Originally Posted by
4st7lbs
Tony - do you think an '80s Raleigh road frame would hold up? I just bought a Cross Check, but I really want to restore a Raleigh Competition (or really any steel Raleigh) as a single speed/fixed gear.
I haven't had experience with a load of frames, just the ones I've had. The Record was Raleigh's low-end "road bike" (in quotes because the bike is 31 lbs, which makes a little hefty for what we normally think of as a road bike). It was built on their steel 3-speed frame, which was a tank made from 1020 steel tubing - . I expect it could handle 3 of me without complaining.
From what I've read, the mid-80s Raleigh Competition was built from 510SL tubing - I have no experience with it. My guess is that just about any steel frame from a reputable manufacturer would be OK, but, to be safe, I'd ask on the Bike Mechanics forum.
A SS/FG bike is a good example of one I'm going to wait until I'm lighter to fool around with - It's pretty hilly around here, and my knees are pushing 60 years old
