Chainset recommendation?

[orbeas]

Bottom bracket

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

The old accepted way of reclaiming steel framed bottom brackets with dodgy threads was either use oversize cups which were readily available, or if to far worn, with a hacksaw put a cut across the shell , which left a gap of about 2 mm and then with a couple of G clamps close the shell together and weld back up. Then tap out the bottom bracket and you have a brand new bottom bracket...

So you never have to scrap a steel frame.

If it was good enough for Harry Quinn to do it then I rest my case !!!!!

 

[Kevinwulf]

I recommend either the TA Cyclotouriste or Stronglight 49D. Both are period correct and are fairly easy to get. And rings are easy to find, too. They're square taper as well. Only downside is having to buy a special removal tool.

You can use any 3/32 chainrings with a 10 speed rear. The narrower 10 speed chain is from narrower plates, the gap in the middle of the chain is the same as old 5 speed stuff