Originally Posted by
noglider
I haven't decided yet. I think I'll use a Sturmey Archer drum brake hub in the front. I might use the original AW in the rear. I also have an AB hub which is a 3-speed with a drum brake. But it's missing parts, and I have to figure out what parts to get (or make) in order to make the brake work. Should I post about that here or somewhere else? If I can think of a good way to get a good rear caliper brake on without using the AB hub, that would be nice.
Good luck rebuilding your Raleigh 20. I rebuilt one a few years ago. I brazed on pegs for cantis. These days I might use V brakes, but my limited experience with drum brakes has been such that I would not use them. What are you doing with the headset? Mine had a plastic sleeve on top. I measured carefully and had the head tube trimmed for a real headset. I also installed real dropouts front and rear and made mine a derailleur bike. I put the front derailleur on a plate extending aft to allow for the low chain line of 20” wheels. I spread the rear dropouts to 135 and use MTB hubs. The 20” wheels are 406 with aluminum rims on Deore XT hubs. I also cut the bottom bracket and installed a normal 68mm BB. Someday I may get around to painting it.
I am a Clyde and I only inflate my 20x1.5" tires to 65 psi or so (rear). At the moment I am using Greenspeed Scorcher and they are the fastest I have found.