look171

I have a Super Record BB in my old Casati from the mid 80s with a panto-graph SR crank. A friend signed me up to do this Eroica CA ride because he knows that I have raced on those old race bikes. The only thing that's complete is the Casati. Problem is the 53/42 and 7 speed straight stack, 13-19 freewheel. He tells me that there are 7000' of climbing and 25 miles of gravel road. No way in heck I am going to make that with a 42x19. When I was 25 and putting in 350-400 miles a week, that would be a yes, maybe, but now, no freaking way.

So, I don't want to pull that BB out (PITA since I repacked it when this was gone through and put away), but would like to keep the SR rear mech. and the freewheel but put on a used triple crank (I swear that I would never have a triple on any of my bike. Death before dishonored. Now I am eating those words) I see for sale on ebay. Since I know nothing a about triple cranks, will it fit on there? Other option is to strip off an old Cook Bro's Dog Bone triple from my old mtb (rusting away outside) and use that. It has a BB but wondering if that will fit.

My plan is to run triple 52/42/32 or 30 and use my existing Campy Super Record front and rear derailleur and shift levers with DA hub with a set of old Mavic Open Pros I have hanging from my rafter in my garage. My other concern is the saddle. I like and are used to my modern saddle Prologo saddle but with that old Turbo saddle, it will kill me in 80s miles. I wonder if they will allow a Flight saddle to pass? Everything is period correct down to my old racing club jeresy. Damn thing kept shrinking but its a little on the tight side. Any suggestions and I know you guys here a smart bunch.

look171

Oh, I may run 10 speed DA 12-23, a new chain and be done with it, or keep the SR crank, install an old XTR rear derailleur and have a 28 large cog on there. I current ride a 39x23 and a 34x23 if I know if I have to climb.

bradtx

look171, My distance roadie has a 32 GI low, more than enough for my old legs tackling a serious climb. Generally I'll use something in the mid to upper 30 GI range. I know you're more accustomed to climbing than I, but anything in the 30s should do you well.

Brad

look171

is that small ring a 42, 39 or ?

I am mainly a flat lander ( I live near the foothills). That, I mean 1- 2000' of climbing or rolling hills is what we normally do. I dislike the long drawn out climbs. I sometimes do them but they are no fun. We have plenty of those hills around here but not for me.

bradtx

look171, My distance roadie uses a 52-42-30T triple and a 14-25T cassette.

If you can cobble up a period correct (How strict are the vintage rules?) compact double, a 34X25 granny will yield a ~37 GI low, 34X27 granny equals ~34 GI. This can possibly allow your current BB (Be aware of spindle taper differences.) Probably still need a longer cage RD for chain wrap.

Again, I just don't know what the rules allow. Good luck




Brad

look171

not sure about the rules? This is the first time we are doing this. 30 25 is so low. you can climb a tree with that.

Kevindale

Very interested in this thread. The idea of riding in a L'Eroica event is part of what got me excited about C&V bicycles, and I now have two vintage bikes that I could use. Unfortunately, I too am a flat-land rider, and both vintage bikes have 42x24 as the lowest gearing. Plus I don't think either will take more than a 25 mm tire, so the gravel is worrisome.

On the few smallish climbs I ride I sometimes need the 39x26 gearing on my Cannondale, so I think I'd end up walking a good chunk of L'Eroica.

look171

don't walk man. Death before dishonored was our motto. It still haven't changed all hat much. I haven't walked a hill in a very long time. Just grit your teeth nd get over the hump. Now, gears help a heck of a lot and make you look good

look171

Are you in Ca? Are you doing this thing in April. I am not much of a social, touring, wine and cheese guy. All of my riding is still competitive group rides to get my blood flowing with a bunch of old bike racers. This one in April will be fun as I am looking forward to riding my old Casati again.

Salamandrine 

Maybe. What crank is it that you want to use? Most likely the existing campy BB is 115. A lot of triples take 110-113 so that works out about right if you are using a JIS triple (usually will sit ~4mm inboard). Oftentimes you just have to try it and see.

It might be easier just to stick a 14-28 freewheel on there and deal with it. You've got 6 months to train! I usually figure needing about 2-3 more teeth on the back for off road than I would normally use for road. Main issue is maintaining traction if it's muddy.

look171

I see you are in LA too. I went up Big T to the ranger station Sunday on my 39 / 23 until the end. I suffered a little but it was n't too bad. The last time I went up that was about 6 years ago. My only ride is the Montrose ride every staurday and sometimes the Rosebowl but rare that I get a chance to ride during the week.

The crank I am thinking about is an old Mtb triple by Cook Brothers, Dog Bone. My problem is not so much the climbing. I don't think they will be too steep. The mileage and riding in the dirt will kill me. If not, riding clips and straps and that old saddle will do me in after 50 miles.

Like you said, it might just be easier to just pop in a freewheel and be done with it.

Kevindale

I lived near the Rose Bowl for years, but moved about 4 years ago to Louisiana for a job (that's redundant -- they can be no other reason to move to Louisiana that I can see). I was recently staying in Redondo Beach for a couple of months and riding along the beach and on the LA River trail, and questioning why we moved. I'm now back in Shreveport (Rachet City!) for a bit before my wife and I figure out where we're going to be working/living next. Returning to Southern Cal is one of three options we're entertaining.

I have no idea when I'll try a L'Eroica event. I've only gotten half-way serious about riding in the last couple of years, and haven't even done a metric century yet. But I'm working up to it!

jcb3

I rode the event last year and saw lots of standard campy cranks (52/42) with campy NR RDs and the soma rear cage plates, so they could run a 32 or 34 on the rear. If you are doing the long ride, plan on doing quite a bit of walking, unless you are a monster (or a feather). I was in pretty good shape (had no problem riding GMR during training, and even set 8th fastest on one strava segment on GMR) and had to walk a few of the steeper dirt slopes - even running a 26 front 32 rear.

look171

I now live down the Fwy from the Rosebowl. I grew up riding that crazy fast tuesday and Thursday ride where all the local hot dog bike racers show up and put the hurt on us mortals. I was 15 when I start riding seriously. Something about Socal that keeps us here. Crime, crowd, traffic, I love them all, including the drivers that throw coke at riders. I am not going anywhere. Hope to see you back here soon on your bike.

look171

Thanks for the tip. That's section is what I worry about. I still have my Adidas shoes from the mid 80s. Those are not good for walking that's for sure

repechage

I would probably go long cage rear mechanism first as well. 30t upper for what has been described.
For a triple crank,unless more Mod, you are going to need a longer spindle. If you have a true Super Record BB with the ti spindle and aluminum cups… an entire BB will be needed.

That said, If I can find the time next year, I will go with a 53/40 as two bikes have those and freewheel depending on how I am feeling leading up to the date. A few test rides up Mandeville Canyon Fire Road too before hand to bring back the technique.

look171

Not much of an off rode rider. I fall more then I stay on the bike in the dirt, so mtb was just a joke. plus, I am a wuss.

It a true Campy SR BB but not ti. I value my balls more then weight. I raced on that thing back in 83 when I was a jr.

crank_addict

Go vintage or go home... (jus' kiddin'). Anyways, suggest for any of the vintage events is to play along and not overthink it. Have fun with whatever you ride or set-up. Who cares what one rides.... triple... so be it. More the better if even sporting ill fitted old kit.

For your rider I would leave everything but for the cogs and choice of rubber. You probably won't be able to go wider in that frame but try for a fast surface cross tire. Gearing, a 52/42 with a 14/30 is plenty fine for the event giving you sub 37 g.i. bailout. That derailleur will handle it but use with caution. A warning reminder taped on the tt or stem is what I use. For that frames geometry, the dropout adjuster screws might need to be removed and the axle set furthest rearward. After the event, its a simple reversal.

[IMG]DSC_0817 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]DSC_0818 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]vintage class Dairyland Dare cog set-up by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

jcb3

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ghlight=Eroica

Photos from last year's event - event photos starting page 6 - before that, much planning

Salamandrine 

Big Tujunga? Or little Tujunga? how is the traffic on that? I'm actually a Bay Area transplant and still don't really know the rides. Most of them have too many cars for my liking. Fortunately Griffith park is pretty much my back yard, so I can always do laps there. I recall Angeles Crest as being a good ride when I was a teen, but there's way more traffic and seemingly less shoulder than there was in the 80s. Guess I should hit the regional board for some ideas.

Anyhow, I don't know what spindle the Cook Bros crank needs. I kinda think if you're an ex racer with a past of 400mi/wks, you'll be able to tough it out with a 13-28 and a couple long practice rides beforehand. Jobst Brandt would say a 13-21 is enough...

look171

Oh yeah, that 400 mile week was 25 years ago at the age of 22 riding a 42 x21 over to the Devil Punch Bowl. Now, its more like 21x42 out back to get over that.

I still go to the "Park" when I get a chance. A good bit of climbing over Trashtruck and push the wind all the way into Burbank on Forest Lawn. I went to High School 1/2 miles from the entrance to the park. That was my training ground for 10 years. You live near the Lake or Atwater? What kind of riding do you like to do?

look171

Non complain, but try to see if anyone have a better solution to my BB issues or tips

Road Fan

I haven't ridden an Eroica yet, but I have read a bunch of threads about rules being irregularly applied (seemingly -- What would the Donald say??), and not understood by many riders. But some were turned away. What I take away is, read the rules and follow what's necessary.

I'm not sure if it's about vintage frames with whatever running gear, or about vintage frames with period-correct if not original running gear. But it would be good to know before day of event, right?

As far as your bike goes, I have a vintage Masi that is now all NR, and it would be real hard for me to do even a Midwest Eroica, which has gotta be flatter than a West Coast Eroica, though Michigan has lots of deep rollers.

And without going to a TA Cyclotourist-based compact with a Duopar rear derailleur (keeping the Campy front mech and DT shifters, THEN a 14-30 or so, I don't think I'd be able to configure a period-correct reasonable vintage setup, for my meager climbing-fu.

jimmuller 

Like #bradtx, my bikes all have low gears around 32". I wanted to use the Campy crank on the Masi so it runs 47,42 rings and a 14-34 6-spd FW. It's a slightly higher low gear than the other bikes but not so much that I'd ever notice. I've never ridden in California but New England has its share of hills. Whether that triple will fit on your spindle or not I couldn't say.

jcb3

I included the thread because I recall a bit of gearing and related equipment discussion - thought your issue was discussed there, but I could be mistaken