Hey Michael! I stil have the blue ross compact but I think it also needs new tires according to my dad. I had to return the hercules -very sad- i took it for a tune up and the guys wouldn't touch it because they said its not even fit to ride. it has been in a bad accident which threw off the front alignment and this is why my foot kept hitting the front tire. So I took it back to the antique dealer (i know, i shouldnt buy bikes from an antique dealer Im sure) and he said "well do you like raleighs, " and I'm like, well yes! So he brought out this scraped up 1971 brown sparkly raleigh with no tires and an awesome vintage leather brooks seat. im a sucker for aesthetics. so i said ok, i guess i'll replace the tires and tubes. i took it across the street and did that and then took it home and realized it has no working gears. What are your thoughts on this? Id love to have 3 speeds on my 3 speed. ugh jeez. is this a tough thing to do?