - 39 x 26 on my steel bike and I can get up all the hills round here, so with your 28 at the back I should think a 38 or 39 small ring would be plenty small enough, coupled with a 50 or 51 would give you plenty of downhill/flat speed? Plenty of second hand Campag chainsets around at those sizes.
the snail
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham
I would go for a triple (I've got cheapo alivio 48/38/28, you could go for a 50/40/30 road chainset) . 36/46 sounds like neither one thing or the other to me. Low gears are the ones you want for audaxing - to quote from the AUK handbook:
"Err towards more low gears than high gears. A triple chainset is a good idea. You do not need racing
gears. These rides will take you anywhere and even 1:10 hills can be very difficult at the end of an arduous
day."
With 14 teeth on your smallest cog you'll be a bit undergeared at the top end, but I don't think you'll find that hinders you much.
"Err towards more low gears than high gears. A triple chainset is a good idea. You do not need racing
gears. These rides will take you anywhere and even 1:10 hills can be very difficult at the end of an arduous
day."
With 14 teeth on your smallest cog you'll be a bit undergeared at the top end, but I don't think you'll find that hinders you much.
RecordAceFromNew
Swinging Member
- Location
- West London
The thing to consider if you go for a triple, is that you might well need to change the rear mech as well as chainset, bb and front mech. Not many vintage rear mechs (since we are in the vintage forum here...) could wrap a triple (with typically 20T difference) and a 14-28 block (14T difference) at the same time.
Imho a 46/36 chainset is a reasonable step to take. From what you said I suspect you are spinning at 90rpm or more at the pedals which a 46/14 should give you around 24mph. If you wish to have a higher top speed depending on number of speed you have you might be able to get a rear block (I am again assuming you have a freewheel not cassette) starting from 13T.
With a 46/36 I think you should be able to get away with not changing your front mech. You will have to move it down the seat tube by about 12mm though. Just make sure you get the right BB that delivers the same chainline you have currently, and shorten the chain by at least two links (one pair).
The other option that might be worth considering if bigger gaps between gears don't bother you, again depending on what speed block you have and rear dropout distance is to consider changing to a wider range block without touching the chainset/bb/front mech. 13-34T freewheels are readily available, e.g., but you will also need to get a new, longer chain and change the rear mech (which is neither difficult nor expensive, assuming you have friction shifts or if indexed Shimano).
Imho a 46/36 chainset is a reasonable step to take. From what you said I suspect you are spinning at 90rpm or more at the pedals which a 46/14 should give you around 24mph. If you wish to have a higher top speed depending on number of speed you have you might be able to get a rear block (I am again assuming you have a freewheel not cassette) starting from 13T.
With a 46/36 I think you should be able to get away with not changing your front mech. You will have to move it down the seat tube by about 12mm though. Just make sure you get the right BB that delivers the same chainline you have currently, and shorten the chain by at least two links (one pair).
The other option that might be worth considering if bigger gaps between gears don't bother you, again depending on what speed block you have and rear dropout distance is to consider changing to a wider range block without touching the chainset/bb/front mech. 13-34T freewheels are readily available, e.g., but you will also need to get a new, longer chain and change the rear mech (which is neither difficult nor expensive, assuming you have friction shifts or if indexed Shimano).
A big thank you to everyone who has offered help to my question. After great consideration and heart wrenching, I have made the decision to buy a new bike. I have now stripped the Macklam to make way for the Elswick Equipe. It may be to all you vintage lovers annoyance and the Elswick might not be as good as the Macklam, but I think a new bike will allow more options in this fast changing world.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Some audaxers are said to run a 40/24 chainset !
Personally I find 53/39/28 works rather well (Campag triple with a non-standard inner) I'd put a 26 on it if the derailleur would take it.
My tourer (Shimergo) happily runs 50/38/26 with a 105 front mech.
Not sure I'd put a triple on a classy vintage bike though... it would look a bit wrong.
Oh yes - I'm 53 too!
Personally I find 53/39/28 works rather well (Campag triple with a non-standard inner) I'd put a 26 on it if the derailleur would take it.
My tourer (Shimergo) happily runs 50/38/26 with a 105 front mech.
Not sure I'd put a triple on a classy vintage bike though... it would look a bit wrong.
Oh yes - I'm 53 too!
