Hi,
I am considering replacing the crankset on my Italvega road bike. Currently it has a Nervar 170 cm. 52/40 chromed steel set. About how much (approx.) weight reduction if I go to a Campagnolo crankset? Would it be a direct change? Also advice or thoughts on Campagnolo Record vs. Nuovo Record vs. Super Record cranksets. Thanks.
Skip Magnuson

You'll loose about a pound +, I'd guess. The crank arms above are all the same. The chainrings for the Super are lighter than the regular Record rings. "Nuovo" as far as the crank area was concerned, was the bottom bracket... The Nuovo cups had spiral grooves to help keep dirt out; regular Record (earlier) didn't. Super Record bottom brackets are really light, with Ti spindle & aluminum cups, but also somewhat rare & costly. For durability, I say go with good-used Nuovo Record BB (you'll need Italian threads & matching 70mm spindle), and an older Record crankset. They'll be period to your frame, save you weight, and last quite a while.

Hi Jack (TheOtherGuy),
Thanks for the response. I understand you recomend 1) Good-used Nuovo Record BB, 2) Older (vintage) Record crankset, 3) Italian threads & matching 70 mm spindle. I've looked at Sheldon Brown's information and I guess I need more information on the spindle. I see (on eBay) several Campagnolo spindles (70SS, 68SS) with diferent overall lengths. Will all Campy spindles have Italian threads? (36mm x 24 tpi). Do I take my Nerval crankset off and measure the spindle? Can you provide a little more information on a correct spindle or how to select one? Or maybe recommend a good book that would guide me. Many thanks.
Skip Magnuson

Just buy a complete BB. You'll probably want a "pre-'77" type. The spindle you need will be marked 70-SS-120 for use with a Strada (road) crankset. You do want the Italian cups with it, marked 36x24. A spindle marked 68-SS-120 is for non-Italian (British, French); you want the one with the "70", as Italian BB shells are a tad wider, so ignore those with a 68 marking.

um... Skip. TheOtherGuy knows his stuff, but his name isn't Jack. Jack Taylor is a maker of upscale bicycles (mostly steel tourers). I can definitely understand the confusion on your part though.

I've been called worse... I'm just a fan of JT bikes, hence their logo as my avatar. I think it's time for a change though... How 'bout Rossin? I like them too. Maybe ItalVega next month...

Sorry about "Jack" but I didn't want to call you "Dirty old Man".
Thanks for the help.
And use the Italvega what ever it's called.
Skip

Don't forget that Campagnolo crank arms changed as well. Early (pre CPSC adapted) had no date code on the back of the arms, it will be marked strada 170 for example, 170 being the length and most abundant. For the first generation BB to work get only cranks with up to a date code of a 6 in a Diamond, marked adjacent to the strada & size. The later will be skirting, or after the change in dimensions where one needs a longer spindle. Complicated? Yes to a point, does require some research, a problem comes with an older spindle BB and newer cranks, one gets poor chainline and or the small chainring hits the chainstay. Newer BB with old cranks puts the rings too far out. And the newer cranks have extra spacing between the big ring centerline and the inside of the arm to allow the later derailluer cage to clear, as it had a skin puncture protection lip. So blame all this nonsense on the CPSC
There are some other identifiers, but one needs some visual reference to compare. I won't get into chainring bolt circle differences, the original pattern cranks will go for too much on ebay to be reasonable anyway.

number6 my friend, you need an avatar...

Note while he endured being called No.6, he refused to wear the badge.

Why called #6? well his car was a Seven. KAR120C on the plate. Would sell a couple of Masi's for one of those.

be seeing you.

Sevens are a kick. I used to lust for one as well. Got a Europa Special project now... Someday I'll get to drive it.

BTW- pretty sure you can still pick up a Seven kit to build yourself... Many of the originals were built up that way.

AFAIK Nervar spindles are Campi compatable. When I put Campi cranks on my Raleigh Super Course MkII I just used the the stock Nervar spindle. I used period correct cranks though, the new ones probably need a shorter spindle. (Maybe not if you go to a triple.) But you should be able to install the cranks to see how much shorter you need to go.

... including the one in the "Prisoner" story line. I have the "Prisoner" book, if anyone needs a reference, quotation, trivia answer, etc.


Portmeirion, where the hotel registration clerks tell arriving guests, "We want information."

https://www.portmeirion-village.com/

I have a serious jones for a Europa, JPS version if I can find one!
Sevens never did much for me.
But then again I like old Ferraris. Biggest mistake? when I first
got to RSA could have bout right hand drive Dino for less than $50k
1/2 year later they were going for 3x that. . . oh well at least I have
a pog.


Marty