Triple for a PX10
 

I'm planning an August expedition to the Lost Coast on my much-beloved PX10 and today it hit me: I am no longer in high school, and so the 54/42 rings (Campy--I long ago converted) aren't going to cut it. What to do?

Ideally, I want a half-step granny, and I'm willing to pay (within reason) to make it happen. I think I know what the answer is going to be, but thought I'd try anyway: Where, oh where, can I get a triple touring crankset for this bike? And is there any way to make a triple spindle fit in the existing Campy bottom bracket? In a pinch, I suppose I could settle for a Campy triple, which, if I recall, goes down to 36T. But smaller would be better.

Any suggestions gladly accepted. Thanks.

I've been thinking about going to a triple lately, so I've been looking into this a bit. It appears there are three possibilities.

1) Buy a TA tripilizer to replace you 42T ring. The tripilizer is a 144mm BCD 42T chainring that has extensions that allow you to bolt a 74mm BCD chainring to it. You can get a 74mm TA chainring a small as 24T.

2) Buy a newer triple crankset. I've read that some people bought a Campagnolo Mirage crankset for that purpose. Those are realatively cheap. Others may work, but are expensive.

3) Buy a NOS or used Campagnolo triple crankset, if you can find one.

You'll probably need a longer spindle to make room for the third chainring and maintain chin alignment. I think the longer spindle would fit your bottom bracket, but I'm no expert.

I put a Campy Record triple on my PX10. The BB is an EDCO 121 mm cartridge. I don't know where you'd find either one.

This would be my first choice:

http://www.velo-orange.com/pro5viscr.html

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/39...600x600Q85.jpg

I have a Campy triple on my Paramount I could use, but I'd like to go lower than 36T (the hills where I'm going are REALLY steep). The tripilizer sounds tantalizing. Would it fit on my Campy crankset? And who might stock such things? Just checked Harris Cyclery and see that I could go the Phil route for $160 (plus $16 for the mounting tool, presuming I can't find someone to do it). I'd still need a crankset, but see that a Mirage in a 52-42-30 is available for $50 So, worst-case scenario, $210 or thereabouts to make it happen (plus, of course, new derailleurs, freewheel and chain). Hmm. That's doable. Some might say crazy, but doable. For those who haven't had the pleasure, there's nothing like a PX10 for touring. More than what I paid for the bike, but worth it.

I can't agree that a PX10 is a good choice for loaded touring. I tried it when my '74 was new. The chainstays are too short and the headtube is too steep. My girlfriend's UO-8 turned out to be a better choice.

Peter White in NH has the TA triplizer in their online catalog. I'm not sure if they have it in stock. Harris used to stock it, but I'm not if they still do.

I noted that compyoldy.com in England has a Campagnolo Record triple crankset from the Ergo period with a 30T small chainring. I'm not sure, but I think that's a 9 speed crankset. That might work. You might check there for the spindle, too. Seems like you would just need a longer spindle, but, as I said before, I'm no expert.

To each his own, of course.

I'm not the sort to get sentimental over machinery, but my Peugeot is different. With lugs that look like they were cut by hacksaw, original paint with LOTS of chips and scratches, never-will-shine-again Campy components and scarred brake levers, it is a hideous bike that I affectionately call the Peu-Yuck. But it is beautiful to me.

I found it moldering in someone's basement when I was a sophomore in high school. I paid $200--way too much, especially considering it had sew-ups, so I had to ditch the wheels. First serious tour, I did 140 miles, fully loaded, on the first day out. Only problem was boils on the butt--my Brooks Pro wasn't broken in yet, but it was by the time I got home. Then from Seattle to Monterey and back inside of a month, also fully loaded (I've never believed in sag wagons or large group tours). Also a week through North Carolina and Virginia. Took a few lesser tours, than a hiatus, then back to it in my 30s, when I rode it through Montana and Wyoming, northern California and Washington and Oregon, all tours lasting at least a week, all with full packs. Then another hiatus and now, in my mid-40s, back to it.

This bike has never, ever let me down. It's stable enough, even with packs, to ride no hands. I can fix it blindfolded. Unlike other touring bikes I've known, it's fun to ride unloaded (although not as much fun as my 1980 Colnago Super, but I'd give that bike up before I'd say goodbye to the Peugeot). I also have a P15 Paramount built in 1977 that's a piece of proverbial you-know-what when it comes to touring. On high-speed descents, it's prone to pray-for-your-life shimmy. I suspect I might have picked up a lemon. It's a beautiful bike, but that's about it. I'd never take it on a serious ride.

If I didn't love this PX10 and hadn't logged thousands of miles on it, there's no way I would spend enough to buy a secondhand touring bike to get the gearing I need to tackle extended 15-percent grades with packs now that I'm not young anymore. A lot of folks would say I'm nuts for not buying another bike, and maybe I am. At this point, the frame, headset, seat post and stem are the only things that haven't been replaced. Call me old school--I remember the days when only Italian would do and they sold bumper stickers that said "Friends Don't Let Friends Ride Trek." If I sound defensive, I guess I am.


Forgive my gushing. And thanks to everyone for the information here. It's been VERY helpful and gives me great hope that my problem is not insurmountable, and that there is more than one solution. If there is interest, I will re-post with info on whatever I end up doing.

Peace.

Have you considered a modern compact crankset?

If you already have a Campy BB in there couldnt you swap out the spindle to a Shimano mtb spindle and use some type of Shimano mtb crank like a Deore? Shimano stuff is dirt cheap.

Yes, someone had suggested this a couple years back when I was pondering this project/journey and not in a financial position to make it happen. However, my traveling partner says that MTB big rings don't go bigger than 48T, which, if true, isn't big enough (remember, I'll be using a five block, possibly six, and I can still crank on the flats, especially with a wind behind me). If someone knows otherwise, please advise. Thanks.

I love my PX10, too. I've had it for 35 years. I've replaced just about everything more than once. I'm just saying it's not ideal for loaded touring.

I'd be interested in knowing what you decide to do with this.

You can go up to at least a 52 with a 110 bcd.

If it was me I'd go with TA or stronglight 49d crank arms with TA rings. I believe you can buy a longer spindle that will work with your BB.

Look for one of the old Avocet/Ofmega cranks. They have a standard 144mm BCD plateau for the outer and middle rings, and drillings for 102mm BCD and 74mm BCD rings as well:

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/ofmega01.jpg

I have a set of 175mm arms I'm not using. PM if interested and we can work something out.

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/avocet175.jpg