kpug505

I'm so stoked! I've been wanting one of these for years. Specifically this one. It was sold out from under me a while ago but the guy who got it knew I wanted it and got a hold of me when he decided to sell. He loved the bike and did his best to care for it but the only LBS left in town has no clue how to work on it. He got a new bike and I got this one for a song.
I plan on a bar swap, a proper Brooks and some more suitable tires but it's gonna have to wait it's turn. I've got other projects I have to complete first. In the meantime I fiddled with it for a couple minutes and got it rideable. It is now my daily transportation.

FlatTop

Nice! I love how the rear rack looks almost like part of the frame, instead of tacked on.

My Superbe is the only bike allowed in the house. I won't trust it to the garage, it's too nice.

USAZorro

Beauty. Wish mine was in that good of a condition.

gbalke

Nice looking bike. I see it's missing the dynohub and light system.

bernardmarx

Wow. I'd forgotten how good chrome can look on bike! That crankset and those Westricks are minty fresh...

kpug505

Yes...I know. I have the original wheelest from the bike but the rims are fugly. I've also got 2 spare Dynohubs so one of these days I'll get around to lacing them up. The lights are a different story.

gbalke

That's one reason I like the "Steel" bikes, they polish up nicely.

I restored a Sports for a friend of mine and this is an example of what can be accomplished, before and after:

NormanF

The original steel rims are the only obsolete vintage part. Replace them with an alloy wheelset and a Superbe rides the way it was always meant to ride. I'd look for a modern dynohub as replacement parts for the original are virtually impossible to get.

kpug505

I was actually just thinking about the swap you speak of...I'd just have to decide on what wheel size would fit and allow for big tires and not a bunch of reach for the brakes. There is a kinda local shop that specializes in wheel builds with SON hubs...Perhaps if I sell the minty fresh wheels off of this bike and part with my 3 dynohubs I'd be able to justify the expense. Meanwhile I'll ride it as is for the winter while I ponder suitable upgrades.

JJPistols

boss ride, holmes

kpug505

Thanks...I like it a bit more than I thought I would. Even in it's modified state it rides surprisingly well!

wahoonc

As long as the old dynohub is still working I wouldn't bother with a new hub at this point. They can be cleaned up and work as good as new. Only major no-no is separating the magnet from the hub without a proper keeper ring. One of these days I will either fine one or make one. I am running SA dyno hubs on 3 bikes and have a couple more about to get built into wheels to keep the vintage look. Now if I could just find a reliable source for polished or chrome alloy rims...

Aaron

NormanF

The do have 650A alloy rims available. 650B would be a better choice. I'd go with them today because they aren't too far apart from the original wheelset size and don't change the handling too much. With 700C, you raise the bottom bracket and this makes for quite a different bike. 650B has undergone a renaissance and there is a decent range of tires available in the size.

David Newton

Why not get the 26 x 1-3/8" rims in aluminum, is that the 650A size?
What are the issues on that vs the 650B?
What are the spoke lengths?

NormanF

650A = 590mm

650B = 584mm

With 650B, the difference in brake reach is 3". There is nothing wrong with the 650A size but in practice the selection of rims and tires for it is rather scanty. That is why if one wants a tire size other than 700C or 26" - 559mm used on MTBs and cruisers, 650B is the intermediate option available.

HSean

I think the steel rims look nice so long as their in good condition. One of my sports has a rear 3 speed dyno hun. I see them for sale around here sometimes. also wanna polish my sports too? I have many of them wanting to be polished.

David Newton

Harris has the 650A aluminum rims at a good price, but the 650B are 3x.
Where?

jtgotsjets

They might look good but they're gonna be heavier and they aren't going to stop you as easily in the rain.

NormanF

The steel frame is quite lively but the wheels are not going to do full justice to the Superbe. When you upgrade to alloy, you'll appreciate it more for being a bicycle no one makes today - it was built to last.

Panthers007

Very, very nice looking 3-speed Raleigh! Steel-wheels or alloy, that's a darn fine-looking machine!

Congratulations!

kpug505

Thanks so much...It may seem strange to some but this is actually the first bike I've gotten (in my size) that I can check off of the "must have" list. It's a keeper...

pastorbobnlnh 

Recently a ladies Superbe came up on CL-NH but I was the second one to inquire so wasn't able to buy it. What's the difference between the Superbe and the Sports? The frame? The seller only wanted $40 for it so I felt the dyno hub and light were worth that.
Help me out with this: 590mm-584mm=6mm. This is about 1/4 inch not 3 inches. Are you certain there is this big of a difference?

The reason I ask is I have a Jetter frameset that is equipped with the 650A steel rims (26X1 3/4), and I'm thinking about using 650B aluminum wheels. Would there really be that big of a gap under the fenders?

David Newton

I think maybe the 3" is the total reach, not the difference.

Let me know what you come up with for 650B rims?

Allan Pollock

I think he meant 3mm. 590mm-584mm=6mm in diameter. therefore, brake reach increases 6mm*1/2=3mm with a change from 650A to 650B.

I would guess that the brake arms could accomodate a 3mm increase in reach, but it's always best to measure first (front and rear).

Allan

SirMike1983 

I've run on chromed steel rims for years and think they're great. The Raleigh pattern Westricks are heavy, but tough as nails and usually look quite nice.

My only modern swap is on the spokes-- if I am doing wheel work I usually swap the galvanized old spokes for modern silver stainless ones. They look nice and match the chrome rims, but they also eliminate the annoying occasional need to knock surface rust spots off the old type spokes. At 72 spokes total, that was a pain.