Changing vintage TA/Stronglight from triple to compact double
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Changing vintage TA/Stronglight from triple to compact double
I have a vintage triple Stronglight crankset (I believe it's a model 49) with TA chainrings: 48-40-30. I'd like to remove the 40 and run it as a compact double 48-30. It appears the chainring bolts are going to be too long, so need shorter ones. Also, is the 30t ok to run next to the 48 as far as spacing goes? The 30 has a slight counter for the chainring bolt.
Any one else done this before?
I know I could just tear it down and check myself, but I'm feeling lazy today. I have front derailleurs that should work just fine.
Any one else done this before?
I know I could just tear it down and check myself, but I'm feeling lazy today. I have front derailleurs that should work just fine.
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I've run TA Cyclotouriste and Stronglight 49D (both with 50.4 bcd outer chainrings) as compact doubles, usually along the lines of 46/30. You will need the shorter bolt set for the inner ring (six in all if you do have a 49D).
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Good to know. The bolt set appears to be a smaller diameter than what I have. I just checked, VO has complete double bolt sets that are compatible with Stronglight/T.A.
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Connecting Hardware for Grand Cru 50.4 BCD Cranks, Double Kit - Cranksets - Components
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You might need a shorter BB spindle.
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18 teeth is a big jump for a FD; plus you'll probably need an old school narrow one to work and that might have trouble with that big a jump. Maybe your FD will work fine with this, maybe it won't.
I realize the first velo gugie rule is if it works, tinker with it to see what happens if you mess with it ( ) but this is one place where maybe it makes sense to leave what you have alone. You'll have better gear ratios with your triple than with a wide ranging compact particularly if you're running 5-6-7 on the back. If you're talking about one of those new fangled bikes with 9 or more on the rear, then the difference between the 2 set ups starts to shrink.
I realize the first velo gugie rule is if it works, tinker with it to see what happens if you mess with it ( ) but this is one place where maybe it makes sense to leave what you have alone. You'll have better gear ratios with your triple than with a wide ranging compact particularly if you're running 5-6-7 on the back. If you're talking about one of those new fangled bikes with 9 or more on the rear, then the difference between the 2 set ups starts to shrink.
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18 teeth is a big jump for a FD; plus you'll probably need an old school narrow one to work and that might have trouble with that big a jump. Maybe your FD will work fine with this, maybe it won't.
I realize the first velo gugie rule is if it works, tinker with it to see what happens if you mess with it ( ) but this is one place where maybe it makes sense to leave what you have alone. You'll have better gear ratios with your triple than with a wide ranging compact particularly if you're running 5-6-7 on the back. If you're talking about one of those new fangled bikes with 9 or more on the rear, then the difference between the 2 set ups starts to shrink.
I realize the first velo gugie rule is if it works, tinker with it to see what happens if you mess with it ( ) but this is one place where maybe it makes sense to leave what you have alone. You'll have better gear ratios with your triple than with a wide ranging compact particularly if you're running 5-6-7 on the back. If you're talking about one of those new fangled bikes with 9 or more on the rear, then the difference between the 2 set ups starts to shrink.
I'm going to be running one of those semi-new fangled 8 speed clusters. I'll probably try a NOS Cyclone MkII. I think it will shift just fine. A 24-36-46 triple shifts fine with it, as a matter of fact, it's easy to shift (too easy) from 24 to 46 and skip the middle chainring. I'll just be getting rid of the middle man with this setup . Hey, I just remembered, here's my proof of concept:
83 Lotus Classique, 48-30 VO compact double with a Cyclone MkII chain slapper
I most definitely will need a shorter BB spindle than the triple would take. As a matter of fact, that's what motivated me to do this-I'd need around a 127 to make the triple work. A 123.5 makes the inner chainring rub (and I'm not interested in denting the frame).
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#8
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I toured the California Coast with a Cyclist from England he used a 50- 28 double and a 13-28t freewheel ..
you just dont make a front shifting demand in the wrong situation .. and use a friction shift lever.
you just dont make a front shifting demand in the wrong situation .. and use a friction shift lever.
#9
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Hey gugie , just stumbled across this old thread as I have a 48/32 Stronglight 99 crankset, and have been thinking about dropping that inner chainring to 30, friction shifted with a Suntour Cyclone mk2 front derailleur.
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
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Hey gugie , just stumbled across this old thread as I have a 48/32 Stronglight 99 crankset, and have been thinking about dropping that inner chainring to 30, friction shifted with a Suntour Cyclone mk2 front derailleur.
2
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
2
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
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#11
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I have a vintage triple Stronglight crankset (I believe it's a model 49) with TA chainrings: 48-40-30. I'd like to remove the 40 and run it as a compact double 48-30. It appears the chainring bolts are going to be too long, so need shorter ones. Also, is the 30t ok to run next to the 48 as far as spacing goes? The 30 has a slight counter for the chainring bolt.
Any one else done this before?
Any one else done this before?
One thing I do remember is that there were two lengths of chainring bolt depending on whether you were building a double or a triple. As I recall there were also inner, outer and middle chainrings. I can't quite remember what the deal was with spacers. There may have only been one size. I think there must have been a 3rd length of bolt for the 50.4 inner circle, but honestly it's all pretty fuzzy now.
I'm not sure how much help that is. Let me know if you find any documentation. I'd venture a guess that VO and SunXCD have done there homework, and that their hardware is cross compatible.
AFA the 30 to 48 shift, I think it's doable, but probably isn't going to be lightning quick by modern standards.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 05-17-20 at 02:52 PM.
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Believe it or not I've done this many times before. We had a well stocked TA cabinet at Aquarian BITD. Unfortunately, the last time was at least 35 years ago, so I'm not going to be much help. There must be documentation online somewhere.
One thing I do remember is that there were two lengths of chainring bolt depending on whether you were building a double or a triple. As I recall there were also inner, outer and middle chainrings. I can't quite remember what the deal was with spacers. There may have only been one size. I think there must have been a 3rd length of bolt for the 50.4 inner circle, but honestly it's all pretty fuzzy now.
I'm not sure how much help that is. Let me know if you find any documentation. I'd venture a guess that VO and SunXCD have done there homework, and that their hardware is cross compatible.
AFA the 30 to 48 shift, I think it's doable, but probably isn't going to be lightning quick by modern standards.
One thing I do remember is that there were two lengths of chainring bolt depending on whether you were building a double or a triple. As I recall there were also inner, outer and middle chainrings. I can't quite remember what the deal was with spacers. There may have only been one size. I think there must have been a 3rd length of bolt for the 50.4 inner circle, but honestly it's all pretty fuzzy now.
I'm not sure how much help that is. Let me know if you find any documentation. I'd venture a guess that VO and SunXCD have done there homework, and that their hardware is cross compatible.
AFA the 30 to 48 shift, I think it's doable, but probably isn't going to be lightning quick by modern standards.
I did figure this out on my own 5 years ago (zombie thread).
;-)
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Hey gugie , just stumbled across this old thread as I have a 48/32 Stronglight 99 crankset, and have been thinking about dropping that inner chainring to 30, friction shifted with a Suntour Cyclone mk2 front derailleur.
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
Did you end up going with the 48/30 combo, and if so, how did it work out for you?
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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