Hey everyone -
So I recently posted on the WTB forum that I was looking for a steel frame to build up as a secondary/loaner bike since I was going to be replacing my mostly 105 groupset on my VeloBuild R-022 with Ultegra 6600 and I would have these parts laying around. Thankfully, fellow forum member Jaxgtr responded and offered me a Raleigh Record Ace frameset with some extra parts. Originally, I was looking for a more vintage frame to build, but I was tempted by the fact that a more modern frame would not need rear triangle spacing to fit 10-speed parts and would potentially offer greater tire clearance. So, I pulled the trigger and Jaxgtr sent me an awesomely packed box with everything we agreed on.
I let the box sit for about a week as I was busy chasing down some creaky gremlins on my VBR, which turned out to be a worn chain quick link of all things. Finally, today, I fully unpacked the Raleigh and got to work. First thing I noticed about the frame (besides how meticulously it was packed) was that despite being a modern steel frame, the lugs are still a really nice touch. I'm sure there are subtle cues that would give away that it is not a vintage frame, but to the untrained eye, it looks pretty dead-on. My second thought was: "hey, this could be an awesome gravel bike!" Where I live there are quite a few cool road rides that eventually dead-end to gravel trails. Now, many more experienced riders than me would probably be totally fine taking a road bike on 23s over the gravel, but my bike handling skills are rather pedestrian and I've found myself getting my wheel stuck in loose dirt quite a few times which always ends in me on the ground. So, in order to avoid this embarrassment in the future, I figure a gravel-ish bike could be a fun option to have when I don't want to risk it with the skinny tires (the VBR won't fit 28s safely so I'm limited to 25s). Now, similarly, given that the Record Ace is not a true gravel bike, I'm going to run into the same tire clearance issues. However, based on my research of the bike's components from when it was sold new (2011-2016 iirc), it was frequently spec'd with 28s which I think will be good enough for most of the gravel/dirt roads I'm thinking about. Now, I have ordered a pair of Continental Ride Tours in 700x28, but they won't be here until later this week. Hopefully they do fit on the frame - if not, I'll have to find another way around. I plan on running the gravel tires on an old set of Vuelta wheels that used to be on my VBR before upgrading, and keeping some 25s on a pair of Mavic Aksiums that I also bought along with the frame.
Today - I got started on building the bike. I am still missing a few parts - namely a chain and the tires - but I was able to get a good amount done. The projected parts list is below:
Frame: Raleigh Record Ace 55cm
Stem: Specialized 80mm
Bars: Bontrager 44cm
Brifters: Shimano 105 5600 10 speed
Brakes: Was originally going to run Campy Centaurs, but they don't work very well with the Shimano brifters so I've got an pair of older Ultegras on the way.
Crankset: Bontrager Race GXP Triple
Front Der.: Shimano Ultegra Triple
Rear Der.: Shimano Dura Ace Short Cage
Wheelset: Aeromax Alloy Wheelset
Pedals: Look Keo 2 Max
Cassette: Shimano 105 CS-5600 12-27
Chain: SRAM 1031
Saddle: Prologo Q Eddy Mercx Version
Tires: Continental Ride Tour 700x28c (hopefully)
As mentioned in the parts list, I did run into a snag with the brakes, but luckily I have a replacement set on the way. I went with red cable housing which I'm still not 100% sold on but for now it'll do. I was able to get the BB, cranks, FD, and RD all installed without issue today. Hopefully I can get the rest of the parts in by mid-week and get the bike out on the roads and trails soon! I figured some of you would like to follow the build process and evolution of this bike, so I'll be updating here with new pieces and my observations of the ride. Sorry in advance for the horrible image quality - my Samsung Galaxy S8 has apparently decided not to take good photos anymore... Pixel 4a is pre-ordered but not here yet.
Did I say it was packed awesomely?
Samsung Galaxy Problems
I apparently have a thing for white bikes (spot the VBR in the background)
Gotta love the retro-modern.
BB and Cranks installed.
Bontrager Race Lite - not the greatest crankset, but I had it laying aorund.
Probably overkill to go with Dura-Ace for the RD and it does limit me to a smaller cassette with the short cage, but again I had it laying around. I think I'll be ok with the triple, but this might be a point for upgrade in the future.
About as much as I got done today - still waiting on those new parts in order to finish the build.