Triple crank for my 1985 Raleigh Clubman

[widowmaker]

Hi all

I am the proud owner of a 1985 Raleigh Clubman, it has a 50/39 Sugino GT crank and a 13-26 Suntour Ultra 6 freewheel and friction shifters. I am unable to ride the bike around the hills of Dorset anymore due to my ageing knees and the gearing

I need some help on this before I stick it in the loft never to be ridden again and then build the modern-ish Aluminium frame I have

Is it possible to fit a new triple crank along the lines of this from Spa Cycles, I know I will have to change the bottom bracket and possibly the derallier/s.

Help me get the old girl ready for another few decades

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s109p2000

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

See no reason why not . As you have said you will need a longer b/b axle .118m at a guess sealed unit from shimano . + front and rear mech .

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Took it out today and just could not get up some of the hills

Has anyone experience of these cranks from Spa cycles ?

 

[Nob]

Re:

You could also look for a TA cyclotourist cranks as they have a huge array of rings like you could go down to something like 44/32 etc.. As it depends on your budget. You can get blocks like 14-34. Triples are ok but chainlines cause greater wear on the chain.
Good luck on whatever way you choose.

 

[BobToo]

I would be inclined to get a 14-32 or 15-32 freewheel. It will still need a longer cage on the rear mech, but you'd need that for the triple anyway. You'll probably have to look for a 5 speed or an ultra spaced six speed unless you have a bit of clearance to spare.

Use Sheldon Brown's gear calculator to calculate the gear inches you have now and the gear inches various other set-ups would give you. I pasted the results into a spreadsheet so I can compare at a glance. 40 front and 32 back gives me 33.8" compared to 41.5" for 40/26. 30 front and 26 back gives me 31.2", so the 32 tooth sprocket gives you most of what a triple does, but with less complication.

 

[hamster]

Re: Re:

Took it out today and just could not get up some of the hills

Has anyone experience of these cranks from Spa cycles ?

Yes, bought three now. They are really decent, as you would expect from Sugino. All the ones I have run true, unlike cheaper Shimanos which always seem wonky. They take 110mm BBs on a typical steel frame.

Thoroughly recommended!