-
I knew you’d call me a wuss :)
Not at all!
The first thing to consider with bike equipment is - what do you intend to use the bike for? If you're going to the Alps you need something different from riding along the Bath Road.
Yes, the adaptor makes things more rigid, which is an improvement, but using the Cyclotourist set up, especially with a small inner ring, won't cause serious problems.
clubman-
Heh sorry just being a wally. Like I said this build will be quite showy, I've got some rare and nos bits to put on, that although I will enjoy riding, think it will be a high days and holidays bike. It'll have a fixed/free rear wheel and I think that with the Stronglight cranks makes it quite a flexible setup.
It's a 'Criterium' and although I don't think that means it was only intended for those races (more it's just a trendy massed start name) it's not a 'Touriste' or 'Alpine' etc. Also my TdF doesn't have any marking regarding number of speeds, so as I understand it, I can only find out with trial and error. I dunno, will see how I go, but could start life fixed or maybe just a single front ring - I've got a 48t 3/32 Stronglight ring.
Or as you say I could get a smaller inner ring double with the Cyclotouriste setup. Given the small spread of teeth on the TdF though, I think I'd rather do that on another bike, or I'll likely be sacrificing the big end. My 1960 Gillott will probably get a Cyclotouriste chainset, and with the Record derailleurs that should be more suited to hills, and be more of an anytime ride.
I did really appreciate your info about the Professional adapter giving less flex (the named Criterium TA chainring setup is the one with the inner ring bolted to the outer ring but similar bcd to the Professional adapter I think). So if I can get it all working, it seems quite appropriate for the bike. And 50/44 x 14/24 will obviously give it a bit more range (at both ends) than 48 x 14/24.
veloham
I knew you’d call me a wuss :) No I’m ok with 44/24 if I can get it to work. That’s one more inch than my modern bike in big dog bottom sprocket which can get up most hills around me.
N.B. You told me I needed that adapter to stop my chainrings flexing when I’m pumping my guns.
Also the TdF is going on quite a showy build, so unlikely to tackle the alps on it :)
But yes totally agree re the heroic era and gearing, I do not know how they did it with these gears. That is a fantastic quote.