Which Triple crankset would you use?

[Ralph]

Got a travel bike I want to put a 10's triple crankset on. Got all the parts, except a modern triple. Do have an old school like new Campy Centaur Triple with lots of rings and square taper BB's, around 2004 model or so....that works great and is super reliable. or....should I get a more modern triple such as a FSA Gossamer Triple with outboard cups. BTW....I think the FSA Gossamer is super reliable also. The only reason I'm asking is maybe I should go a little more modern and not stay in the past. But the old stuff just works so good. BTW....This is just a Campy riding bike. Realize both will work fine....just curious what you would do.

[palincss]

In my book, if it's current manufacture it's "modern."

[stien]

Campy triple all the way.

I'm a triple connoisseur.

[Ralph]

Campy triple all the way.

I'm a triple connoisseur.

Me also......while the bike I ride the most around here...flat and slightly rolling.....is a 39-52 with a 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-26....lots of time I ride a 30-42-52 or 30-40-50 with a 12-25 or 13-36. I never liked the big front ring differences of a compact....and I've used one for a while. I like to drop down to a 30 at stop lights etc. Never understood why some say the shifting on a triple is iffy.....mine shift same as a double. To me...only draw back is weight of the 3rd ring....which means nothing to me.

If I go with the MegaExo outboard bearing FSA triple....it's a 30-39-50. With the Campy triple....can make it a 30-42-52 (sold the 53 it came with a got a Campy 42/52 big ring), a 30-40-50, or 28-39 or 40 and 49 or 50 for big ring. Using some 9/10 TA Vento rings. Lot of options for 15 degree climbs (12-30 or 13-29, or mixing for 13-30). Lets this old man ride about anywhere I want with med cage RD.

[merckx]

I'd stay with your Campagnolo triple.

[oliver1850]

Not sure the Gossamer is all that much more modern at least in looks. Doubt the outboard cups are an advantage over a Centaur square taper BB. For me it might depend on the rest of the build as I'd hoard a 2005 Centaur triple for an all Centaur build on a nice steel frame.

[Ralph]

Not sure the Gossamer is all that much more modern at least in looks. Doubt the outboard cups are an advantage over a Centaur square taper BB. For me it might depend on the rest of the build as I'd hoard a 2005 Centaur triple for an all Centaur build on a nice steel frame.

I think I will take the advice on here and use the ST Centaur triple I have. it's like new, and I have lots of rings for it.

BTW....There is a NOS Century Grey Centaur Triple 170 arms 30-42-53 on E Bay now. $135. Parts worth more than that.....even if Century Grey.

Have been tempted. Could sell the rings cheap, and be left with the rest for very little money. I have plenty of rings. Just don't particularly need the crank.

[oliver1850]

Wish it was 30/40/50. I have little use for a 53 ring. If it were easier to set up a C10 bike with something like a 14-32 cassette it would have more appeal for me.

Pretty sure that's a forum member's listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Campy-Centaur-Century-Gray-170-mm-Triple-Crankset-Ultradrive-53-42-30/202059669898?hash=item2f0bb1e18a:m:mwtj-28kCMkpOpkkIm_pnGg

[Ralph]

I have used a C10 bike with a triple and a 14-30. Used cogs off a junior 14-23 cassette with the big cogs off a 12-30. But decided for straight up and down riding....didn't need all those cogs so close....so used it starting with 13. Going down hill fast, say over 30 MPH or so....scares me....so if riding in the mountains of NC or similar....after I crest a hill.....I just give it a couple strokes and coast. Down hill pedaling speed is meaningless to me. Even around here.....down hill with a tail wind....I can go as fast as I need in a 52X14. (top gear on my first P13 Paramount in early 70's BTW). Little cog on end of the cassette is just a spacer for me LOL. Puts the cogs I do use a little closer to center of cassette.

[Bradford]

...Doubt the outboard cups are an advantage over a Centaur square taper BB...

I have no idea how campy outboard cups work, but the Shimano version makes the cranks much easier to remove with one tool I already have in my seat pack and one tool that is small and light. For a travel bike, that can be a big plus, depending on how it is boxed, shipped, or packed.

If Campy requires special or heavy tools to pull the crank from outboard cups, I'd agree with you.

[Bostic]

The one you sold to me a few years back! 53/42/30 with a Wheels Manufacturing 11-27 cassette. I used the 30x24 and 30x27 a lot on todays ride. The 42 middle ring is so useful for me.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/61WA7Q.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/KwjDy4.jpg

[oliver1850]

I have used a C10 bike with a triple and a 14-30. Used cogs off a junior 14-23 cassette with the big cogs off a 12-30. But decided for straight up and down riding....didn't need all those cogs so close....so used it starting with 13. Going down hill fast, say over 30 MPH or so....scares me....so if riding in the mountains of NC or similar....after I crest a hill.....I just give it a couple strokes and coast. Down hill pedaling speed is meaningless to me. Even around here.....down hill with a tail wind....I can go as fast as I need in a 52X14. (top gear on my first P13 Paramount in early 70's BTW). Little cog on end of the cassette is just a spacer for me LOL. Puts the cogs I do use a little closer to center of cassette.


You have expounded on my point. I don't think I should have to buy 2 cassettes and combine cogs to get the range I want. The cogs obviously exist (mostly), so why can't they be packaged for sale at similar prices to cassettes in other ranges? And why no 32, 34 and 36 cogs? I've run a C10 derailleur with a cassette that has a 36 cog. The derailleur will handle it, at least on the frame I used.

Despite having 20? Campagnolo equipped bikes, they are steadily losing me as a customer. I'm focusing on S11 hubs from now on, on which I can mount much lower cost Shimano cassettes, which I can space to whatever the situation requires. Aftermarket companies like Miche and BBB are missing the boat here. They should be offering Campagnolo spaced cassettes to fit S11 hubs in 8/9/10/11 ranges that Campagnolo doesn't offer, rather than duplicating the ones that Campagnolo makes.

[Ralph]

Another post on here touches on the subject of how bikes are set up and marketed as if all riders are 20 year old racers.

Not so many bikes set up and marketed for how vast majority really ride.

Another subject would be how many riders (away from this forum of course) understand how to set up their bike for how they use it, where they ride, or for their individual strength level.

[oldpotatoe]

Got a travel bike I want to put a 10's triple crankset on. Got all the parts, except a modern triple. Do have an old school like new Campy Centaur Triple with lots of rings and square taper BB's, around 2004 model or so....that works great and is super reliable. or....should I get a more modern triple such as a FSA Gossamer Triple with outboard cups. BTW....I think the FSA Gossamer is super reliable also. The only reason I'm asking is maybe I should go a little more modern and not stay in the past. But the old stuff just works so good. BTW....This is just a Campy riding bike. Realize both will work fine....just curious what you would do.

Nope, NOT FSA, use the Campag one..easy to find rings, BBs..great kit..gives the bike more class...:)

[Marc40a]

Sugino makes a handsome triple.