Classic & Vintage - Am I better off to change the Crankset (pics included)?

Hi all,

I own a 1980 Sekine SHT which I am trying to upgrade. I saw the following crankset on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Truvativ-Elita-GXP-175mm-Road-Race-Bike-Crankset-10-spd_W0QQitemZ170066041485QQihZ007QQcategoryZ56195QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Am I better off with that crakset than the original one (Cotterless SR Royal)? Here is a picture of a similar one to the one I have:

http://cansekine.tripod.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://cansekine.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dsc01857.jpg&target=tlx_new

I would love to get opinions. Thanks!

Not that I know anything about either one, but the original one looks a lot nicer.

It really depends what you seek to accomplish. It would appear that the SR set is in great shape. It also looks like it has a bcd of 144. Consequently, the smallest ring you could use would be a 41. The Truvativ looks like it might be a 110 bcd, which gives you more options in chainring choices. Although, to complicate matters a bit more, you can purchase a triplizer for a 144bcd . The inside ring has additional tabs that allow you to mount a 74 bcd ring to it. I have used one with an old Campy crankset and to works fine. And besides the SR is real purty!

Noah and rmikkelsen are correct; the OEM unit looks much nicer. If you need low gears, try the triplizer and/or a large freewheel. 52-42 / 14-16-18-21-24-28-32 or even -34 makes a great 1.5-step ratio progression with a "wall-climbing" grannie.

>or a large freewheel.

I picked up a Shimano MegaRange from Harris Cyclery last fall and really like it. Not only did I gain that big 34 tooth granny but I lost a tooth with that 13 cog tailwind chaser.

I had to dig out a touring derailer (Suntour ARX) for the Megarange, but the shifts are just as smooth as they were on my old 14-28 Suntour.

I second the opinions of those above, plus I wouldn't be suprised if the bearings are going in the truvativ crank and you have to buy a new BB, I tried very hard to source those bearing but they are a size that most manufacturers do not make. Plus the SR royal is top of the line Japanese componentry and much prettier. However I am sure the truvativ cranks will go cheep because they are in Canada, the reality is shipping cost differ little between canada and the US but US buyer stay away from Canada so you have a way smaller competition pool.

OEM crankset looks much better!