Double-to-triple upgrade, any last minute advice?

[Rickn]

My fat ****, old legs, and hilly neighborhood have lead me
to the decision to upgrade to a triple-front crankset. The
components have been ordered and the upgrade project will
begin any- day-now. Any last minute words-of-wisdom (before
I disassemble the bike) would be appreciated. Here are the
facts: The bike is a late '90's (?) Bianchi Veloce currently
equipped with Campy Veloce components throughout and
includes 8-speed cassette and double chainring front.

So far I have purchased the following: Racing T 30-40-50
triple crankset Centaur 9-speed triple front derailleur
Centaur 9-speed rear derailleur (long cage) longer chain

The bike has very few miles on it so I am going to try the
new chain with the old 8-speed cassette and hope that they
get along with each other.

Specific concerns include: Someone who seems to know a LOT
more about this than I has suggested that the existing BB is
likely the right one and that I may not need to change it.
BUT: Is this a component that I should change / upgrade
while I am at it? Any recommended upgrades?

A recent My fat ****, old legs, and hilly neiborhood have
lead me to the decision to upgrade to a triple-front
cranksetstring mentions "chain alignment" as an important
issue with this upgrade. Is this where the BB length comes
into play? Once the new crank is seated / torqued onto the
BB spindle it would seem that the chain alignment is fixed
at that point. Or does chain alignment refer to the
derailleur setup? Obviously I am confused . . . A few words
of advise regarding chain alignment would also be
appreciated.

Have I missed anything major?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Paul Southworth]

In article <[email protected]>,
rickn <rickn> wrote:
>My fat ****, old legs, and hilly neighborhood have lead me
>to the decision to upgrade to a triple-front crankset. The
>components have been ordered and the upgrade project will
>begin any- day-now. Any last minute words-of-wisdom (before
>I disassemble the bike) would be appreciated. Here are the
>facts: The bike is a late '90's (?) Bianchi Veloce
>currently equipped with Campy Veloce components throughout
>and includes 8-speed cassette and double chainring front.
>
>So far I have purchased the following: Racing T 30-40-50
>triple crankset Centaur 9-speed triple front derailleur
>Centaur 9-speed rear derailleur (long cage) longer chain

Should work great.

>The bike has very few miles on it so I am going to try the
>new chain with the old 8-speed cassette and hope that they
>get along with each other.

Ride carefully and stay seated when you test it. You need to
test on every cog.

>Specific concerns include: Someone who seems to know a LOT
>more about this than I has suggested that the existing BB
>is likely the right one and that I may not need to change
>it. BUT: Is this a component that I should change / upgrade
>while I am at it? Any recommended upgrades?

There is probably no reason to replace the BB unless it's
worn out. The 111mm AC-H is correct for nearly all bikes
with double or triple Mirage/Veloce/Centaur style crank
(same as Racing T) except for a few that require the 115.5 -
those few will mostly be fat tube aluminum frames.

>A recent My fat ****, old legs, and hilly neiborhood have
>lead me to the decision to upgrade to a triple-front
>cranksetstring mentions "chain alignment" as an important
>issue with this upgrade. Is this where the BB length comes
>into play? Once the new crank is seated / torqued onto the
>BB spindle it would seem that the chain alignment is fixed
>at that point.

That is correct, although you can influence the results
slightly with thin spacers under the BB fixed cup or under
the cassette.

> Or does chain alignment refer to the derailleur setup?

No

> Obviously I am confused . . . A few words of advise
> regarding chain alignment would also be appreciated.

It should all just work with no special tricks - you have
the right bottom bracket for the crank, and that's the main
thing that you need to get right.

>Have I missed anything major?

Looks OK to me. I often replace derailleur cables and
housing in a major upgrade like this, just so everything
works like new. Sometimes just a nice new stainless rear
derailleur wire is enough if everything is in good shape.

--Paul

 

[Paul Kopit]

On Wed, 26 May 2004 09:58:00 -0400, rickn <rickn> wrote:

>So far I have purchased the following: Racing T 30-40-50
>triple crankset Centaur 9-speed triple front derailleur
>Centaur 9-speed rear derailleur (long cage) longer chain

Just install the stuff you have on the bicycle and
ride away.

 

[Richard Chan]

[email protected] (Paul Southworth) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

Yes, a chain catcher gadget.

 

[Qui Si Parla Ca]

rickn-<< a LOT more about this than I has suggested that the
existing BB is likely the right one and that I may not need
to change it. BUT: Is this a component that I should change
/ upgrade while I am at it? >><BR><BR>

Nope, if it is 111mm and your seat tube is 28.6 or 31.8mm,
you don't need a new BB. If it's smooth, leave it alone.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"