thehammerdog

OK, so I am now the proud new owner of a 1974ish Raleigh record made in Ireland. Bike is lugged steel 5 speed 27 inch with center pulls long extra long and will work with 700'c so that is another option.
To be cheap I am just changinng out the old school narrow and heavy bars and stem to nice new stuff longer stem. Added clipless pedals and now getting new tires 1/1/4 for my graveling. Now besides the heft of the wheels I can buy new 27's built to order on line for $139.00, sheldon brown . question is do I do that or slap on 700c's? I am leaning to 700 for the increase tire options but is there any real down side to staying with the 27's? It will be a fun time gravel bike nothing more than a fun safe steed .
Dirt Kanza here I come

mstateglfr 

Benefit of new wheels-
lighter wheels
more tire width options
more tread and puncture tire options
stronger wheels
easier to remove(qr)
run more speeds


Drawbacks of new wheels-
money spent

Squeezebox

Run !! don't walk to the nearest dumpster.

thehammerdog

Because????

jon c. 

I had one in real time, but we called them 10 speeds back then. I think mine was probably 73. I really loved that bike and it served me well. I thought it was a pretty good bike at the time as it was better than anything I'd ever owned.

mstateglfr 

Ignore the troll. He is insufferable.

Mr IGH

That frame's bottom bracket shell is a proprietary Raleigh width/threading. It will be difficult to replace the original chromed cottered cranks with something more modern.

thehammerdog

I was planning on an upgrade as the crank has some heft and yes cottered, works well but flex. Is there a new BB out there what can be done if anything....bike as is must weigh 30lbs....but it is going to be mainly my graveler.

mstateglfr 

Threading/interchangeability Issues for Older Raleigh Bicycles

Assuming your bottom bracket shell is 71mm, there are some options.
- Phil Wood(absurdly expensive and nice)
- VeloOrange Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket

thehammerdog

thanks, I have a great deal of older 1990's stuff 105,dura ace , ultegra and 600 shimano wheels & cranks for the bike. Seat post is very small, heavy steel pipe type. Need to upgrade as well...for now new bars,tape,hoods,tires. Ride it for a while then pour more into it.

Mr IGH

Pick a better frame, that old Raleigh isn't a walk in the park and you'll be forced to trust a fork made in Britain when their quality was worst in class. I'd look for a Japanese vintage frame, it'll have a standard bb and headset.

$70 + shipping for a VO bottom bracket to fit a crummy frame is questionable, you could buy a nice Japanese frame for that.

I started gravel grinding on a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. As I was riding in a pack through pot holes and rumble strips I couldn't stop thinking about that fork. After a few months it was too much, I dropped $500 on a bullet-proof Taiwanese frame (Soma Saga) and transferred the parts to it. Fork weighs over a kilogram and is built in an ISO9000 factory.

thehammerdog

I tend to agree with what your saying as I thought the bike was a higher quality ride prior to doing my homework. It was a $70 craigslist special I decided to add tires and thats it....I so want to have an appropriate Graveler so this my testbike. I have my eyes on several nice disc sub 30lb bikes......Thanks for the feedback mine has a chromed fork looks nice but I rode it 1 time and the flex in the fork & brakes was MIND NUMBING

Squeezebox

Might be okay as your around town bicycle.

Richard8655

Good for you. I have (original owner) a Raleigh Gran Prix from 1980 (made in Japan). Great classic bikes as most Raleighs from that era are. My ride is pretty smooth but the frame and components are from a few years later than yours.

Kept the 27" wheels but tire selection is limited, especially if you want wider for trails and gravel paths. I think 1 1/4" is about it. Can't find any puncture proof either, but am ok so far.

thehammerdog

First ride was today about 15 miles bout 7 on gravel and I am pleased. Heavy beast but smooth, I did bring a backpck of tools as I assumed the ride would be a mess. I needed to tighten the cotterpin cranks once, adjust the seat, tighten the lug nuts on rear. Otherwise fun. Used 27 1/4 conti's smooth tread no issues. Brakes are just bad, centerpulls look cool but flexy.
Fun bike.

CarlStevens

Would be nice to see a pic, now that its done. Are you still happy with it?

We have a Super Course that we're wondering what to do with.......

thehammerdog

I love the bike. Heavy but as much fun if not more fun than my Bianchi full carbon beast....I do wish for a modern lighter version but until then very satisfied.. Thanks

Caliper

To me this would depend on the nature of your local gravel. If your local roads are more like dirt with a sprinkling of well worn-in gravel, then 27x 1 1/4 (or my favorite, Club Roost makes a 27x 1 3/8 with some nice tread) is fine. I run this a lot, but roads here are more just dirt roads than gravel. If you have looser or deep gravel, then go to 700's and see what will fit. On a 27" frame, you can often fit a 38 or 42 width tire.