vuelamanuel

First of all, glad to be here, this is my first post.
I started riding again after a long hiatus. Originally I rode loaners (80's & 90's italian bikes) from a triathlete uncle & averaged about 100mi/wk. My health went down the gutter in my 20's due to a couple misdiagnosed/contraindicated tx so I find myself 60 lbs heavier and with bad joints in my 30's.
I tried a lower end AL Specialized (sirrus) but find myself more comfortable in the older steel frame bikes. The bikes I knew/grew up riding are impossibly expensive now but I have found 2 Raleighs that might fit the bill:

1- '74 Supercourse MkII frame 54CT X 57 TT, 70 mm stem, good brooks B17N, post, stronglight BB, original drop bar (39 cm), weinmann cp brakes, bad headset, good paint and Simplex shifters for $175. The bike had little use & the shop also had the original Nervar steel cranks & huret derailleur for sale (extra 100 for both BUT I didn't think they were worth it). The CT gives me 2" clearance on 700c, the TT is 2 cm. longer that what I used to ride (54-55 w. 10 mm stem).

2-Competition '76 (non GS) 56CT X 57 TT, 110 mm stem, excellent Brooks Pro, Huret DO, Jubilee Derailleurs & shifters, same weinmann brakes, 27"Weimann/Normandy wheels (need repacking/bearings), same handle bar, good paint for $490. Still too long of TT, but curiously is the same length as the smaller CT frame. About 1" TT clearance...maybe less.

I would have to ride either with the 70 mm stem which seems kind of short. I like the looks on the Competition a bit better. If I buy the Supercourse I will have enough to buy a late 70's superbe/cyclone gruppo that the shop has for sale (New SB crank, levers, brakes & FD; used Cyclone RD, shifters & wheels for $ 200 more).

Which do you think is the better choice? S. Course with Suntour or slightly nicer, slightly too big Competition with ultra light/ultra delicate Jubilee???

THANKS!

nlerner

I think that's a tough choice and would depend on the actual fit of either bike. Fit isn't just a matter of ST, TT, and stem length, but has to do with headtube and seat-tube angles, bottom bracket height, saddle position, etc. Best thing in my view is if you could give each a decent ride to determine which fits you best. As you say, the Competition is the higher end bike, but if it's too big, you won't be happy with it.

Neal

vuelamanuel

Thanks Neal,
The issue is that both Raleighs have similar length top tubes (57 cm). Most fit calculators put me in a 53-54 TT with a 10-11 cm stem...but that might be hard with a mass produced vintage bike since many did not build proportional frames...I would end up with a 60-70 mm stem...is there any negative effect?

I have also found a Peugeot P?10 FRAME & STEM (smooth lugs, non drilled simplex dropouts) from either 72 or 76 that is proportional (52 X54). The Peugeot needs Paint. The gentlemen from BetterCycle can fit a BB and the stem is good (non-ava). Can I effectivelly hang my Suntour Cyclone/Superbe parts to this frame? (it looks like it will require some shims/creativity tough, different diameter tubing)
I still can't find the funky diameter bars. Plus there are issues of no brace ons for cables, bottles, etc...

Is it worth going to the trouble of rebuilding the Peugeot (can get good fit with 10 cm stem) or do the 60-70 mm stems do a good job?

Best!

Manny
PS.
The bike is meant to be ridden as a Club ride. Most other cyclists are using racing bikes with ocasional cyclocross bikes...



Thanks!