Bicycle Mechanics - i need help!!

hello, i'm a new member, and am inexperienced with road bikes. I have a 1976 RALEIGH GRAND PRIX and i would love to restore it. the rims are true, and nothing is wrong with the frame, but it has no derailleurs. The backwheel has a 5 speed suntour freewheel. any suggestions on what kind of parts to get for it would be extremely helpful. thank you!

I restored one of those bikes. They're frames are pretty bulletproof and is likely fine today. Take a close look at the frame/fork though - checking for any bends or other signs of impact. You'll likely need to rebuild the drivetrain - derailleurs, a new freewheel, possibly a modern crankset and bottom-bracket. New cables and housing. If the wheels are original, they are likely steel rims. These weigh a ton and don't brake well in wet-weather. So you might look into getting newer alloy wheels for the bike. I'll guess the wheels you have are 27" ones. So you might also look into going over to 700C, which would require your brakes to reach properly, but they may well do so fine. But you can find alloy 27" wheels available.

So here's the overview of what you are looking at. Some photos would help greatly.

I have a (I think) 1978 Raleigh Grand prix that I am removing the derailleurs and shifters off to install an internally geared hub. They are all in good shape and have worked well.

Do you know anyone who might need such things?

I have a (I think) 1978 Raleigh Grand prix that I am removing the derailleurs and shifters off to install an internally geared hub. They are all in good shape and have worked well.

Do you know anyone who might need such things?


Umm...The OP? :D

alright, well i think the rims are allow. The crankset seems to be more updated, well the arms and pedals anyway. I live in sacramento, so i was thinking about heading to the bike kitchen for some cheap parts. would i need a 10 speed or 5 speed derailleur? there are 5 speeds on the freewheel. and two chainwheels on the crank. any suggestions on a decent derrailleur that won't break the bank? thanks guys. all this information is very helpful.

bike kitchen SF folks rock and they can help you out a lot i'm sure. firsthand experience is the best teacher! they have quite a stockpile of used parts and can probably get you most of the way there.

Also check with bike shops for parts they're throwing out. A lot of them are older-generation 6/7/8-spd derailleurs and shifters. Perfect for your restoration project.

Virtually any modern rear-derailleur would fit the bill if you are using friction-shifters. Either DT-shifters (down-tube) of stem-mounted. If the freewheel is old and worn, you should replace it. A 6-spd. freewheel would likely work just fine without needing to re-dish your rear-wheel. If you replace the freewheel, a new chain would also be in order. A new chain that is for 8-speeds - which work on 5, 6, and 7-speed freewheels/cassette.

hmm, okay thanks. would puting say...aero shifters on the bike work? or would i have to use the downtube shifters?

If you use a indexed-shifter - you would need one - currently - that would work with your 5-speed freewheel. Good luck!! LOL. Any friction-shifter will work fine - regardless of you're having 5 or 6 cogs on the freewheel. No matter what type it is or it's location.