Classic & Vintage - Some Questions about modernizing an older bike

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Patrick A
04-05-04, 12:43 PM
Hey folks.

I have a couple of 3 speed Raliegh's, Huffy's, old nicely lugged Taiwanese 10 speeds, etc...beater bikes that are also old. I want them to be reliable, and primarily I want to get away from the 26 x 1 3/8 tires. I use Armadillos on my commuter and I'd like to put them on these bikes, too. Can I change out the wheels for modern aluminum 26" ATB wheels? Also, what about upgrading cranks, etc?

Any suggestions or experience would be helpful. The idea is to have reliable back up and errand bikes. Thanks.

greywolf
04-05-04, 07:08 PM
If the frames are made with bottom brackets to fit one peice cranks then in all practicality they are stuck with them , the old 10speeds are likely 27' or 700 wheels & won't easily take a 26' wheel, the old 27' wheels can be upgraded to 700s as good tyres for 27' are as rare as rocking-horse $hit (here anyway), where a full range is avalable in 700.
mje1001
04-06-04, 06:59 AM
Hey folks.

I have a couple of 3 speed Raliegh's, Huffy's, old nicely lugged Taiwanese 10 speeds, etc...beater bikes that are also old. I want them to be reliable, and primarily I want to get away from the 26 x 1 3/8 tires. I use Armadillos on my commuter and I'd like to put them on these bikes, too. Can I change out the wheels for modern aluminum 26" ATB wheels? Also, what about upgrading cranks, etc?

Any suggestions or experience would be helpful. The idea is to have reliable back up and errand bikes. Thanks.

There are plenty of tires around that will fit the old wheels. Yes, you can upgrade cranks.

There's a ton of great information to be found on the old Raleigh 3-speeds here:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh26.html
and here:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html

While you can upgrade cranks nd bottom brackets, why spend $70-100 on converting a perfectly servicable steel crank to a modern aluminum one? (I admit I did this to an old Torpado 10-speed, but I had lots of used parts around)