Re: [CR]Moral quandary: my sister's new Raleigh Grand Sports

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

From: "Adam Hammond" <anhammond@gmail.com>
To: classic rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <200805010043.m410h9MF027717@cascade.cs.ubc.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR]Moral quandary: my sister's new Raleigh Grand Sports
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:59:40 -0400
References: <200805010043.m410h9MF027717@cascade.cs.ubc.ca>


Thanks to everyone who responded, both on list and off. Until I read Donald's reply, I was feeling pretty good about my plan to swap on modern components. My request for further advice straddles the line between the iBOB list and this one, but I'll solicit opinions here for now and hope it's on topic!

The advantages of a fairly thorough stripping and swapping are several. First, I already have a long-cage 105 rear derailleur, a Sora triple front derailleur, 8 speed bar end shifters, some Nitto Noodle handlebars, extra 700x32 Paselas, some Shimano aero levers, and a nice Ritchey seatpost that would all work perfectly in the "new" configuration. With a new Nitto stem, a 700c wheelset, and a triple crankset (likely a Sugino), it would be a very different looking bike. But I feel pretty confident my sister would enjoy riding it. And I also know that I'd feel a little guilty, that the frame would feel a bit awkward thus dressed up, and that it would cost quite a bit of money. (I'd also have to spread the rear OLD to 126-135mm depending on the new wheelset)

The advantages of keeping it more or less intact are also pretty clear. Less wasteful, and more in the sprit of the bike. I'd likely swap the derailleurs and shifters for Suntour as Donald suggests -- I think it would look mighty odd to put on my modern Shimano in such a context. I'd polish and true the wheels and dress them in Paselas. But this too might get expensive: I'd need a smaller small ring for the Stronglight cranks (as it stands, it's a 42, and I'd like a 38, as it's mighty hilly in Barrie, Ontario); I'd need to track down and buy new derailleurs and shifters (you know where I'd come to ask!); I'd like a new freewheel; I'm not too fond of the look of the Weinmann levers, so perhaps some new hoods at least? And I'd worry that it would be less congenial to the needs of a currently-not-riding, hilly- city-living mother of three and more to those of her vintage-bicycle- loving younger brother -- that she might be more comfortable on a bike with bars raised higher and more likely to ride one with indexed shifting and a triple. But then I think: I ride all my bikes with friction shifting, and I started with STI -- she knows no better, and it will shift well! And, the position is still reasonable, and with a wide range freewheel, she'll have all the low gears she needs...

Advice still sought, on list or off! I'll let you all know what I decide. And I thank you very much for all the responses and the lively discussion!

(My sister is, by the way, listening intently to the conversations I forward to her, and very much part of the decision making process...)

ps: I didn't mean to ignite a resumption of the Raleigh debates -- but, yes, the brazing it a bit globby in parts and sparse in others -- notably the lower head lug. I hope it don't end up killing my sister!

Adam Hammond
Toronto, Ontario, Canada