Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - CL bikes for conversion... worth it?

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thermite6
08-06-07, 10:48 PM
I am thinking about picking up one or the other of these two CL bikes for a conversion to SS. Does anyone know anything about them? Has anyone converted one before? Asking $75 each

Classic KHS
Raleigh Wyoming

Pics attached

barba
08-06-07, 10:50 PM
I would wait for something better to come along.
BRANDUNE
08-06-07, 10:52 PM
Get the KHS just for those huuuuuge risers:)

roughrider504
08-06-07, 11:17 PM
The Raleigh Wyoming is a cool bike. Needs a bit of work but still nice.
littledjahn
08-07-07, 01:47 PM
They are also different sizes by at least 6cm. They both look heavy and slow, though.
kemmer
08-07-07, 02:16 PM
They are also different sizes by at least 6cm. They both look heavy and slow, though.

Beat me to it. If one of those bikes fits you, the other won't. You should buy the one that fits. The price is pretty good on both of those and they are good candidates for conversion. I don't think they "look heavy" by any means. The KHS looks like it's made of tange tubing, you could do a lot worse.
seaneee
08-07-07, 02:28 PM
KHS were tange, there was definitely a range of good to nice, but in general KHS frames from that era were pretty descent. Also looks like it has alloy araya rims, probably 27's. The DT shifters are also clamp ons, so that will be a clean removal.

The Raleigh looks like it might have steel rims, also weinmann centerpull brakes (KHS has sidepull, probably suntour).

Overall, the KHS is a nicer bike with slightly better comp.
BeerBiker
08-07-07, 02:39 PM
The Raleigh is a touring frame, which means longer wheelbase, plusher ride. It looks big, though. like a 58 cm, if not bigger. Either would work for what you're doing.

Mark
Rikardi151
08-07-07, 02:44 PM
KHS were tange, there was definitely a range of good to nice, but in general KHS frames from that era were pretty descent. Also looks like it has alloy araya rims, probably 27's. The DT shifters are also clamp ons, so that will be a clean removal.

The Raleigh looks like it might have steel rims, also weinmann centerpull brakes (KHS has sidepull, probably suntour).

Overall, the KHS is a nicer bike with slightly better comp.

The raleigh has Al rims and sidepulls.
kemmer
08-07-07, 02:45 PM
The Raleigh looks like it might have steel rims, also weinmann centerpull brakes (KHS has sidepull, probably suntour).


Those brakes aren't centerpulls.
kemmer
08-07-07, 02:46 PM
The Raleigh is a touring frame, which means longer wheelbase, plusher ride. It looks big, though. like a 58 cm, if not bigger. Either would work for what you're doing.

Mark

What makes you think it's a touring frame? I admit I can't really tell by looking at a bike unless it has cantilever brakes. (even then, if it's newer it could be a CX bike)
gargiulo.mike
08-07-07, 03:21 PM
which one fits?
BeerBiker
08-07-07, 03:37 PM
What makes you think it's a touring frame? I admit I can't really tell by looking at a bike unless it has cantilever brakes. (even then, if it's newer it could be a CX bike)Well, maybe I would be better to say "more touring-like geometry" mostly going by the length of the chainstays. Bikes geared toward touring usually have a longer wheelbase for pannier clearance and plusher ride. It just looks like it has a lot of room in the rear triangle... That's all. Edit: Found this in the '85 Raleigh Catalog on Sheldon's site: http://retroraleighs.com/catalogs/1985/pages/2.html

Lower right hand corner

Mark