Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - what to replace on my raleigh olympian

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




nowitsshowtime
06-13-09, 10:14 AM
Just picked up a raleigh olympian and realized, I probably overpaid. Oh well.

it has 700cc wheels, does anyone know how the quality of them is or brand? No idea what make they are, as they sprayed them flat black, but they are still the originals.

Also, it has a Sakae CX crank. Is this a decent crank? I'll eventually transfer my IRO parts over, but I'd like to have two bikes right now, so I just want to convert this quick.

Otherwise at least this bike fits me better and is that 555sl tubing.

Here is what it looks like, I'll clean up the stickers and put different bars on for sure.
http://images.craigslist.org/3k33m13ocZZZZZZZZZ96ae5ad4a0011671a3e.jpg


soul05
06-13-09, 10:44 AM
get some new handlebars....the previous owner seemed to be some kind of hipster.....
ive seen sakae cx cranksets on ebay for pretty cheap...

nowitsshowtime
06-13-09, 10:46 AM
bars are first on the list as mentioned. I was hoping the crank was of decent quality, oh well.


ianjk
06-13-09, 06:38 PM
IIRC, that crank isn't too bad. Not dura ace, but not crap.

nowitsshowtime
06-14-09, 09:58 AM
Doubt anyone cares, but so far I put the single rear brake on the front, glad thats out of the way. Going to turn it into a fixed gear tonight.

For anyone interested in weight, I'm glad this should be fairly light, compared to my Varsity.

Varsity Before - 42lbs (completely stock, steel wheels, nothing removed)
After - 26lbs (Aluminum wheels from Windsor - The hour, IRO crank, front brake)

Olympian Before - 25lbs still stock, just no rear brake, already with aluminum wheels.

Glad to see I'm already a lb under my current ride.

dansjustchillin
06-14-09, 01:29 PM
I have an 84 olympian. Originally it was my first conversion but now it looks like this.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/98/l_5ec0e6d4a71548a9b266c15740117aea.jpg

Bianchigirll
06-14-09, 08:42 PM
you never said what you paid for it. what kind of hubs are on the wheels? what kind of derailuers?

NukeouT
11-30-10, 07:59 PM
I have an 84 olympian. Originally it was my first conversion but now it looks like this.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/98/l_5ec0e6d4a71548a9b266c15740117aea.jpg

Nice upgrades, looks very modern. The pink matches the white in a good way also!

cc700
11-30-10, 08:19 PM
you down with OBB?