Touring - My new ride...did I get a good deal?

I've been looking to get a touring bike for quite a while now and was rather pleased when I saw this bike on kijiji.ca. I got it yesterday and the man selling it said his father had done several tours on it then he had also done a few tours on it but it had just been sitting outside for over a year with no use :( so he decided to sell it.

It is a 1985(or so I am told) Raleigh Alyeska touring bike. I put some air in the tires and took it for a 30km ride this morning and it definately beats my mountain bike for riding on the road. I had a head wind the entire time and the ride seemed effortless.


Anyway, just wondering if anyone knew anything about this bike, had any recommendations on what to replace, and if I got a good deal on it(I paid $120).

Cheers.

Oh, and of course attached are some picturs

As much as i am concerned i think that if you like it then it was worth the $120( Nice bike!)

You are going to have trouble getting modern components to fit it if something breaks, just FYI. But for the money it sounds like you did pretty well.

You won't have trouble keeping it on the road. I have a Raleigh Marathon, roughly the same vintage, and it takes all standard Suntour-type components. Have fun with it.

It is not a problem getting parts for a bike like that. You may have to shop around for a bike shop that is willing to stock, get or help with things. But there is not a single thing that cannot be either upgraded or simply maintained on that bike. Its a great looking ride, wish I had one like it(to add to all the other pre 90's bikes that everyone says I can't get parts for:lol:)

The only things to look out for is the spacing on the rear if you want to put a modern cassette hub in it. That would only involve spreading the rear triangle.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

You are going to have trouble getting modern components to fit it if something breaks, just FYI. But for the money it sounds like you did pretty well.

Its a great looking ride, wish I had one like it(to add to all the other pre 90's bikes that everyone says I can't get parts for:lol:)

Seriously, Crispy. You act like things in bicycles change so quickly and drastically that parts are quickly obsolete. Bicycles are not computers, 24 years doesn't really matter much.
To the OP, Raleigh Alyeska's are good bikes. That bike is on a lot of peoples lists for vintage touring bikes. You got a very good deal on it.
-Gene-

Yeah, I'd give my right nut for a bike like that.



....it's my favorite one, too!

Beautiful! A very worthy frame to upgrade when you want or need to. You did very very well.

First thing I would do that will not cost you a cent is rotate the bars up and move the brakes so you have a nice platform for your hands. I would also take things apart and check for rust and use a rust killer (like Extend) on those areas then treat the frame w/ Framesaver.

Is there a kickstand hidden behind the crank? We were trying to see what was keeping the bike upright.

Thanks for all the replies, its much appreciated.


Beautiful! A very worthy frame to upgrade when you want or need to. You did very very well.

First thing I would do that will not cost you a cent is rotate the bars up and move the brakes so you have a nice platform for your hands. I would also take things apart and check for rust and use a rust killer (like Extend) on those areas then treat the frame w/ Framesaver.

Is there a kickstand hidden behind the crank? We were trying to see what was keeping the bike upright.

I actually rotated the bars to that spot because it looked like the most comfortable but, this is my first bike with drop bars so i'll try your way and see how that feels. Also, where do you suggest moving the brakes too? Further towards the end of the bars?

I actually stripped the bike down to the frame today and I'm going to clean everything, get rid of as much rust as possible and re-do all the bearings. I've never heard of frame saver so i'll look into that too it sounds like a worthy investment.

And yeah theres a kickstand hiding behind there, just took the picture at an odd angle I guess :rolleyes:


The only things to look out for is the spacing on the rear if you want to put a modern cassette hub in it. That would only involve spreading the rear triangle.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Thanks for the info, it's something I never would of thought of so i'll keep that in mind.

Well, I tore the bike down to the frame, it has a few large rust spots where the paint had chipped off. Most of it was from the seat post bolt and the kickstand. The bottom bracket was destroyed the cones and cups are completely pitted and on or two of the ball bearings are ground down so far that they wouldn't roll down an incline if you set them on the ground down side :S

So looks like I am going to need to replace the bottom bracket, but all the ones i've seen online look nothing like the one thats on here now...does anyone know where this can be had?

Next upgrades include bar tape, a nice saddle, and a new rear tire that I'll be able to trust a little more than the one thats on it already.

If that saddle in the first picture is set up for you, it's too big for you. I'm in a different camp from most of the folks here - I think if you want a PROJECT, go for it, but if you want a TOUR BIKE, buy something more modern that doesn't need so much work.

Sorry for the brutal honesty. It's my opinion.

Peace.

If that saddle in the first picture is set up for you, it's too big for you.

Yeah, the saddle is adjusted for me :( I can't comfortably stand flat footed over it.

But, on a 30km ride the other day it was heaps more comfortable than my mountain bikes I have set up with slicks. And it felt like I could ride all day on it.

However, with that said I plan on taking it on a few longer shake down rides to be 100% sure that its going to be comfortable before I put any major money(BB, wheelset, drivetrain) into it.


I'm in a different camp from most of the folks here - I think if you want a PROJECT, go for it, but if you want a TOUR BIKE, buy something more modern that doesn't need so much work.

...I want to use this as a project AND a tour bike :thumb:

My reasoning is that I'll have spent so many hours working on this bike I'll know exactly how to fix something if it ever breaks on the road.

EDIT: Nothing wrong with brutal honesty, thats what I hope to get when posting these questions.

You are going to have trouble getting modern components to fit it if something breaks, just FYI. But for the money it sounds like you did pretty well.

this is patently false.

I think the bike might be one size too big for the OP. He has the saddle all the way down on the top tube resulting in on seat post. This is very uncomfortable as you will feel every rut, bump and pothole. If you can't expose at least a handful of seat post, then the frame is too large.

I think the bike might be one size too big for the OP. He has the saddle all the way down on the top tube resulting in on seat post. This is very uncomfortable as you will feel every rut, bump and pothole. If you can't expose at least a handful of seat post, then the frame is too large.

You are probably right...But there is the reach to consider. Maybe the OP has a long torso compared to his leg length.

Still, if it doesn't fit you will be very uncomfortable during long days on tour.

Don't be discouraged by these comments--including mine. This looks like a fine bike and by fixing it up you will gain a lot of knowledge and confidence that will serve you well both on and off the bike.

It's not a bad bike, you got a good deal, and it sounds like you are up for working on it yourself. This will give you some experience doing maintenance.

Put the bars back where they are supposed to be. Then sell it and get a bike the correct size. The main problem with this bike will be that -- unless you have an uncommonly long upper body -- you will be too stretched out to ride long distances comfortably.

Well, I tore the bike down to the frame, it has a few large rust spots where the paint had chipped off. Most of it was from the seat post bolt and the kickstand. The bottom bracket was destroyed the cones and cups are completely pitted and on or two of the ball bearings are ground down so far that they wouldn't roll down an incline if you set them on the ground down side :S

So looks like I am going to need to replace the bottom bracket, but all the ones i've seen online look nothing like the one thats on here now...does anyone know where this can be had?



If the threads are the same, it should be fine. You would also need to get a crankset to match, however. Visit your LBS for help.

I had to agree at first with the people who say this bike looks too big for you, but if it's comfy on long rides, then it's up to you. If you find that on longer rides it is not comfortable, then you should downsize.

Well, I tore the bike down to the frame, it has a few large rust spots where the paint had chipped off. Most of it was from the seat post bolt and the kickstand. ...

Be sure to check for internal rust too. That's the silent frame killer. If this bike has indeed been sitting outside unsheltered for some time, there could be significant internal rust. While you have the bottom bracket out, look into every tube you can see with a flashlight to gauge how much rust there is. Then take the measures suggested to neutralize the rust/protect the frame.

I agree that the frame is too big. I had a Bianchi road bike that was too large for me (but it was a super deal, too), and it rode like an absolute dream...until it started to destroy my lower back because I couldn't get the saddle quite low enough or the bars quite close enough. It felt fantastic at first, in part because the saddle was too high. Racers generate more power that way, briefly--like in time trials. It's not a good or healthy way to ride long-term. So make sure you really can fit yourself on this frame, don't get injured. It sucks.

If the threads are the same, it should be fine. You would also need to get a crankset to match, however.

Not True.

measure the BB spindle (axle) length from end to end. you need to replace the BB with one with an axle the same size or maybe slightly longer. look at velo orange for very affordable cartridge style BBs. they will thread right into the BB shell, though they look slightly different.

http://www.velo-orange.com/grcrubobr.html

you do not need to "get a crankset to match" as yours will work perfectly well on any square-taper BB.

Looks like a fine touring bike, definitely a good deal, not a problem to maintain or upgrade.

But it's too big for you, and this is probably a problem. No worries, though; you will doubtless come across a touring bike of the right size before long, and you can sell this one for $300 or more.

Nice bike. I have many vintage touring bikes and parts are no problem.
For the BB you can get another cup and ball set or go to your LBS and have them sell you a sealed Shimano unit. I've done this a few times with great results. I've also gone with original parts. Ebay and google will lead you to them.
Here is a pic of one of my vintage touring rigs which I bought new in 84'.
I rebuilt it completely with mostly new parts. You can get the 7 speed Suntour to fit your Raleigh with no problem.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/fj40/DSC02401.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/fj40/DSC02394.jpg