Decent budget bottom bracket/crankset for a Schwinn Le Tour III?
07-05-09, 03:41 PM
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Decent budget bottom bracket/crankset for a Schwinn Le Tour III?
Looking to start working on the drivetrain next. Square tapered cartridge bottom brackets are pretty cheap and seem the best way to go. Any thoughts on the crankset? I currently find the small ring and the 5 in back are pretty good. I don't use the large ring at all. I would like to get some lower gears for the hills on the new commute.
Double or Triple? I know Velo Orange and others have some nice looking touring triples, just don't know if I want to spend $100.
Double or Triple? I know Velo Orange and others have some nice looking touring triples, just don't know if I want to spend $100.
07-05-09, 05:22 PM
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You should be able to find a nice vintage crankset for $20 to $25. Or find a donor bike and "borrow" the crankset. I took the two larger 110 BCD chainrings from an older MTB donor I had and created a compact double for my Lotus, I think the sizes are somewhere in the 35/47 range.
07-05-09, 05:43 PM
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You can probably find a Shimano 105 or 600 crank in nice shape for about $25.00. Classic design, easy to get 130bcd chainrings, and they last forever. Probably can pick up a Dura Ace of the same vintage too, but it'll cost a few bucks more to no advantage.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
07-05-09, 09:30 PM
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Thanks. I'll keep an eye an out for those. Maybe scrounge the bin at the co-op.
What compatibility issues do I have as I swap this stuff out? Is it worth stretching the back a bit to fit a more modern cassette? Or just keep the freewheel? (I think a lot will depend on how decent the wheels are at the co-op) I'd prefer to keep it simple and not go too crazy. I'm happy with friction shift and the 5 speed freewheel. Just need a slightly better range.
What compatibility issues do I have as I swap this stuff out? Is it worth stretching the back a bit to fit a more modern cassette? Or just keep the freewheel? (I think a lot will depend on how decent the wheels are at the co-op) I'd prefer to keep it simple and not go too crazy. I'm happy with friction shift and the 5 speed freewheel. Just need a slightly better range.
