Originally Posted by
RoLo50312
These is exactly the type of insight I was hoping to receive. I live in Des Moines, Iowa, and do have a wonderful co-op/collective just a short distance from my office. I have visited and don’t always know what I’m looking for or looking at, but it’s like a wonderful island of misfit toys! THANKS!
Yeah the co-op downtown isn't bad. This bike will be easy to rebuild but tire size will be limited if the wheels are 27 inch. That RD can handle a much larger freewheel. If you run a 14-28 freewheel (shimano makes a decent one), you'll get better gear ratios and probably enough for any gravel roads in central IA.
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour V-GT Luxe (version 1)
Best bet are the pasela 27 x 1 and 1/4 tires. I'm running 27 x 1 and 1/4 michelin protek tires on my Sekine SHS 271. They're a little heavier than the paselas but they're a bit wider as well.
Personally I'd overhaul the bike and replace all the consumables before going crazy finding new (old) parts that you may or may not end up needing. Get a set of continental kool stop pads; they're a big help. Get a new chain and replace all the ball bearings, the cables, and the brake shoes.
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Bicycle-Brake-Pads/dp/B001HBRHJS/ref=pd_sbs_468_t_0/138-7306603-9772703?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001HBRHJS&pd_rd_r=bef26ccf-4f26-44a6-8030-54da876f9fa6&pd_rd_w=gufGY&pd_rd_wg=JfJpL&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=9RJZC0RRDG5DYX8493Z1&refRID=9RJZC0RRDG5DYX8493Z1
That water bottle cage is pretty nice; it's a TA.