Originally Posted by
old's'cool
From the photo I'm really doubting the middle ring is 49 - can you double check that?
You can actually see the "42" stamped in the middle ring at about the 10 o'clock position. Have you tried measuring the BCD of the granny ring?
When you think about it, the Campy Record triple crankset can be set up as a Compact Crankset with an overdrive gear. Most modern compacts are 34 or 36 and 50 doubles. Exchange the middle ring for a 49 or 50, and either keep the 52 or even bump it up to a 53 or 54. Of course buying all these extra 144BCD Campy rings could set you back slightly.
If you could have your rear wheel redished and axle respaced to 126mm, and added a 7 speed freewheel that was geared approximately 14-16-18-21-24-26-32 or 34, you would gain significant climbing advantage. The Rally could handle this arrangement.