Restoring & updating a classic touring bicycle
The pursuit of rebuilding a classic Raleigh that is safe enough for San Francisco or Seattle streets (e.g., hills, narrow streets, wet/slick pavement, ...)
After all, all you need is a three!
...And because contemporary versions of the classic are rare in the US (or even in England).
- First, some safety tips:
- You know that your real stopping power comes from the front, right?
- Most of the time USE ONLY the front break!
- Here is Sheldon Brown's rebuild of a classic Raleigh
- ...intended to be an interpretation of the classic Raleigh Sports/Superbe 3-speed, only with higher-quality materials and with improved modern technology.
Original
gear ratios:
| 46 / 13 | |
|---|---|
| 1.333 | 8.7 |
| 33.3 % | |
| 1.000 | 6.5 |
| 33.3 % | |
| 0.750 | 4.9 |
compared with
Shimano Nexus 7 or 8 speed hubs replacement
| 46 / 13 | |
|---|---|
| 1.615 | 10.5 |
| 13.8 % | |
| 1.419 | 9.2 |
| 16.0 % | |
| 1.223 | 7.9 |
| 22.3 % | |
| 1.000 | 6.5 |
| 17.5 % | |
| 0.851 | 5.5 |
| 13.8 % | |
| 0.748 | 4.9 |
| 16.1 % | |
| 0.644 | 4.2 |
| 22.2 % | |
| 0.527 | 3.4 |
original tire sizing= 37-590; Use the English 26 X 1 3/8 size. This has a different bead-seat diameter (I.S.O.590 mm) [26 X 1 3/8 (E.A.3) 650A]
selection of tires:
Internal Geared Hubs:
- SRAM i-motion 9 with disc brakes
- SRAM accommodates disc brakes
- Shimano Nexus 7 or 8 speed hubs
- Sturmey Archer X-RD5(W)
- while the Raleigh has an over locknut dimension of 110mm, the 155.0mm Axle requires 116mm over locknut dimension, which is easily accommodated by the steel frame; however, the big issue is that the 8-speed variety use 1:1 gear ratio for first gear and go up from there (whereas their 5-speed, the SRAM and Shimano models have the 1:1 gear ratio as the middle gear).
Building a custom bike:
An excellent starting point: start with a fixie, flat bar, rigid/straight fork and frame that uses horizontal drop-outs, so custom washers may be used to ensure massive torque still won't yank the hub out of the frame.
- Conceptually, consider the Bianchi Milano but with substitutions:
- steel frame & fork set
- slight forward tilt of seat
- inverted cyclocross or moustache bars which replicate original Raleigh handle bars
- sram i-motion 9:
- accommodates disc brakes, puts the 1:1 ratio in middle of gearing (unlike Sturmey Archer, which has it as first gear)
- Custom:
- rear drop-outs comparable to Raleigh One Way 2007 (though this requires breaking the chain in order to change the tire)
- sram i-motion 9 with disc brakes
- PerfectWheels wheel builders in Seattle