Folding Bikes - Another day another Twenty

Finally got my Raleigh Twenty set-up with new wheels and it was a learning experience for me. Posted before about receiving Sun CR-18 451 rims instead of 406 from auction and went ahead and had a Sturmey 8 speed rear wheel built and a 90mm vintage hub installed in the front wheel. Primo Comet tires, tuffy tire liners, Koolstop pads and a new chain, 400mm seatpost and seat from my wife's 1980's Raleigh Marathon and I was ready. I had to remove the rear fender to install the 451 wheel. There is a spacer on the rear fender mount that prevented the wheel from going forward enough to get the axle in the dropouts. I love the gearing on the bike. I like to spin and don't find the gearing too low with the 46/25 as some have stated. I have experienced the 6th gear slippage that some have commented on even though everything seems to be properly adjusted. Even though I don't post a lot here I lurk and would like to tthank everyone for sharing their knowledge and experience on the Twenty. Pics attached. message.

Nice to see another one back on the road and getting some love! Nice set of updgrades - Hope you have plenty of fun with it.

Off topic slightly - was watching a trailer for the current UK movie 'Son of Rambo(w)' and about a minute in there's a great shot of a twenty with a trailer being ridden through Essex.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/sonoframbow/trailer/

Made me smile anyway.

Veloceleste:

Nice job!

Where did you get your wheels built? I'm trying to source some for my project.

"Nice to see another one back on the road and getting some love! Nice set of updgrades - Hope you have plenty of fun with it."

Thanks. I hope to do some commuting and maybe throw it in the car and do a little sightseeing. I rode it a bit yesterday and determined I want bit softer saddle. I'm considering a Brooks B67 or maybe a less expensive Specialized body contour. I have the Specialized on my other bikes and I find them very comfortable.


"Where did you get your wheels built? I'm trying to source some for my project."

Local bike shop where I bought the bike built the wheels. The rims came from online auction and the shop supplied the rest of the parts. The shop is a long time Raleigh dealer and he found a 90mm front hub so I wouldn't have to spread the fork. I want to be able to return the bike to stock should the need arise.

I would highly recommend the Brooks B66 - a great look on Raleigh Twenty and supremely comfortable. I have a lot of bikes but find myself riding the Raleigh folder most of the time.

yeah is a good bike

might get a set of those rims

thinking of going to see that Son of Rambow film. Loads of other bikes I like in there.

SesameCrunch,

Are you looking for 451 or 406 wheels? I had a wheelbuilder in San Jose build a set of 406's for my R20 at a reasonable price. He has others with much better hubs, still at a reasonable price. Interested? I can PM the info.

I would highly recommend the Brooks B66 - a great look on Raleigh Twenty and supremely comfortable. I have a lot of bikes but find myself riding the Raleigh folder most of the time.

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the recommendation. The B67 is the two rail version of the B66. After another short ride I decided I have to make this the next upgrade.

Had some minor issues with cable routing (chain was rubbing against adjustment barrel) and sixth gear slipping. Re-routed the cable and dialed in the adjustment and now the Twenty rides quietly and shifts smoothly. I took it out for 15 miles today and decided I wanted dual purpose pedals; platform on one side and spd clip on the other. I'm amazed how solid the bike feels and I was more confident on it than other vintage Raleighs I've owned (Sports and Sprite). So add pedals to the list of future upgrades.