Orange C16R bottom bracket replacement

[SimonBrown]

I'm new here, so apologies if this one has been answered before.

I have a 1997 vintage Orange C16R. Its fitted with a period STX chainset, but the top ring has pretty much had its day - the teeth are almost ground down to nothing thanks to the sandy grinding paste I spend most of my time pounding through.

Finding a replacement STX 42 tooth chainring seems to be almost impossible...so it seems I have two choices;-

1. Find a good secondhand period STX/LX/XT cranks and chainrings with plenty of life left in them.

2. See if the new-style bottom bracket and four bolt cranks can't be fitted to the frame.

1 is OK but when that chainring wears out...I'm back where I am today.

2 is less than OK and will make the purists weep, but it means chainrings will be available for the foreseeable future.

So, over to the forum. Any thoughts or ideas? Has anyone tried option 2?

 

[Tazio]

Depends on your budget. If I was you I'd try to get some Middleburn cranks as they haven't really changed in look for years and rings are readily available.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have some STX chainrings with hardly any signs of use but they're the earlier ones with the big & middle ring in one piece if that's any use to you?

I've got a drive side arm to go with the too, but its 170mm

 

[matt24777]

Well if you like the period look, I would say look for a NOS Chainset. A few come up on fleabay from time to time. for example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nos-shimano-s ... 1c3a38ac51.

I have recently had a similar consideration to make, And I opted to go for the 4 arm cranks for one of my builds :twisted: but my other 2 I've stuck with 5 arm... although it is becoming more difficult to get ringsets for them without spending a lot. I have 1 Middleburm set, and 1 is more modern RaceFace but both 5 arm.

Personally if you are happy with the cranks and it's only 1 ring thats knackered i'd look at middleburn, they still make 5 arm rings (check which BCD you need) in a multitude of colours. cheaper than swapping the whole lot!

 

[cherrybomb]

You could try granniegear on ebay. They've got some 94BCD Shimano outer rings.

 

[SimonBrown]

Many thanks to all who replied. Much appreciated.

Replacement chainring now on order. No need to replace the STX cranks after all.

There is a very handy chart for figuring out the bolt circle diameter (BDC) of an existing ring here:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/bolt-circle- ... lbcdchart/