Here is my conundrum. My Cinelli B has taken up residence in the kitchen, because the basement is a little damp and it is mostly steel rather than alloy like my other bikes that live in the basement. The Cinelli gets oiled, polished, looked at and adjusted quite a bit, but I haven't been taking it on many rides because the gearing was obviously meant for someone more manly than me. The rings in the front are 49/51 and when I'm trying to make it up the steep hill to my house it is a little heart-braking.

The bike is all original, so I am loathe to change or even touch the cottered Magistroni crankset, but it doesn't seem possible with the current set-up to change the inner ring to something smaller. Or maybe it is and I am just an idiot.

Anyway I was hoping to take the Cinelli on a Toronto - Niagara Falls trip I am planning with some of the youth that I work with, but I know from doing the ride last year I won't make it with those gears. I would take Jenny but am still too fat.

Any solutions that will work with the current crank set-up? Thanks a lot, Devin.

that is a beautifull bike. how long is the hill to the house? have you considered changing the FW?

Here some FW options that may help:
11-32 7 speed
https://www.cycle9.com/c9store/electr...-11-30-t-p-136
14-34 7 speed
https://www.cycle9.com/c9store/electr...eel-13-28-p-97
There are also some 8 speed FW https://www.cycle9.com/c9store/electr...ue-arm-c-21_22
This is a good place to buy this wide range FW. I have been a happy custommer of Cycle9

A 14-28 fw would give you a range of about 46 - 96 inches. I guess it all depends on the hills, your legs and how badly you want it. If that were my bike I'd want it pretty badly.

Thanks for all the help! The freeweheel is currently 13 - 23, which I thought was kind of big already. If you all think the rear derailleur (it is a steel Campy Record, not NR) can handle a 28 tooth rear then that is what I'll do! I wasn't sure it could because it is short cage and almost 50 years old.

Buy a good dehumidifier!!! I have a rock house (see my avatar). Foundation walls are rock, so can you say porous? I run a dehumidifier year round (both in the basement and main floor).

There are two different BCD's out there that fit that style of crankset. I forgot what they are; one pattern was used by Nevar, the other by Stronglight for their steel Competition crankset. I believe the former is a bit smaller than the latter.

What size ring were you considering? Do keep in mind that the Record RD can only handle so much too.

-Kurt

On my other bikes the small ring is 42, and I find with a 42 all I need is up to 21 or 22 with the freewheel and I can handle pretty much any hill in Toronto. However, I would sooner change the freewheel than the rings is that is a possibility, because I think it would impact the look of the bike less. The rings that are on there now are original and they are Simplex. I will look and see what the Stronglight ones look like. Thanks!

A 26t rear large cog w/ your 49t front ring will give you about the same gear as the 42/22 that works for you on your other bikes

Well, Mr. Corncob, someone who knows more can chime in, but I'd be surprised if it couldn't handle at least a 26 if not 28. Bigger than that, I wouldn't be surprised to hear some Italian expletives coming from the rear.

I'd find (maybe borrow?) an appropriate freewheel and give it a test. You'll probably need a new chain, but that's not a big deal.

Perfect! 26 sounds a little more reasonable than 28 to me.

Okay last question: did I get this right? I had the morning off and am trying to get this bike road ready. I was never sure of the proper way to mount a tubular behind your saddle - is this it?

That is one way. There are others. Search is your friend on this site. I just can't find the URL I would like to send you.

Thanks! As long as that is one way I am happy. People keep telling me that Search on this site is my friend, but my real friends don't treat me that way

I mined this out of CR list archives:
Some of the posts there suggest that the Record can handle up to 34 teeth with
no problem as long as the chainring difference is 5 or 6 teeth or less which easily
fits your 49-51.

Marty

available here, at the bottom of the page:
https://www.bikeville.com/tires.html

Thank you - that is great to know.