I have,, for the past 20 years, had only the 53T chainring on my 1987 Litespeed race bike.This all resulted from being in the middle of an important tri and having my chain fall off during shifting from the large to small chainring.Instead of buying a new hightech bike to replace my Tachyon,I decided this winter to just upgrade the components,Zipp 404,Zipp Vulka bar,carbon fork,Sram Red brakes, carbon saddle etc., because I love my titanium frame and the fit is perfect.I picked up the finished product yesterday and I am very pleased with the result of old school meets high tech.
My question is that I have always left the brazed-on Campy C record derailer attached in a fixed position,I guess,to prevent the chain from somehow jumping off the big chainring.I was checking the bike out this morning and noticed how big and clunky and "heavy" that derailer looked.
I would appreciate opinions on whether the derailer is needed to keep the chain from somehow jumping off the ring.I guess this could occur upon hitting a bump or something.Another option would be a brazed on fixed front derailer in a more simple version not designed for actually shifting.
I guess I never paid much attention to this before, but now with all my new lightweight components getting my bike down to 16 LBS,I do not want anything to negate these upgrades.
Thanks,David.

In a triathlon situation, the weight of the components matters very little, as being "aero" is of course more important. I would recommend leaving the FD on there, just in case the chain gets dropped again. Getting a brazed-on fixed FD would probably work too, but going naked, IMO, isn't worth the grams of weight savings.

Sounds like a neat bike!

Interesting. David Millar rana big ring only in a TdeF prologue a few years back and dropped his chain and ever since it has been fairly frowned upon. I do recommend a f der to keep the chain in place, or maybe a chain keeper. Best of luck.

You could always try this:



The Third-Eye chain watcher.
It might save a few grams, but would only prevent dropping to the inside.

It was frowned on even then (and earlier).

Well I have one thing to say though..........where are the pics?