Salamandrine 

I am not really digging any of your choices. Perhaps the Sugino XD600 is most appropriate, as it has a certain JDM-ishness that might work OK. The others have that 90s soul patch and ponytail vibe that sort of clashes IMO with the rest of a Toei.

Have you seen the new(ish) SunXCD cranks? Those would seem more appropriate being that they are high end, frenchie inspired and Japanese - like the Toei.

The Golden Boy 

Since we're going there, how about the Stronglight 99 / 99BIS?






It has a very certain 1970s appeal to it- but very classic-y.

The Golden Boy 

Since we're going there, how about the Stronglight 99 / 99BIS?










It has a very certain 1970s appeal to it- but very classic-y.

DIMcyclist

Update; my final choices... ThermionicScott will likely be pleased...

I settled on a (minty) & kinda rare RX100 triple crankset, 170mm, 48/38/28 (btw, likely w/ a Suzue 'Classica' freewheel RH, HG 7 sp; likely LX derailleurs [I have an NOS set that's been sitting around my shop for several years now] & RX100 shifters & aero levers; Nitto stem & seatpost). I gave the Sugino AT some very serious thought, but its BB requirements would likely make it an odd fit (it's a shame because I really, really like that crank).

As for what's stylistically 'fitting' on a Toei... While I appreciate the comments, functionality is important to me; 'twee' effects are not. This bike won't be a museum piece or garage queen, but more-or-less a daily rider. This is why I'll be building it up with a vintage Shimano drivetrain rather than SunTour or TA/Simplex/Huret. The only nod I might make in that direction would be in tracking down a Maxi-Car FH. I'll probably use Soma Portola HBs, since I find them pretty comfortable & they're much like the old GB touring bars common to Japanese 'campeurs' of that time.

Also, here's a few photos to tide you over... as you can see, there's a certain amount of surface rust & pitting that will have to be seen to (Btw, those ARE Ishiwata 022 decals in the fork & ST; this thing's light as a feather).

Quick addendum: I should also note that this design is pretty timeless; however the serial numbers seem to indicate that the frame dates either from 1982 or 1985, depending on which system you use.

bulldog1935

I'm running a Sun XCD crank with a TA ring stack, and it's gorgeous - also hugely functional


Here's a built Toei at Jitensha that is also running TA crank
Gallery of Customer Bikes-K-san

bradtx

DIMcyclist, RX100 was pretty good kit, IMHO. At the time it was on the market it was considered identical to 105 except for color. I didn't know a crank set was available with those chain rings.

I have a project that's mostly RX100 and the bits I needed were hard to source, which was a surprise.

Brad

DIMcyclist

I've always been fond of RX100 myself... And I agree, Bradtx; RX100 IS basically 105, albeit 'last year's model.' Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's always seemed that Shimano uses the 'R' designation to clear out older components when they update their groups.

With regard to that RX100 crankset, good eye: you see the doubles all the time, but the triple gruppos are pretty rare here in the U.S. From what I've gathered, RX100 triples were mostly distributed in Europe, and mine is no exception: I snagged it via ebay from a vintage parts dealer in the Netherlands. It's in beautiful condition- nearly new; I'd be surprised if it had more than 50 miles on it.

The only major components I have yet to spec are the brakes; I'm currently torn between Paul's Neo-Retro & Touring cantis... The Neo-Retros superficially resemble the old Mafac cantis that were likely part of the bike's original build, but I tend to prefer lower-profile brakes. It's a bit of a conundrum, but at least I have a couple of years to think about it.

clubman 

I've got an RX100 triple crank mated with a RSX group and I've seen this combo a few times. RX100 groups seem to be doubles with downtube shifters. It's a great functioning group so knock yourself out.

Rollfast

Cranksets or walk it.

skrudumra

This is a good thread. Many of the older MTB bikes that are being re proposed as city bikes and commuters are in need of a gearing change to taller more road friendly gears. I'm starting such a build now using a Raleigh 24" MTB, my third such conversion. I use lighter smoother tires, with aluminum wheels and switch out the handlebars/cables to aluminum bars with risers for a more upright position. I would like suggestions on what has 50 teeth on the big gear with three rings and 170 cranks?

DIMcyclist

You might want to check out the 'Drop-bar Conversions' thread, as well as the 'Poor Man's Rivendell' thread; some beautiful bikes have been shown there over the years.

Do you think Toei would make one of those if someone asked them nicely enough?

Vonruden

Love that Toei, if me I would go with Sugino Pro Dynamic's.

SuperLJ

Weird champagne color, but here's a 49T 110mm chainring for $25:

Willow Chainring - 110 bcd - 34t 37t 49t 50t 51t 53t - Rivendell | eBay

SuperLJ

My vote's for the Sugino AT. Classic good looks and a much lower Q-factor than you'll get with many modern triples. I use an IRD Quad55 127mm BB set with no spacers fot the AT crank on my Trek 620. Since it's a symetrical spindle, it gets the inner chainring to within 3mm of the chainstay resulting in a Q-factor of ~148. According to Frank Berto, this is the best way to set up triples. Since you're only going to use the inner ring with the largest cogs, there's no reason to create a chainline centered on the middle chainring.


Edit: Sorry - I missed that you'd already made your crankset choice...

ironwood

For a Toei, which is probably more "French" than anything in France, I'd go with a TA Pro vis 5 or a copy such as the Sun XCD, or a Stronglight 49 with TA rings. The René Herse copies from Compass would also be a good choice. My recommendation is simply based on my taste and style prefernce , not on quality or performance.

illwafer

What chain rings are those on your AT? They are fantastic.

SuperLJ

Willow. Still some for sale here: Willow Chainrings, &c. | Treetop Designs.

illwafer

Purchased. Thank you, sir.

SuperLJ

My pleasure - glad to help!

ThermionicScott 

I bought one of those Willow chainrings in 49T/130BCD for my go-fast bike. Gonna put it on before spring.

palincss

I think you should figure out the gearing you want, and then see what cranksets will let you achieve it. Some of the ones you mention have a 130mm bolt circle that will preclude a middle ring smaller than 39 or 38, ruling out my favorite gearing. But since you mentioned aesthetics, have you considered the Rene Herse crank? That should be the icing on the cake for a Toei.

DIMcyclist

Well... it's been a strange trip with more than a few twists & turns.

Among other things, I finagled a great score over the holidays with a pair of matching Primus 48cm frame pumps, same as the original issue for both the Toei & the Atlantis shown below.

I also found a bottom bracket that addresses my needs, having finally settled on the Sugino AT as the Toei's crankset, coupled with another pair of gems I've had tucked away for about a decade or so: a mint Shimano MT60 derailleur set. The BB will be an IRD QB-95; it comes in the right length with a JIS taper and it can be adjusted like a Phil, which eliminates my concerns about chainline. Another nice thing about it is its concave shell; it makes for easy routing of the internal generator wire around the spindle. All in all, a pretty good match up, I think.

As a final note, the RX100 crankset & LX derailleurs won't go to waste but will instead be used on my Atlantis, since they're cosmetically similar to its OEM SunTour components (XCD 6000, circa 1990). Btw, this Atlantis isn't GP's Rivendell frame, but Bridgestone's earlier, non-export 650B frame that first inspired the XO series.

Just in case you're curious, here's a pic or two from the Atlantis repaint (the first image was taken after applying the gold base-coat; the second was taken after the first coat of red top-coat, unsanded. The final color will be a deep metallic cherry.):