Chainset recommendation?

[Mowgli]

I'm building up a 1965 Mercian for my girlfriend. So far it is just a frame with stem and bars, and we've gone for Royce hubs on DT swiss rims. It's not going to be particularly true to it's era, although it needs to 'look right' - from a distance the wheels could look fairly vintage.

I don't know what sort of chainset to go for though. I think it does need to be square taper. As the bottom bracket shell is not in the best condition, I may use a royce BB (which will last forever) and threadlock it in place. Campag Strada chainsets look the part but are rare in good condition. It'll be 10-speed at the back; not sure if that effects the chainrings much?

What would you recommend - silver colour, not too 'chunky', elegant/vintage looks?

Cheers!

 

[American Friend]

Centaur double, square taper. Quality chainset but not expensive. NOS and used ones in good condition regularly turn up on fleabay. Not sure about the length of Royce bbs, but the square taper double Centaur chainset takes a 111mm symmetrical bb spindle like the Veloce, which is also still easily obtainable and also inexpensive. If threads on the bb shell are in bad shape, Mercian can fix 'em. Don't see why you'd want to threadlock the bb in place.

 

[hamster]

I can do you a 170mm Campag crank set (early 90's) for £20

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

From experience I would say that if it is worn enough to make you want to use threadlock you may be wasting your time. I had a Freddie Grubb with a worn BB shell and absolutely nothing would keep the cups in place and I tried many different sets of cups.
Eventually I threw the frame away and you can imagine how I have come to regret that ever since! (it was about 25 years ago and classic frames were still pretty easy to come by). I think I still have the forks somewhere though.

Ian.

 

[American Friend]

if the shell's threads are indeed stripped, Mercian or any competent framebuilder can fix it. No big deal.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

if the shell's threads are indeed stripped, Mercian or any competent framebuilder can fix it. No big deal.

Yes, I worded my post badly. I wasn't suggesting throwing away the frame! I regret doing so because it would have been repairable if I'd thougt about it.
It was the threadlock part I was meaning was a waste of time.

Ian.

 

[American Friend]

I suppose you could also try one of these:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/ ... ckets.html
but I'd just get Mercian to fix it.

 

[Midlife]

I've got a real softspot for the Sakae Royal chainsets, I ran a pista version on my 70's time trial bike.......There's one for sale on here

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=191571

In fact I might buy it LOL

There's also the Gipiemme Chrono range which looks elegant.

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx? ... &AbsPos=72

Shaun

 

[Lazarus]

If you want pure class try the Campagnolo 3arm chromed version from 1971. Rather expensive but IMHO stunning as a crankset for a "looker" bike. My next bet would be the same crankset from 1977 which is a 3 arm alloy version. This is a very strong quality crankset, yet exquisite from far away. I rode 1 for a while and regret letting it go. Super smooth action and great on hill climbs which is what tests all cranks.

I built a bike for the wife last year which is 1st generation Athena throughout, but her frame was a 1984 Faggin so it was pretty much in keeping. Good luck with the build yours Laz.

 

[Mowgli]

Thanks for the tips - looking into that Sakae one. I've never heard of them before...