Bicycle Mechanics - Campag Strada 170 crankset

Hi, Im looking to change a chainring on my current setup. Basically I want to change this bike into a road touring bike so the 'timetrial style' rings on it are no use on some of the big hills that I want to do.
The current setup is a campagnola strada 170 crank arm with a 48 tooth ring and a 51 tooth ring. Is it possible to get a smaller (less than the 48) chain ring for this type of crankset (suitable for hills) or would I need to buy a complete new setup. If its the latter then is it possible to get one that matches the bottom bracket.

Ive been looking at the chainrings around and the Record ones would appear to be good. Am I mistaken in that the spacing for the crankarm to attach to the chainring would be different?
Hope someone can help!!
Will

144 BCD rings go down to 41 tooth, but the smallest you'll find easily are 42 tooth rings

You haven't identified which crank you have. Strada simply means "road". If your crank takes 144 bcd rings, I think I saw a NOS 42 when I was perusing eBay this morning

Well you need to know the BCD of the crank/rings.

If its 144, you might be able to find some good ring. I doubt it, but in the off possibility its 151, you are pretty much screwed in the sense that you cant get rings, but you hit the jackpot on resale.

Youl have to excuse my lack of knowledge in this area. What do you mean by BCD?

Bolt Circle Diameter. This is the diameter of a circle, in mm, that can be drawn through the bolt holes.

Regards,
Ted

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

OK so the smallest that I could get is a 41 ring. Is it possible to get complete cranksets (rings and all) that would fit the bottom bracket. Its a square tapered one. Is this possible to do (ie are there any existing cranksets that would fit it)

This will allow you to use any size rings you want and will be a good fit as a double on your present bottom bracket. They're pricey, considering that all you get is a pair of arms, but you didn't say you were on a budget. I was considering a set for my Peugeot, but I found a Campy NR triple for way less money.

http://www.velo-orange.com/pro5viscr.html

Loose screws is having a closeout sale on T.A. 144bcd 41 tooth rings made for Campy NR cranks.

Loose screws is having a closeout sale on T.A. 144bcd 41 tooth rings made for Campy NR cranks.

TA rings are an excellent substitute for the campy ones. I use them on my Cross bike on a Centaur triple. More variety in sizes.

Hi Dirtdrop,

Is the taper on his bottom bracket going to cause problems with the suggested crankset? I assume he is using a Campy compatible bottom bracket now.

Yes I have got a campy bottom bracket. It hasnt been changed at all so the original one is still in it.

OK say that I forget the existing complete crankset and keep the bottom bracket. Is it possible to get a different crankset to fit my bottom bracket. From what I can see, because it is a traditional square taper one, some different campagnolo cranksets would fit it as well.

Campy didnt start using ISO tapers until 1993. So any square tape crank out there now will work.