Re: [CR]Triple NR Crankset Set-Up

(Example: Racing)

Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002 16:00:35 -0800
From: "Bill Bryant" <Bill_Bryant@prodigy.net>
To: Pugsx2@aol.com
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Triple NR Crankset Set-Up
References: <4a.47dba3d.2968d661@aol.com>


Hi John Lee-- I set up many Campy triple drive-trains in the 1970s and '80s. Am relying on dim memories all these many years later, but perhaps I can be of help...

Pugsx2@aol.com wrote:
> I am modifying a (post '77) Austro-Daimler with a Campy (42/53) crankset to a
> ('83) Nuovo Record Triple crankset (36/45/52). I have the proper bottom
> bracket for the Campy Triple Crankset. And the bike currently is equipped
> with a ('78) "C.P.S.C." updated Campy NR front derailleur (with the fat lip).
>
> I'd really appreciate it if you experts can help me tackle these questions:
>
> 1) What is the "PROPER" or "IDEAL" front derailleur for the Triple Crankset?

You've got it: the standard NR front derailleur works well; plenty of cage depth and "throw".
>
> 2) Will my current front derailleur work with the Triple Crankset?

Yes, it will work fine.
> 3) Does the "Triple" require a front derailleur with a long cage? If so, what
> model?

No, standard works well.
> 4) Is there such thing as a NR front derailleur with a long cage?

No. That is something of a modern approach taken by Shimano, SunTour first in the late '80s/early '90s, and now Campy. BTW, the current Campy triple front derailleur is an especially fine shifter--highly recommended for modern bikes. But I digress off topic of the CR list... ;-)
>
> 5) Is the Triple Crankset designed to be compatible with the std. NR rear
> derailleur?

No, it needs a GS or Rally long-arm rear derailleur to wrap more chain. It could work, I suppose, with something like a 13-18 straight block, but what's the point?
>
> 6) Or does the Triple Crankset require a long cage rear derailleur (ie.,
> Rally)?

Yes. See #5.
> 7) What is the ideal range freewheel/cluster for a Triple Crankset?

Worked fine with 13-24/26; the 13-28 was a little less crisp, but use no larger than 28t if you want decent shifting.
>
> 8) Will that freewheel/cluster be compatible with any (patent year) NR rear
> derailleur?

On a triple application with such a wide difference from 36 to 52/53 in front? No. See #5 above. Using a NR is not recommended for this application--you need a long-arm derailleur.
>
> 9) What is the maximum size freewheel for a NR r. derailleur (24, 28, etc)?

On three chainrings? 36-52? See #5. On a double c/w, a 28t will work, but 26 or 27 is better. You may need to re-position your tension spring in the bottom of the derailleur for best wrap, also move the rear axle backwards in the dropouts for better shifting. On a big cog, the farther forward your axle is, the worse the shifting. (You do have horizontal Campy drop-outs, right?)

Some riders ran 42-47-54 and a 13-24 five or six-speed to get lots of mid-range gears (Hermann de Munck of Paris-Brest-Paris fame in early to mid-1970s used this combo to great effect) and there are some special Campy triple c/w bolts for this type of thing (they were primarily used to hold on two cyclo-cross teeth guards)... but the standard 42-52 or 42-53 double worked fine 99% of the time, so going triple this way was pretty rare.
>
> 9) ARE THERE ANY OTHER ISSUES I NEED TO BE AWARE OF???

Yes, the special bolts that hold the 36t c/w onto the Campy arm are small in diameter and tended to fail under hard/long usage or with heavy riders. You get a lot of torque climbing a steep wall on the 36x24 to 28t gear. Inspect them for cracks periodically if your are over 175 lbs. Tandems were especially bad in this regard. Modern inner "granny" gears have a much larger diameter fixing bolt that is vastly more reliable.

Good luck with your project, it will be an elegant looking triple set-up.

Cheers, Bill Bryant Santa Cruz, California

Pugsx2@aol.com wrote:
> I am modifying a (post '77) Austro-Daimler with a Campy (42/53) crankset to a
> ('83) Nuovo Record Triple crankset (36/45/52). I have the proper bottom
> bracket for the Campy Triple Crankset. And the bike currently is equipped
> with a ('78) "C.P.S.C." updated Campy NR front derailleur (with the fat lip).
>
> I'd really appreciate it if you experts can help me tackle these questions:
>
> 1) What is the "PROPER" or "IDEAL" front derailleur for the Triple Crankset?
> 2) Will my current front derailleur work with the Triple Crankset?
> 3) Does the "Triple" require a front derailleur with a long cage? If so, what
> model?
> 4) Is there such thing as a NR front derailleur with a long cage?
>
> 5) Is the Triple Crankset designed to be compatible with the std. NR rear
> derailleur?
> 6) Or does the Triple Crankset require a long cage rear derailleur (ie.,
> Rally)?
> 7) What is the ideal range freewheel/cluster for a Triple Crankset?
> 8) Will that freewheel/cluster be compatible with any (patent year) NR rear
> derailleur?
> 9) What is the maximum size freewheel for a NR r. derailleur (24, 28, etc)?
> 9) ARE THERE ANY OTHER ISSUES I NEED TO BE AWARE OF???

>

> Sincerely,

>

> John LeeWong

> Glendale, CA