Yet another L'Eroica Question

[dirttorpedo]

So my plan is to ride L'Eroica in Italy with my wife in 2016. I'm building her a bike and I need a crankset. I could try to find a vintage one or I could buy a replica (Velo Orange or IRD sell them). I like the idea of the replica because I can get one that has a compact or wide compact set of rings on it which will make riding more pleasurable for my wife. I don't want this bike to be only used for L'Eroica - I'd like to get her riding more regularly with me (she's agreed to do an event with me this summer!). Another option is the Sugino XD which also comes in a wide compact design. Its a more modern looking crank though. So I'm wondering how sticky the officials are on the rules. Could I get away with a replica crank if the rest of the bike is period correct or will they be sticklers and disqualify her? Could I get away with the Sugino?

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

Hello,

Although I've read some horror stories about over-enthusiastic officials, I've never personally experienced or seen anyone being disqualified for a non-regulation bike. They just give your bike a casual once over at the end and that's it in my experience.

I've seen all kinds of long cage rear mechs, massive sprockets and triple cranksets. I think the rules even say that modern gears are tolerated because the course is quite tough.

The VO crankset would probably be a safer bet if you're really worried about it. An alternative would be the Campag Gran Sport, Victory or Triomphe cranksets that had a tiny BCD (122 or something) and could take a chainring down to 32T. And definitely period correct!

Good luck,

Johnny

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re: Re:

Hello,

Although I've read some horror stories about over-enthusiastic officials, I've never personally experienced or seen anyone being disqualified for a non-regulation bike. They just give your bike a casual once over at the end and that's it in my experience.

I've seen all kinds of long cage rear mechs, massive sprockets and triple cranksets. I think the rules even say that modern gears are tolerated because the course is quite tough.

The VO crankset would probably be a safer bet if you're really worried about it. An alternative would be the Campag Gran Sport, Victory or Triomphe cranksets that had a tiny BCD (122 or something) and could take a chainring down to 32T. And definitely period correct!

Good luck,

Johnny

Hi Johnny - are chain rings readily available for those and do they come in 165mm lengths like the Velo Orange set up? Another attraction of the reproductions is they come in 130 or 110 BCD which makes getting replacements or customizing over the years easier.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Just did a bit of googling. Those Campy cranks seem to use 116 BCD rings which appear to be as rare as hen's teeth. What other 80's vintage cranks are good for customizing and use a common BCD?

 

[Johnsqual]

Miche make a chainring for junior cyclists that fits the Campag cranks, I think it's called 'Young'.

I think Stronglight had various Cranksets with smallish BCDs; their Impact model is fairly old school looking and has a 110 BCD IIRC.
Probably best to look on Velobase.

You could always try an old MTB triple with just two rings to keep the tooth difference within capacity.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Miche make a chainring for junior cyclists that fits the Campag cranks, I think it's called 'Young'.

I think Stronglight had various Cranksets with smallish BCDs; their Impact model is fairly old school looking and has a 110 BCD IIRC.
Probably best to look on Velobase.

You could always try an old MTB triple with just two rings to keep the tooth difference within capacity.

Would I run that with a shorter axel to mimic the chain line of a double?

 

[Johnsqual]

Indeed, you might well have to do that if you're using a derailleur for a double, I think you might have problems with the reach of the front derailleur otherwise.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

Indeed, you might well have to do that if you're using a derailleur for a double, I think you might have problems with the reach of the front derailleur otherwise.

Yes, that's the setup I have - road mechs on an 1980 Trek 500 series frame.

 

[stefthehat]

Sure it would be more pricy than Velo or ird and bit hard to find as not sure if still in actual production but I picked up a PMP 110bcd chainset that uses a square taper Campag bottom bracket that looks very classic for my Gios rebuild I couldn't imagine trying to turn over a 53/39 these days esp on trip away, you want it to be a memorable yet nice experience, we can never truely replicate the old guys hardness only honour it

 

[cycletothesea]

The answer to the original question is no, don't worry. A period-correct bike is in the spirit of the event, but nobody is there checking details on bikes and disqualifying people. The organisers only ask for pre-1987 type builds, i.e. non-aero brake levers and cabling and no clip-in pedals etc. You can build up a classic-type steel frame (skinny tubes, straight lines etc.) with suitably retro components, even if the frame was made last week.

I guess if somebody turned up on a very modern looking carbon frame with aero levers, then the other riders might give them a sideways look, but I'm pretty sure I saw some non-compliant bicycles on the route with me last year.