rudes333

Just picked this Raleigh off of craigslist today. It is already a single speed. So it looks like all I has to do is get some new tires and fix that seat. What do you all think? I am thinking of blue bar tape and blue tires. If it fits my lil sister it will be her UF campus ride.

monsieuroctagon

get fixed up with a fixxie!!! if it ain't fixed, Fix it!!

LupinIII

lol at pie plate with single speed

also keep the freewheel. slack geo and hiten frame make it much better suited to cruising around with the freewheel. imo the fixed cog makes me dash around everywhere like an ******* (actually i do that too on my multispeed bike, guess i'm not good at going a "chill" pace)

Exit.

Say no to dork discs.

iwegian

say yes to custom painted dork discs

rudes333

?? pics please?

frymaster

mmm... a 20-30 frame with a geometry slightly less slack than a recumbent. you will probably want to drop a boatload of cash on new cranks and bb (is that a cottered crank?), probably new wheels (that back one is a re-dish and probably way out of true), a new saddle (at least one that doesn't point 45 degrees up), a good cog and a new chainring.

that's a lot of coin to throw into a frame with the performance characteristics of a shopping cart.

jakerock

https://www.murraysiple.com/

frymaster

you know, i re-read my post and realize that i sound tremendously like a jerk.

it's true that fixing this up will be way money and the frame is heavy and sluggish, but it is a very pretty-looking piece of steel and if you are looking for a comfort bike or a sunday ride it will dress up very nicely.

devilshaircut

Someone on BF admitting they sounded like a jerk? Hell has frozen over. Kidding. Seriously though it wouldn't take much to get this thing rideable.

Asudef

If I'm not mistaken, isn't that a higher end Raleigh? Team and Record seem to indicate it is, but being from the 70's it probably isn't going to look spectacularly nice in comparison but it's not bad.

And what's there to "fix"? Just get a new rear wheel, possibly better brakes, new saddle, pedals and wrap and it's a solid ride after some spit shining. That frame's got a nice patina to it, don't get it powdercoated and slap on new cranks etc, second using it as a town cruiser even as SS.

frymaster

you know, i've a 70's raleigh in the garage...

hm.

devilshaircut

Also, those don't appear to be cottered cranks. I don't see any pins, and the place where the bolt appears to be is not smooth. I am not a drivetrain expert, but I've worked on old bikes with cottered cranks before, and it doesn't look like this bike would need a massive overhaul there.

frymaster

you are correct... i just made a wild leap based on the look of those cranks that they were cottered.

still... for anything more than a sunday bike, i suspect they aren't the best.

malsr

whatever you do, keep the pie plate.

jet sanchEz

No, it is a copy of a Raleigh Team Professional. The tubing is as low-end as it gets but I am sure it is fine for running errands/bar-hopping. Just put a rear brake on it.

frymaster

now that would be a frame!

mikewoodkozar

yeah, thats NOT the frame he has, but...

Why not just go over it with a fine tooth comb and ride it, that is what i would do