spirits of japan
 

oh please, that's killing me!

Scott

because you ^ asked!
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1437598_n.jpg

Sugino Alpina compact (48/34) from velo orange
Going on my '89 waterford paramount

That is sweet! Look forward to seeing it on your Waterford.

Scott

Thanks, hopefully I can find a bottom bracket that works, my paramount currently has a mavic press-in bottom bracket, and I was told by the original owner it is italian(!) threaded. Shell width is ~67mm. I haven't had reason before now to pull the mavic unit, going to find out today what the deal is. I might have to use a phil wood BB?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/CIMG0756.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j...0/CIMG0757.JPG

Nice. After going compact double on my path bomber, I've been thinking about getting the compact double Aplina from VO for my roadie. Thing is, it would replace an Alpina triple that I don't particularly care for because I prefer square taper spindle BB's.

Wow. I'm not even one to go nuts over a crank-set, but that thing's beautiful. I also can't wait to see pics of it on the bike.

Japanese Spirits? I was expecting some decent quality Sake, or, even better, some Suntory Yamazaki.

Or one of those ghost things from "Princess Mononoke".

http://unknownpoets.blogs.sapo.pt/ar...20mononoke.jpg

48/34 is a nice combo, I was rolling around with that for a while on a 13/30 7 speed freewheel. Really good for most purposes like that.

So I was looking at these Alpinas. But my only nits were I would have liked a little bit higher gear once in a while, although this wasn't too big a deal as that situation didn't occur too often. However, my need for a lower gear when pulling a trailer uphill was a little bit of a bigger deal. But now with the Shimano HG61 9 Speed 12/36 cassette, both of those issues are addressed.

I just went and ordered one of those from Velo Orange, great deal on sale at 145 dollars, couldn't resist. They were out of 170mm, so I got the ever popular 172.5 mm.

http://www.fasthack.com/images/weblo.../grudge2-1.jpg
or her....

Why are top gears so high? I rarely need a 100 inch gear. Lots of top gears are much higher than that these days. This is where many of our extra speeds are going, and they're not useful.

I put that same special Alpina on my new Soulcraft. Such a nice crank, it really helps finish off the bike.

I wonder about that too Tom. Back in the day when I was racing as a Junior we were limited to a top gear of 98" IIRC. The only people that I know that can roll out a top gear much over that are hard core racers, so what if you have to coast down a few hills. I would much rather have the gears on the lower end and mid range where I can really use them. Probably why I prefer 3 speeds...hill gear, road gear and tailwind gear. All you need :D then you always have the shank's mare gear for your bailout on the really brutal hills.

Aaron :)

Thank you, Aaron. I'm glad I'm not the only one. In 1982 or so, the junior limit was 93 inches. I believe it's currently 100 inches. It's a good rule.

What good is adding speeds if all the new speeds are speeds we'll never use? Talk about marketing hype!

And if you ride a lot in your 12- or 11-tooth cog, you'll wear it out mighty fast.

Nice Crank!

Maybe ours was below the 98" I am remembering. I was racing Junior Class around 1973, still have the ABLA rule book from then around somewhere.

Aaron :)

Nearly all the bikes I've ever had seemed to be over-geared — for me anyway. And I'm not that much of a wimp. I came to the conclusion that they came geared up for CAT racers — and that don't work for this guy. So I take what comes up front and have lots of big cogs on the back as well as a big enough cage to move the chain around. I just had to swallow enough ego to do it, and I won't being going back.

I love Sugino. I have some bits too. Really nice kit, you guys — yummy!

My paramount wasn't really overgeared for around here - piedmont NC, but it was undergeared for the NC mountains. I want to have one "mountain" bike, hence the switch to compact gearing. My rear cog is already maxed out at 26 (8 speed dura ace). My paramount is somewhat unusual in that it has a 68mm (67 actually) BB shell, but italian threading. The sugino compact crank is JIS taper, and requires a 110mm spindle length. So I ordered an 111mm phil wood JIS BB w/ italian mounting rings. Should work, correct? What other options did I have?

Well after that statement your going to have to post a picture! C&V can look away if it bugs them......

Well after almost a month I finally have the sugino crankset installed. I chose to let the LBS do the work, as I (1) did not have the phil wood BB tools, and (2) did not have an italian thread tap to chase the threads. I have not yet ridden the bike, plus it's raining here due to TS Lee, so no ride report yet. I will take pics tonight though and post them up here.

One that subject I agree with Grant Peterson. Most bikes are geared way too high.

It depends on how flat the terrain is and how much momentum you can keep I guess. I find myself only using the three highest gears in the city the vast majority of the time. One to get going from a light or a hill, and the next to pick up momentum until I reach the highest. The second to highest is probably my most comfortable all around gear but I find myself spinning that like crazy on a long straight or any kind of decline so I have to hit the highest gear (which is ~100 gi) even if I don't stay in it that long. I also have an inability to just cruise along obviously.

pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/001-28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/002-22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/003-19.jpg

hopefully I can try it out in the mountains soon!