Am I being logical or am I infected with C&V-itis?
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Am I being logical or am I infected with C&V-itis?
My wife is commuting to work every day on her beloved Raleigh Lady Sports that we picked up for a song on CL. It's actually quite a nice one. That's absolutely wonderful. I replaced all the rubber bits, got some alloy wheels with a new SA IGH and some Salmon Kool-Stops so it kinda really stops. I replaced the some graunchy pedals and the crank cotters. Added some baskets front and back and got her a *really* good Nite Rider Lumina 750 headlight. All well and good because she ADORES riding to work.
I have the ability to ride with her several days a week. But she likes to take things slow and easy, wear her work clothes, enjoy the view. Great way to get to work. I, on the other hand, am used to going about 5 to 10 miles an hour faster on a very standard hybrid (Trek 7.2FX.) One "solution" was to get her a modern equivalent of what she has, which she wouldn't like as much as what she has now. That doesn't sound like a good idea for anyone concerned.
Under NO circumstances have I ever suggested she ride faster or harder. No, no, no. Nope. Not going there.
So yesterday we picked up somewhat of a beater 23" Raleigh Sports (same vintage as the Lady Sports within a year) for me. That was a conscious choice so that I only have to stock Trek parts and Raleigh parts. I will be putting on a Topeak rack so I can use the same bag with the MTX mount I use on the Trek. I ordered a new handlebar mount so that I can us my little Nite Rider 250 that I bought for the Trek. My goal is to keep My Raleigh cheap and easy, and use one set of accessories for both my Raleigh and the Trek.
Having the similar bikes works on putting us on a more even speed level, and it also puts us in the same sitting orientation when riding side-by-side, so it is much easy to talk. It's also pretty darn cute riding around town like that.
Was this latest purchase an answer to the problem at hand or the beginning of a long slide into the joy and despair of old bike parts everywhere in the garage?
I have the ability to ride with her several days a week. But she likes to take things slow and easy, wear her work clothes, enjoy the view. Great way to get to work. I, on the other hand, am used to going about 5 to 10 miles an hour faster on a very standard hybrid (Trek 7.2FX.) One "solution" was to get her a modern equivalent of what she has, which she wouldn't like as much as what she has now. That doesn't sound like a good idea for anyone concerned.
Under NO circumstances have I ever suggested she ride faster or harder. No, no, no. Nope. Not going there.
So yesterday we picked up somewhat of a beater 23" Raleigh Sports (same vintage as the Lady Sports within a year) for me. That was a conscious choice so that I only have to stock Trek parts and Raleigh parts. I will be putting on a Topeak rack so I can use the same bag with the MTX mount I use on the Trek. I ordered a new handlebar mount so that I can us my little Nite Rider 250 that I bought for the Trek. My goal is to keep My Raleigh cheap and easy, and use one set of accessories for both my Raleigh and the Trek.
Having the similar bikes works on putting us on a more even speed level, and it also puts us in the same sitting orientation when riding side-by-side, so it is much easy to talk. It's also pretty darn cute riding around town like that.
Was this latest purchase an answer to the problem at hand or the beginning of a long slide into the joy and despair of old bike parts everywhere in the garage?
Last edited by tbo; 12-20-14 at 05:18 PM.
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She obviously loves her bike and enjoys a leisurely ride to work. Don't screw it up! If anything, make sure she has a good rear view mirror and a good light on the back so that she is visible to vehicles.
As for your bike, old Raleighs were built like tanks and I doubt you'll need a stash of parts. Just keep it lubed up and clean the drivetrain regularly.
BTW, alloy wheels and Kool Stops were a great idea. Only other thing that comes to mind is her saddle. Is she happy with what she has? If not, has she tried a Brooks, sprung saddle? That or VO saddles are worth a look.
As for your bike, old Raleighs were built like tanks and I doubt you'll need a stash of parts. Just keep it lubed up and clean the drivetrain regularly.
BTW, alloy wheels and Kool Stops were a great idea. Only other thing that comes to mind is her saddle. Is she happy with what she has? If not, has she tried a Brooks, sprung saddle? That or VO saddles are worth a look.
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The saddle needed replacing immediately because of the old, brittle plastic between the cover and the lateral springs. She is using a standard gel seat for now ($25) and if she ever needs/ wants the Brooks B66, it is already in her Amazon Wish List one or two clicks away.
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a bike for every purpose.
you guys sound like a tandem couple.
you guys sound like a tandem couple.
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If you want her to keep up with you, it's electric assisted bike time they way I read it.
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Hmm. I found that understanding the place in history occupied by the British 3-speed had a big effect on how i deal with the bike itself (install new brake shoes, alloy rims, new tires, tubes and rim strips, put a 22 on the rear sprocket, make sure all the bearings are in order and try not to replace anything else- you are good to go). You can do serious touring on them (you can go fast but leisure is the name of the game). Ever hear of the Lake Pepin 3-speed ride? The Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour
There are similar rides in other parts of the country.
The Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub was what made touring possible. In fact for nearly 50 years if you wanted reliable shifting with a wide gear range and low maintenance, it was the only game in town. Dérailleurs were pretty pitiful prior to WW2; never mind how collectible they might be today.
It seems odd that you would have had to replace the Sturmey Archer AW hub that came with the bike! Was it really not working?? Often they are gummed up from sitting but a generous shot of WD-40 in the oil port and a ride of a few miles often has them come right around. I've got a few of them (7 on bikes) and have had several others; I've never seen one that actually needed repair, although I have read other's comments on this board so I know it must happen. They have a reputation for reliability- don't stand up in 3rd gear though!
There are similar rides in other parts of the country.
The Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub was what made touring possible. In fact for nearly 50 years if you wanted reliable shifting with a wide gear range and low maintenance, it was the only game in town. Dérailleurs were pretty pitiful prior to WW2; never mind how collectible they might be today.
It seems odd that you would have had to replace the Sturmey Archer AW hub that came with the bike! Was it really not working?? Often they are gummed up from sitting but a generous shot of WD-40 in the oil port and a ride of a few miles often has them come right around. I've got a few of them (7 on bikes) and have had several others; I've never seen one that actually needed repair, although I have read other's comments on this board so I know it must happen. They have a reputation for reliability- don't stand up in 3rd gear though!
#10
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Maybe I missed something, but why couldn't you simply ride your original bike more slowly? She enjoys her ride. You don't enjoy going as slow as she goes. So ride slower. You didn't need another bike to achieve that, so I'm venturing to suggest that you do have a case of C & V itis. Join the club and enjoy your new bike. Most of all, though enjoy the time with your wife and your ride to work.
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No , it was just easier to get a complete alloy wheelset with the new AW rather than build the alloy rim around the existing AW. I took the steel wheels off as-is (as-are?), so that if the bike ever gets sold, it can go back to more original configuration.
Last edited by tbo; 12-20-14 at 07:34 PM.
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Maybe I missed something, but why couldn't you simply ride your original bike more slowly? She enjoys her ride. You don't enjoy going as slow as she goes. So ride slower. You didn't need another bike to achieve that, so I'm venturing to suggest that you do have a case of C & V itis. Join the club and enjoy your new bike. Most of all, though enjoy the time with your wife and your ride to work.
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Everyone has c-v-itis. They just don't know it.
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@tbo- I know what you mean. I'm a more leisurely rider & my spouse rides for exercise & speed. We have a discussion before hand when we do rides, so I will know whether we're riding together, or are we riding our own paces, then regrouping periodically.
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Buying yourself a Sports was a brilliant move. Having different bikes for different purposes is nice, but they can overlap. If you want to ride slowly but your Sports has a flat, you can still take your Trek. I prefer riding upright when riding with my wife because she is slower than I. Leaning forward and rising slowly reduces my weight from my feet, which increases pressure on my hands. My shoulders get tired.
Now please visit the thread entitled "For the love of English 3-speeds." You'll see why you did the right thing.
Now please visit the thread entitled "For the love of English 3-speeds." You'll see why you did the right thing.
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Buying yourself a Sports was a brilliant move. Having different bikes for different purposes is nice, but they can overlap. If you want to ride slowly but your Sports has a flat, you can still take your Trek. I prefer riding upright when riding with my wife because she is slower than I. Leaning forward and rising slowly reduces my weight from my feet, which increases pressure on my hands. My shoulders get tired.
Now please visit the thread entitled "For the love of English 3-speeds." You'll see why you did the right thing.
Now please visit the thread entitled "For the love of English 3-speeds." You'll see why you did the right thing.
2. Hey, if the Trek has a flat or getting its chain replaced (again), I can always use the Raleigh.
3. What convinced me was riding my wife's Lady Sport around the neighborhood when I was making repairs and adjustments. It is slower than my Trek, the frame is too small, the seat is too low and the handlebars are too close, but none of that mattered. I just instinctively understood what that bike was and *loved* how that bike rode at its own pace.
Last edited by tbo; 12-20-14 at 09:02 PM.
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Yup! If you try to ride it hard, it will punish you. But if you ride it gently, you will be unable to ride it without a grin on your face. Science has been unable to explain how the Raleigh Sports induces grins so reliably.
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Logical or sick? That would depend on you, not us, in my opinion. That said, at one time I have over 180 vintage road bicycles in my stash, 18 of which were included in my personal collection. Today, about six old road bikes remain in my possession, the rest have found new homes.
This seventies something Raleigh Sport reached me about a year ago - unridden! The old fellow, who owned the bicycle, won it in an A&W draw, back in the old days. He was a hair over five feet tall, making the Raleigh way too big for him. He donated the bicycle to Bicycles for Humanity, I was the pick-up guy and I could not resist the urge to take it out for a spin. Glad I did...
Once I finished the ride, I cleaned the dust off, took a bunch of pictures and then returned the bike to B4H. As I recall, it was sold to a collector for $100.00.
This seventies something Raleigh Sport reached me about a year ago - unridden! The old fellow, who owned the bicycle, won it in an A&W draw, back in the old days. He was a hair over five feet tall, making the Raleigh way too big for him. He donated the bicycle to Bicycles for Humanity, I was the pick-up guy and I could not resist the urge to take it out for a spin. Glad I did...
Once I finished the ride, I cleaned the dust off, took a bunch of pictures and then returned the bike to B4H. As I recall, it was sold to a collector for $100.00.
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Don't worry about anything until she suggest you start dressing alike to ride together.
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Here is the 1980 Raleigh Sports we picked up. Only things done (so far) are both brake cables, Kool-Stops, and the Topeak rack for the bag. Nowhere near as nice as my wife's but that is her one and only, while this is my secondary ride.
Here is bigger picture of the 1979 Lady Sports:
Last edited by tbo; 12-21-14 at 03:01 PM.