Originally Posted by
Piff
I've seen your build thread, you really nailed it. Perfect 70s japanese sport touring setup. Have you ever set it up with a luggage for a small tour or anything like that?
I've been drooling over old catalogs Rivendell catalogs with the Rambouillet. I feel like the Fuji Finest is pretty dang close in terms of geometry. Even fit-wise better with the short top tube, for me.
I'm going to try to keep it as original (or, at least 70s japanese) as possible, we'll see if how feasible that will be for the drivetrain. The Sugnio Mighty Comp cranks are gorgeous, but 144bcd. I've got a nice 13-30 shimano 6-speed 600 freewheel that might be barely low enough when paired with a 42t cog for hilly california riding. Loaded though...probably not. I guess a 110bcd Mighty tour or your SR Apex cranks would look the part and get the gearing low enough. I kinda hate the idea of going into 86bcd though, have you had any issues sourcing rings?
I haven't done touring on the bike but with soft bags, it would make a first rate credit card tourer. I found the 86 SR Apex crank on eBay. New 86 bcd chainrings are available from UK vendors but with the end of the de minimis exception that has become problematic. Why not a sugino AT triple? Yes it's from the 80s but it will look good on the bike and chainrings will be easy to find.
I'm running compact gearing on a mighty tour crank (46/34 rings) that I plan on installing on a Pinarello cross but I also have a 12-32 7 speed freewheel so that will give me the low gearing I want.