Chainring Options Capag 6-10 speed

[Andy JB]

So my classic Carlton or winter bike has a mid 90's Campagnolo 52/42 Chainset square taper - fairly typical for the time. It runs a 6 speed block 13-24, and i find on steeper climbes my gearing isn't quite low enough anymore especially compared to my moderns. So i'm considering an option from stronglight to lower inner chainring to 39.

Question is i'm running a 6/7/8 speed chain ie wider than modern 9 & 10 speed options - so can i run efficiently a 9-10 speed ring with a wider chain? theoretcally it should work this way but will it be smooth & efficient as o/e or do i need to spec a wider chainring of which there appears very limited options?

[gazza285]

It will work just fine, the inner widths of the chains are very nearly identical, the thinner chains use thinner side plates. The only problem might be a slight difference in offset.