Classic & Vintage - Grinding crank on raleigh Technium.

I just traded one of my bikes for a Raleigh Technium Olympian a week or so ago. The BB makes
a grinding feeling while pedaling. I imagine the bearings and axle are shot, but it's not loose really.
Being that it probably was ridden a lot in this condition, it needs replacing like last year. It's the worst
I have run into so far. Will I run into any problems finding a new BB, or was it pretty much standard?
It's the first road bike I have owned that is this new(funny huh?) and I want to make sure I get the right stuff especially ordering online. How about quality level? What's a decent BB for this bike? Something equal to the bike's level, but not too high dollar.,,,,BD



http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/purplympian.jpg

Is it a traditional BB or a cartridge unit? Have you opened it up and had a look? The BB may just need repacked.

I'm not really sure. I haven't had a lot of time to look it over yet. I'm thinking it has a lock ring, but I have so many bikes I may be thinking of another one. I will give it a look tomorrow when I'm changing out the bars. A cartridge will be sunken in looking with a splined wrench fitting, right? My junk rockhopper has that kind.,,,,BD

Nice looking Ride!

I keep thinking I need a "New" Bike, but I keep finding and riding old steel.

Maybe for my 30th (Next July) I'll get a "Modern" ride.

You'll need to take the BB apart and find out what length spindle you've got for that crank. A lot of older BB spindles were not symetrical lengths left and right, while newer ones are symetrical. Which means you'll need to figure out how to get the correct chainline if you're not going to use the exact same type of spindle. Check out Sheldon Brown's site for a good sized chart showing a cross reference to older spindles and the best modern alternative.

Ahh, but that's the best part about this one. It's both steel and aluminum, haha. It is also back heavy when lifted, but overall is fairly light. I may have to take it to the LBS to get it weighed.,,,,BD

I have run into the uneven length axles before. You can imagine the dammit line when it wouldn't clear the stay after assembly, lol. Since then I always check them out beforehand.,,,,BD

I checked it out today, but haven't opened it. It appears to be a standard type. I also swapped on a straight bar and taller stem from a Rockhopper. It really doesn't look all that bad. I need some levers though. The ones I used don't have the pulling power needed for effective braking. I know some of you hate straight bars, but my back hates drop bars. Some bikes are worse than others, and this one was one of the bad ones. Probably because the top tube is a bit short.

It still looks pretty good IMHO, and is comfortable for me now. I have pretty wide shoulders, and the width of most drops feel too narrow to me.,,,,BD

I just traded one of my bikes for a Raleigh Technium Olympian a week or so ago......How about quality level?



http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/purplympian.jpg


If that's one of the '87-93 Techniums that was made in Kent/Seattle, WA, I think you'll be extremely happy with it. I love the feel of mine and feel the cold-process Technium frames, designed and built at Kent were excellent:)

I first became interested in them after seeing this: http://www.yellowjersey.org/techoly.html


Be sure to click on "The other not-so-nice-one" at the bottom o' the page

BD, Just wondering if you know about what year that Raleigh is? I have two late 80's Techniums; a Pre and a 440 and on both of them the seat stays are bolted to the seat tube. The rest of the bike is bonded with lugs. I didn't see a Technium decal anywhere on it, is it not very prominent?
They are nice riding bikes (a little harsh on rough roads) but handle fairly well.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57/crazy-b/001Large.jpg
This is my Pre.

Replaced my 87 Technium BB last year. Standard Shimano Cartridge 68mm, Square Taper. Mine was about 122mm. Some were triples and I beleive some 7 speeds so you should Measure he Length or have LBS do it.

Assuming that you have a non-cartridge cup, cone, and spindle BB setup, you should take out both the fixed and adjustable sides of the BB (requires a cup wrench). Then look at the balls... if they are still shiny, you can use them again. Also, pay careful attention to the condition of the two races on the spindle (the smooth part in contact with the ball bearings). If there is no pitting and they can wash off to be clean and smooth, I think you can just repack and adjust it without replacing anything. Any sign of scrapes or scratches and you should replace the spindle with one of the same length.

Hope this helps... I have only done it twice myself but it was easier than I imagined.

I believe it's a 7 back, and double up front. From the components and the recollection of the owner, it's an
early 90's. I'm not sure when biopace was being made. Oh and get this! It was the front derailleur rubbing the chain. The "cage" needs straightened, looks like an elongated stop sign. On the extremes of lever movement, it makes no noise at all. A little prying and twisting should have it as good as new. For the brakes I got some Avid levers and silver housing from the LBS, and it also works flawlessly. This thing flies
down the road. I think I came out on the better end of the trade.,,,,BD

Just got through with a new saddle install, and decided to take an updated pic. The weather is still coolish and overcast. Typical Houston winter. I will do a thorough cleaning and take some more pics when it warms up. I love this bike!! And a closer inspection of the frame construction stickers, reveals that it is indeed a Seattle made bike(made in USA). ,,,,BD

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/purplympiandeaux.jpg

Mary bars, Mary bars, Mary bars.... Cant you hear your bike crying for them?

Looks great! :beer:

Hmm, interesting. Never heard of Mary handlebars until I googled them. Interesting look. Maybe a Moustache bar might look good too? I like the tall stem from the Rockhoppper. Partly for the look, but
also for the fact that it gets the grips away from my knees. It's a bit on the small side frame wise, and one of my first "real" bikes that shows some seatpost. I gotta get this thing weighed! It feels around 20-25 pounds, probably closer to 25. I know for sure it's lighter than my carbolite Peugeot and CrMo Maruishi.
The E3 saddle may take some getting used to, but I am beginning to appreciate firmer saddles lately.
Those lycra foam "supersoft" saddles I used to like feel horrible now.,,,,BD

Nasbar sells cheap mustache bars (they are steel, but have a nice bend). I would consider giving them a try. I think they would look nicer than the flat bars on that bike.

I have a set of those not three feet behind me. They're going on my 73 Super Sport, once I find a matching paint for Opaque blue. Had to redo a brazed on cable stop. I've noticed they don't match the ad pic that much.,,,,BD