For the love of English 3 speeds...
10-01-15, 11:57 AM
#8226
Senior Member
I did a lot of major upgrades to my Raleigh Wayfarer. True, it was never a pristine machine, with its mismatched fenders, one piece handlebar-stem, and what looked like children's pedals, so there was rarely any concern about wrecking its "pristine" condition. But I always intended it to be a "daily rider" so I had new wheels built on alloy rims, and over the past five years did other things like new mudguards, seatpost, etc. Alloy rims are always a good investment, not as much for lightening up the wheel, but stopping power in the wet. And riding a bike daily in Cascadia, that's a big concern.
I can see doing "faithful restorations" if the bike is more a Sunday rider/special occasion machine that won't see rain (or you just live in a very dry climate.) Or that the bike is old enough that you don't want to remove/destroy the nice old parts. But my philosophy has always been that bikes are for riding.
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10-01-15, 12:20 PM
#8227
aka Tom Reingold
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I wasn't going to go as far as replacing the crank...while I did do it on my own bike with good results, I also recognize that I got pretty lucky in getting everything to fit right. I'm not looking for a struggle with Linda's bike.
I was think about aluminum rims, stem, handlebars, and seat post, and I've already rounded up a nice B-66S for it. I think if I could knock 5 pounds or so off the weight, I'd be happy. I think it's doable.
I was think about aluminum rims, stem, handlebars, and seat post, and I've already rounded up a nice B-66S for it. I think if I could knock 5 pounds or so off the weight, I'd be happy. I think it's doable.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-01-15, 12:54 PM
#8228
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I upgraded my early 50's Sport with modern calipers and SunCr18 polished aluminum rims with stainless spokes.I anything i fell it greatly enhance it and good to go for anther 60 years.
10-01-15, 03:00 PM
#8229
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10-01-15, 04:24 PM
#8230
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@arex, whatever you do is fine. Your delineation is fine though arbitrary, but that's how it goes. I don't think you'll ever make it a light bike, and it would be expensive just to make it slightly lighter. Aluminum rims are a worthwhile investment. An aluminum crankset would reduce weight further, but it's expensive, and the weight savings would be small. You could replace the handlebar and stem for further weight reduction. You could replace the fenders with plastic ones, and that would save weight, but they won't be as reliable. You could replace the chainguard, but you'll never get one as good. Or you could remove the chainguard. I probably wouldn't do most of these things to a 3-speed except change the rims. But if you did any or all of them, I wouldn't call you crazy.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
10-01-15, 04:35 PM
#8231
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I have the Panaracer *and* the cheap Kendas at the same time (on two different bikes) and I found the Panaracers nice but not worth the extra cash.
10-01-15, 07:21 PM
#8232
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Personally, no.
I did a lot of major upgrades to my Raleigh Wayfarer. True, it was never a pristine machine, with its mismatched fenders, one piece handlebar-stem, and what looked like children's pedals, so there was rarely any concern about wrecking its "pristine" condition. But I always intended it to be a "daily rider" so I had new wheels built on alloy rims, and over the past five years did other things like new mudguards, seatpost, etc. Alloy rims are always a good investment, not as much for lightening up the wheel, but stopping power in the wet. And riding a bike daily in Cascadia, that's a big concern.
I can see doing "faithful restorations" if the bike is more a Sunday rider/special occasion machine that won't see rain (or you just live in a very dry climate.) Or that the bike is old enough that you don't want to remove/destroy the nice old parts. But my philosophy has always been that bikes are for riding.
I did a lot of major upgrades to my Raleigh Wayfarer. True, it was never a pristine machine, with its mismatched fenders, one piece handlebar-stem, and what looked like children's pedals, so there was rarely any concern about wrecking its "pristine" condition. But I always intended it to be a "daily rider" so I had new wheels built on alloy rims, and over the past five years did other things like new mudguards, seatpost, etc. Alloy rims are always a good investment, not as much for lightening up the wheel, but stopping power in the wet. And riding a bike daily in Cascadia, that's a big concern.
I can see doing "faithful restorations" if the bike is more a Sunday rider/special occasion machine that won't see rain (or you just live in a very dry climate.) Or that the bike is old enough that you don't want to remove/destroy the nice old parts. But my philosophy has always been that bikes are for riding.
The other bikes are the everyday riders and have been modified and set up for safety and comfort. As you said, bikes are for riding.
10-01-15, 07:25 PM
#8233
Senior Member
I've also had the cheap Kendas (got 'em free!) and liked them too.
10-01-15, 07:45 PM
#8234
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I already have some Continentals in the right size. I'm not making the mistake of going with 700C wheels on this one.
10-01-15, 09:51 PM
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Have to admit, I have a cheap Koobi style saddle that I bolt on to any of my bikes that I plan on riding any distance. I'm considering spending the money for a real Koobi Classic. They aren't nearly as ugly as the one I have now. I'd like to try a Brooks Imperial, but the relief along the full length of the saddle instead of just the middle really works for me. I don't think the Brooks would be as comfortable.
10-02-15, 12:22 AM
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I'd always read it as 'Velovixen'.
I saw your reference to 'Mr. Velocivixen', and thought "What are those extra letters doing there?". Then I looked above your picture. Doh.!
I'm going to have to pay more attention in future.!
You ought to see the 'Spanish Inquisition' sketch though. Rather silly, but in a good way..
10-02-15, 03:17 AM
#8239
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Thread Starter
A Sturmey Archer 3 speed can run 30,000 miles or more before it needs to be overhauled and then it will be good for another 30,000 or more.
10-02-15, 05:59 AM
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Many companies offer a lifetime warranty on frames, but Raleigh just built a bicycle that in some respects was overbuilt but in other respects, was built exactly the way it needed to be to provided decades of service.
A Sturmey Archer 3 speed can run 30,000 miles or more before it needs to be overhauled and then it will be good for another 30,000 or more.
A Sturmey Archer 3 speed can run 30,000 miles or more before it needs to be overhauled and then it will be good for another 30,000 or more.
I don't think the world will ever see this level of craftsmanship and certainly not the aesthetics of these bikes in mass market production ever again. True, it is 1930s technology, but there's a lot to admire about 1930s technology. It's all a matter of what you think "improvements" are.
10-02-15, 11:24 AM
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I chose my SN because I'm a fan of Professor Longhair.
I'm confirming that a 22T cog will clear the chainguard of a DL1. Very pleased about this.
I'm confirming that a 22T cog will clear the chainguard of a DL1. Very pleased about this.
10-02-15, 01:23 PM
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10-02-15, 01:57 PM
#8244
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10-02-15, 03:44 PM
#8245
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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I could have posted these in the Spotted In The Wild thread, but thought they'd be more appreciated here.
I saw this nifty Dunelt locked up near the foot of the Libby Hill climb at the Worlds last weekend here in town.
And at the top of the same hill I saw this ladies Sports, nearly identical to the one in my garage. Note the pedals.
And today at a little thrift shop near home I found this ladies' Hercules with SA twist-grip, hub shiners, and a 65 hub date. She says she might be willing to trade it for some parts to fix other bikes she's trying to sell. Bad news for me, who most certainly has parts and needs not another bike.
I saw this nifty Dunelt locked up near the foot of the Libby Hill climb at the Worlds last weekend here in town.
And at the top of the same hill I saw this ladies Sports, nearly identical to the one in my garage. Note the pedals.
And today at a little thrift shop near home I found this ladies' Hercules with SA twist-grip, hub shiners, and a 65 hub date. She says she might be willing to trade it for some parts to fix other bikes she's trying to sell. Bad news for me, who most certainly has parts and needs not another bike.
Last edited by thumpism; 10-02-15 at 03:57 PM.
10-02-15, 04:02 PM
#8246
aka Tom Reingold
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I could have posted these in the Spotted In The Wild thread, but thought they'd be more appreciated here.
I saw this nifty Dunelt locked up near the foot of the Libby Hill climb at the Worlds last weekend here in town.
And at the top of the same hill I saw this ladies Sports, nearly identical to the one in my garage. Note the pedals.
And today at a little thrift shop near home I found this ladies' Hercules with SA twist-grip, hub shiners, and a 65 hub date. She says she might be willing to trade it for some parts to fix other bikes she's trying to sell. Bad news for me, who most certainly has parts and needs not another bike.
I saw this nifty Dunelt locked up near the foot of the Libby Hill climb at the Worlds last weekend here in town.
And at the top of the same hill I saw this ladies Sports, nearly identical to the one in my garage. Note the pedals.
And today at a little thrift shop near home I found this ladies' Hercules with SA twist-grip, hub shiners, and a 65 hub date. She says she might be willing to trade it for some parts to fix other bikes she's trying to sell. Bad news for me, who most certainly has parts and needs not another bike.
You could get a lot of joy if you bought that blue ladies bike, fixed it up with a trigger shifter, and sold it to a nice college student. I did that. The young women have nice senses of style, and you will find someone who just loves the way it looks.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-02-15, 04:09 PM
#8247
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Damn, dude, I'm a married man. Thirty years last week. Are you suggesting I seek joy with college women? Not a bad idea, actually, but if I get caught I'm ratting you out as the instigator. All I did was find a blue bicycle...
10-02-15, 04:11 PM
#8248
aka Tom Reingold
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You can look as long as you don't touch. I used to do that, and my wife was glad to see the joy I got from it.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-03-15, 06:07 AM
#8249
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