where to find a Raleigh 20?

[peripatetic]

I'm posting in the Vintage section also, but thought I'd ask here if anyone knows where to look for Raleigh 20s? Is eBay the only place? They hardly ever show up on Craigslist here in NYC.

Also, anyone know if it's easy to convert such a bike into a fixed gear?

thanks for any info.

[Tomaso]

I'm posting in the Vintage section also, but thought I'd ask here if anyone knows where to look for Raleigh 20s? Is eBay the only place? They hardly ever show up on Craigslist here in NYC.

Also, anyone know if it's easy to convert such a bike into a fixed gear?

thanks for any info.


Hi Peripatetic,

Check out v1nce's website on his Twenty, or Littlepixel's website. Both have lots of experience with the Twenty.
http://www.littlepixel.info

They'll probably drop you a note later on, as they are reallly Twenty-enthouisiasts.

(Checked on Ebay already??)

Good luck!

[pharnabazos]

Also, anyone know if it's easy to convert such a bike into a fixed gear?



Not with the standard 3 speed hub (unless you're a welder), but you can apparently replace the wheels with standard BMX flip-flop. I haven't actually done it for the rear, though.

[peripatetic]

Thanks to both of you for the responses. Tomaso, I'll check the link; great resource.

<edit> Tomaso, link didn't work!<edit>


Pharnabazos, thanks for the info on the BMX hub. Will be an easy conversion for me, and since they're 3-speed, I don't even have to worry about chainline. Excellent.

[pharnabazos]

Thanks to both of you for the responses. Tomaso, I'll check the link; great resource.

<edit> Tomaso, link didn't work!<edit>


Pharnabazos, thanks for the info on the BMX hub. Will be an easy conversion for me, and since they're 3-speed, I don't even have to worry about chainline. Excellent.

Here's a nice one from FGG--weighs just 22 pounds! The replacement parts are listed, too.


Fixed Twenty (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/mendis20.htm)

[LittlePixel]

I'm posting in the Vintage section also, but thought I'd ask here if anyone knows where to look for Raleigh 20s? Is eBay the only place? They hardly ever show up on Craigslist here in NYC.

If you can afford shipping or find an even cheaper way of getting one from the UK then it's possibility, being the most abundant source. They are pretty common still and change hands for as low as £15 ($25) on ebay here with 2 or more auctions every week. Heck - there's an auction for a *brand new* frame here at the moment for £10. (See other current thread) .Seems your US prices are on the really up as they get more rare and coveted...

Also, anyone know if it's easy to convert such a bike into a fixed gear?

Pretty easy yes...
I put a BMX flip-flop wheel on mine and [ahem] glued on the sproket with hard epoxy 'suicide style' as a sort of prototype before spending a lot on better components; I had to switch my chainring onto the inner side of the crank to get a good chainline and it runs well. Now I have a 'proof of concept' and finally found a good European source for some decent aero 20" rims I intend to build a 'proper' fixed wheelset with a 120mm track hub. (I have all bits 'cept spokes)

Thanks to Tomasi for mentioning my site; the full url is http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty - If you miss off the .../twenty you just get to a blank frontpage (Sorry!)

There are several people with fixed Twenties on the Fixed Gear Gallery (www.fixedgeargallery.com - search for Raleigh Twenty) that would probably offer any advice if you email them and ask nicely too...

Best regards
Huw

[juan162]

Hi,
If you are not willing to pay ebay prices for them, I think what LittlePixel has to say about trying to get one from England might have merit. If you are willing to pay ebay prices though, the easiest and quickest way is via ebay.
As far as fixing it, what everyone says is true...it's really easy. However, if you want to upgrade the crank to a cotterless, just know that that can be tricky and expensive.
I love my twenty and it is my main ride.
Good luck on finding one, juan162

[andy_is_me]

i too have a fixed twenty. my rear hub is a surly track hub. the two things i had to do to make it fit were to file out the rear dropouts to be big enough to accomodate the axle and i also had to respace the rear triangle to 120mm. there was a few pain in the ass things that i encountered while working on my twenty but those two were the only fixed gear specific things i can think of.

as far as twentys being expensive and hard to find, i think that if you keep your eyes peeled for a few months you'll start seeing them all over. people, like me, that are into them, value them much more than most people who have them rotting away in their garage.

[pharnabazos]

Thanks to Tomasi for mentioning my site; the full url is http://www.littlepixel.info/twenty - If you miss off the .../twenty you just get to a blank frontpage (Sorry!)



Nice fixie! I like the bullhorns on the twenty.

[Hjalti]

I've got a fixed twenty too. Fixing was the easiest thing to do.
Details on my Twenty Page, Twenty Country (http://home.att.net/~jfgorham/twenty_country.htm)

[pharnabazos]

Man, fixed raleighs are hot! They're just a hair's breadth more slack and five pounds heavier than the Bike Friday fixies on FGG. But for the cost/looks ratio, they definitely win out.

[hbob]

There is a nice one on eBay now. Item #661060578
Better than a lot have looked.

[pharnabazos]

There is a nice one on eBay now. Item #661060578
Better than a lot have looked.

$163.50 and reserve not met? Fahgeddaboutit.

Especially in the condition reported:

"THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF SURFACE RUST HERE AND THERE BUT NOTHING A LITTLE BIT OF ELBOW GREASE WILL REMOVE" :D

[charlcilliers]

Hi

I have a 1970s BSA Twenty made by Raleigh in South Africa if you are interested. Its in pretty good nick. E-mail me at charlcilliers@yahoo.com if you'd like some pictures. It is for sale.

Regards

Charl Cilliers