You are restoring a road bike from the 1970s to 1990s and your chainring is worn, broken, or simply impossible to find at your usual bike shop. The challenge with vintage chainrings is twofold: BCD standards are numerous and often poorly known, and supply sources are not the same as for modern components. Between NOS (New Old Stock) inventory, vintage specialists, and manufacturers that still keep certain references in production, there are nevertheless solutions for almost every case.
This guide lists vintage road bike chainring standards, the brands that originally used them, and those that still allow you to find them new or in good condition today.
1. The main eras of vintage road chainrings
The history of road chainrings follows the evolution of drivetrain systems. Each decade has its own standards, dominant brands, and typical setups. Understanding which era your bike belongs to helps you immediately identify the correct BCD.
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Before 1970Era of proprietary standards Campagnolo 144 mm BCD (Record, Nuovo Record) dominant, Stronglight 122 mm BCD (49D, 99). Steel and lightweight alloy. Common setups 52/42 or 53/42. Wide chains 1/2 × 3/32.
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1970–1983Peak of 5-bolt standards Campagnolo Record in 144 mm BCD, Stronglight 93/63 in 86 mm BCD, Specialités TA in 130/135 mm BCD. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} Dura-Ace first generation (1973) in 151 mm track BCD. Aluminum machining becomes widespread.
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1984–1992Campagnolo shift and Shimano expansion Campagnolo moves to 135 mm BCD (C-Record, 1984). Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 adopts 130 mm 5-bolt BCD. First indexed systems appear. Standard setups 52/39 and 53/39.
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1993–2003Standardization and rise of 10-speed Campagnolo maintains 135 mm then introduces 110 mm compact. Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 still uses 130 mm 5-bolt BCD. Compact 50/34 setups begin appearing in entry-level groups.
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After 2012Modern era — universal 110 mm Shimano switches to 110 mm 4-bolt BCD across its road range. SRAM follows. Everything prior is now considered “vintage” compared to current standards.
2. Vintage BCD standards: reference table
Here is a full overview of BCD standards found on vintage road cranksets, along with compatible cranksets and current chainring availability.
| BCD | Arms | Compatible cranksets | Era | Typical teeth | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 mm | 5 | :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} Dura-Ace 7400/7410, :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} Superbe Pro, Stronglight Delta | 1984–2012 | 38–53 T | ✅ New available |
| 135 mm | 5 | :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} C-Record, Chorus, Record (1984–2008), Specialités TA | 1984–2008 | 39–53 T | ✅ New available |
| 144 mm | 5 | Campagnolo Record, Nuovo Record, Super Record (until ~1983), Mavic 600/636 | Before 1984 | 42–54 T | 🟡 NOS + Stronglight/TA new |
| 122 mm | 5 | Stronglight 49D, Stronglight 99 | 1960–1985 | 42–54 T | 🟡 Mostly NOS |
| 86 mm | 5 | Stronglight 93, Stronglight 63 | 1965–1978 | 42–54 T (small BCD) | 🔴 Rare — second-hand only |
| 151 mm | 5 | Campagnolo Nuovo Record track, Dura-Ace first-gen track | 1970–1980 | 46–56 T | 🔴 Very rare — NOS/used |
| 128 mm | 5 | Some SunTour, Sugino Mighty | 1975–1990 | 42–52 T | 🔴 Rare — specialist sources |
| 110 mm | 5 then 4 | Modern Shimano (post-2012), SRAM, Campagnolo compact (post-2008), Stronglight CT2 | 2000–present | 34–52 T | ✅ Widely available |
✅ = widely available new · 🟡 = NOS or limited production · 🔴 = used or unavailable new. Green rows indicate standards with good current availability.
3. How to identify your vintage crankset BCD
On a vintage crankset, the BCD is rarely engraved directly. Three methods can be used to identify it:
Method 1 — Crankset reference
If you know the crankset brand and model (often engraved on the inner face of the arms or on the spindle), check its specifications in vintage catalogs available on Velobase.com or Briko-bike.com. This is the fastest and most reliable method.
Method 2 — Direct measurement
All vintage road cranksets use 5-bolt patterns. Measure the distance in millimeters between two adjacent mounting holes, then multiply by 1.701 to obtain the BCD. Compare with the table above.
| Measured distance (adjacent holes) | Corresponding BCD | Typical crankset |
|---|---|---|
| 50.6 mm | 86 mm | Stronglight 93/63 |
| 71.7 mm | 122 mm | Stronglight 49D / 99 |
| 76.4 mm | 130 mm | Dura-Ace 7400+, SunTour Superbe |
| 79.4 mm | 135 mm | Campagnolo C-Record+, TA |
| 84.7 mm | 144 mm | Campagnolo Record/Nuovo Record |
| 88.8 mm | 151 mm | Campagnolo track Record |
Method 3 — Visual recognition
Some cranksets can be identified visually. The pre-1984 Campagnolo Record five-arm spider with cutouts corresponds to 144 mm. The post-1984 C-Record with its “backbone” design corresponds to 135 mm. The Stronglight 49D with its round spider is typically 122 mm.
Tip: if you are unsure between two close BCDs (e.g., 130 and 135 mm), try fitting a test chainring. If the holes do not align perfectly, it will not mount — confirming the correct standard. Never force bolts, as this can permanently damage the spider or chainring holes.
Campagnolo — the Italian icon
Campagnolo — vintage chainrings
Campagnolo dominated road racing for decades. Its forged aluminum chainrings — known for their decorative cutouts — are among the most sought-after vintage parts by collectors. A major shift occurred in 1984 with the move from 144 mm to 135 mm BCD (C-Record system), creating two fully incompatible families.
Original Campagnolo chainrings (Record, Nuovo Record, Super Record) are mainly available as NOS or used through specialist sellers. For post-1984 135 mm BCD systems, Stronglight and Specialités TA offer compatible modern alternatives.
Key models: Record (1950–1983, 144 mm BCD), Nuovo Record (1968–1987, 144 then 135 mm depending on year), C-Record (1984–1992, 135 mm BCD), Chorus (1987+, 135 mm BCD).
Ideal profile: authentic restoration, collector bikes, riders aiming to preserve original Italian identity.
Stronglight — the French giant
Stronglight — vintage and modern chainrings
Stronglight is the French brand offering the best coverage for vintage cranksets today. The company still produces new chainrings in 130 mm and 144 mm BCD, compatible with corresponding vintage cranksets. For older BCDs (122 mm from the 49D, 86 mm from the 93), NOS stocks exist among specialists, but regular production has stopped.
The 49D model (122 mm BCD) is a classic of French cycling from the 1960s–1980s, found on countless Peugeot, Gitane, and Mercier bikes. The 99 succeeded it with the same BCD. The Delta (130 mm BCD) accompanied Shimano’s rise and remains widely available.
Key models: 49D (122 mm, 1955–1985), 99 (122 mm, 1980–1995), 93/63 (86 mm), Delta/CT (130 mm, 1985–present), CT2 (110 mm, current).
Ideal profile: restoration of French vintage bikes, daily use on vintage drivetrains, best option when you want new parts for an old crankset.
6. Specialités TA — the precision alternative
Specialités TA — French precision
Specialités TA is the reference brand for cyclists looking to install new chainrings on post-1984 Campagnolo cranksets (135 mm BCD). The brand offers a very wide range of 135 mm chainrings — including intermediate tooth counts (44, 46, 48T) that are impossible to find in new Campagnolo production — making it the ideal solution to adapt gearing on a vintage bike to modern riding without sacrificing mechanical authenticity.
In 130 mm BCD, TA chainrings also cover Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 cranksets and period SunTour Superbe Pro cranksets, with options compatible with 5 to 9-speed chains.
Key models: Criterium (130 mm BCD, all eras), Vento (135 mm BCD), Zephyr (130 mm BCD).
Ideal profile: post-1984 Campagnolo for daily use, gearing adaptation on vintage drivetrains, best modern new alternative to Campagnolo for 135 mm BCD.
7. Shimano vintage — Japan enters the road scene
Shimano Dura-Ace vintage
The Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 (1984) is Shimano’s first truly competitive road groupset, marking the beginning of its challenge to Campagnolo’s dominance. Its 130 mm 5-bolt BCD is one of the easiest to source today, since Stronglight and Specialités TA still produce new 130 mm chainrings in a wide range of tooth counts.
The Dura-Ace 7700 (1997) and 7800 (2004) generations also use the 130 mm 5-bolt BCD — these cranksets are now considered vintage, and original chainrings are mostly available as NOS or used. Modern 130 mm alternatives from Stronglight or TA fit perfectly as replacements.
Key models: Dura-Ace 7400 (1984), 7410 (1988), 7600 (track), 7700 (1997), 7800 (2004).
Ideal profile: 1980s–90s Japanese road bikes, mixed Shimano vintage builds, daily use with 6–9 speed drivetrains.
8. Mavic and secondary brands
Mavic, SunTour, Sugino and others
Mavic produced complete road groups (600 and 636) in the 1980s, with cranksets in 144 mm BCD compatible with Campagnolo and Stronglight chainrings of the era. SunTour Superbe Pro (a very popular Japanese mid/high-end group in the 1980s) mainly used 130 mm BCD, making it compatible with Stronglight and TA chainrings.
Sugino (Japan) with its Mighty crankset uses a 128 mm BCD — a “orphan standard” where only second-hand parts can be found. For all these secondary cranksets, direct BCD measurement is essential before ordering.
Strengths: Mavic 600 144 mm = good chainring availability · SunTour 130 mm = Shimano-compatible.
Limitations: SunTour 128 mm and Sugino = very hard to find new chainrings.
Ideal profile: collectors and purists seeking absolute authenticity.
9. Where to find vintage chainrings today
| Source | What you’ll find | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Stronglight (manufacturer) | New 130 mm and 144 mm BCD chainrings | Shimano 7400+ and pre-1984 Campagnolo Record |
| Specialités TA (manufacturer) | New 130 mm and 135 mm BCD chainrings | Post-1984 Campagnolo, SunTour 130 mm |
| Vintage Bike Shop | NOS and used parts, all brands and BCDs | Rare BCDs: 122 mm, 86 mm, 151 mm |
| Briko-bike | NOS stock and used parts, online catalogs | Identification + purchase in one step |
| Cycles Fun Passion | New and vintage parts, especially 135 mm BCD | Post-1984 Campagnolo in stock |
| eBay / Le Bon Coin | All used standards, variable pricing | Orphan BCDs and rare parts |
| Velovintageagogo.com | Community forum + classifieds | Expert advice + rare finds via exchange |
| SL Sport Equipments | Stronglight, TA, Shimano — new parts | 130 mm and 135 mm, fast shipping |
Key takeaway: for common BCDs (130 mm and 135 mm), high-quality new chainrings are available from Stronglight and Specialités TA. For rare BCDs (122 mm, 86 mm, 151 mm), rely on vintage specialists and NOS stock. Before buying used, always check tooth wear (symmetrical, pointed profile), bolt holes (no deformation or cracks in the spider).
10. Restoration vs daily use: which approach?
The replacement strategy depends on your goal for the bike. Two philosophies exist:
| Goal | Recommended approach | Brands / sources |
|---|---|---|
| Authentic restoration / collector build Preserve original value and identity |
Original NOS parts or excellent used condition | Vintage Bike Shop, Briko-bike, specialized eBay sellers |
| Daily use on a vintage bike Ride without worrying about wear |
New compatible chainrings (Stronglight / TA) | SL Sport Equipments, Cycles Fun Passion, direct TA |
| Partial modernization Keep frame, improve drivetrain |
Switch to 110 mm BCD if crankset is replaced | Modern Shimano 105 / Ultegra — see our brand comparison |
| Climbing-focused adaptation Long rides and mountain use on vintage frames |
Smaller TA or Stronglight chainrings (38–42T) | TA Criterium 38/40T in 130 or 135 mm |
| Orphan BCD (122 mm, 86 mm, etc.) | NOS only or full crankset replacement | Vintage specialists + forums (velovintageagogo) |
Chain compatibility warning: if your vintage bike still uses a 5 or 6-speed drivetrain, use a 6/7-speed chain (7.1 mm width). A modern 11-speed chainring will still work mechanically but may be noisier. If upgrading to modern drivetrains, ensure proper chainring compatibility. See our full guide on BCD standards.