In a message dated 8/13/03 6:26:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time, brucerobbins@supanet.com writes:
> Also, I have a 1961/62 Flying Scot with front and rear Gran Sport
> derailleurs,
> a Stronglight 49D chainset with 48/52 chainrings and a 14-24 five-speed
> block.
> I hope to swap the chainrings for something like 36/48. Will the front
> derailleur be able to handle that? What would be the smallest inner ring
> that
> the front mech would be capable of handling?
>
The front won't shift well with more than a 5 tooth difference, nor will the
rear handle the amount of chain difference from a 10 tooth jump on the front.
For the front, you might want to try an early Record mechanism with the cable
stop to keep compatibility with your downtube cable clamp and shift housing.
For the rear (presuming you want to stick with the early gears) try a Record
mech. If it doesn't take up enough chain, you can (horrors) fit it with the
long Rally cage plates. It wouldn't be quite stock, but it would be "vintage"
and more appropriate than modern parts.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA