Hi all,

I’m working on an old 60s Mercier for a friend (just painted back to a similar pink/violet original color, although it’s difficult to find exactly the same and it turned out more in the violet tones), trying to preserve its period equipment, only wheels will have a few years more. It came with Campy Gran Sport RD on its dropout hanger (because of the not-threaded hole on the frame), Campy Record FD (model with cable stop), a 52-45 TA crankset, Mafac brakes, Milremo dropbar/seatpost and a wonderful Ideale saddle.

Now, the crankset needs to be replaced as the left arm cracked (!) when screwing it to the axle (didn’t know it could happen). At the same time, the gear ratios need to be lowered given it’s pretty hilly around here and existing gear ratios where rather tough for climbing with a 5s 14/22 freewheel. After a few tests, my friend’s minimum gear ratio target is at least 1,3x-1,4x for the 8-10% steep uphills here around, to be achieved with a new double or triple crankset and a new freewheel. Not an easy task for me given this old frame constraints. Some thoughts:

• Rear derailleur: I’ve read the posts on the Gran Sport RD and conclude that while aesthetically nice, it might not be an appropriate solution to keep it, given its limited chain wrap (18t) capacity and difficult setting with its pivot centered in the middle between pulleys. If changed, however, it should be in the same style, so basically a Campy. I have a Nuovo Record available that offers more flexibility, will it be possible to install it on the same hanger or could some alignment problems arise? The hanger being into the dropout and taking some space, it will not be possible to push the wheel all the way back (see picture).
• Crankset: a new French one would be perfectly in line with the bike. I could get a 50-40 Stronglight that might help and have a compatible bottom bracket with a 118mm spindle, I guess there would be no pb with the front derailleur and rear derailleur should handle it too. I could also get a triple Stronglight 50-40-30 which would be even better for uphills, but in this case not sure if FD and RD could handle it, nor if the spindle length will be long enough.
• Freewheel: one with 24-26 largest cog? I fear a 28 will not fit into the frame if too many speeds and will not be easily handled by the Nuovo Record RD (I understand some have been successful but others not…?).

So, possible solutions:

• double 50-40 Stronglight crank + Nuovo Record RD + 14/26 freewheel, giving a min. gear ratio of 1,5 —> a little above target but hopefully feasible
• triple 50-40-30 Stronglight crank + Nuovo Record RD + 14/24 freewheel, giving a min. gear ratio of 1,25 —> well on target but technically a huge challenge

Any other thought? I know the best way is to try, but your suggestions will be precious before buying the new crankset.

Many thanks.