Vintage Raleigh to single speed?
06-05-16, 02:47 PM
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Vintage Raleigh to single speed?
I have a 1986 Raleigh Super Grand Prix I would like to convert to single speed. I have some 700c rims from my newer Domane left from an upgrade. Is there a single speed freehub that will mount into the shimano type rim? Any other problems I can expect?
06-05-16, 02:54 PM
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You need to buy a single speed spacer kit, with a splined cog- something along the lines of this: Nashbar Single-Speed Kit
The spacers and one cog take the place of the existing cassette. Might take some trial and error to get your chainline straight. The chain tensioner is only for bikes with vertical dropouts- if yours has some sort of semi horizontal dropout, skip the tensioner.
Does the Taleigh also use 700c wheels?
The spacers and one cog take the place of the existing cassette. Might take some trial and error to get your chainline straight. The chain tensioner is only for bikes with vertical dropouts- if yours has some sort of semi horizontal dropout, skip the tensioner.
Does the Taleigh also use 700c wheels?
06-05-16, 02:57 PM
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06-05-16, 03:21 PM
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I'm not sure of the wheel size on the Raleigh. 27", I think.
06-05-16, 03:33 PM
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If you have not ridden single speed before I would recommend you just put the bike in a middle gear of about 70 gear inches (42 to 15) and then ride it that way for a month and see if you really like single speed bikes. I like single speed but many do not after they try it and find they have spent money and ruined a good bike. You may love it but not all do. Roger
06-05-16, 04:31 PM
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You may have problems aligning your brake pads if you substitute 700c rims for the older 27" ones. The pads will have to be lowered 4 mm so be sure you have that much adjustment range.
If you were going to build a fixed gear bike you may have been able to get away with only a front brake but with a single speed you certainly require two.
If you were going to build a fixed gear bike you may have been able to get away with only a front brake but with a single speed you certainly require two.
06-05-16, 04:31 PM
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You may need a set of long reach brake calipers, since the 700c wheels are smaller.
Rhennings suggestion above is a good one- just keep the old wheels on the bike, and use the high and low limit screws to lock the derailers to a single gear combination. Remove the shift cables. Instant single speed.
Sell your leftover Domane wheels or keep them for spares.
Rhennings suggestion above is a good one- just keep the old wheels on the bike, and use the high and low limit screws to lock the derailers to a single gear combination. Remove the shift cables. Instant single speed.
Sell your leftover Domane wheels or keep them for spares.
06-05-16, 05:48 PM
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Please do not grind off the shift lever, cable and derailleur mounting points from the frame when doing the conversion, as is often done, which will render the frame unable to be converted back to multi-speed use should you change your mind or wish to resell the bike.
06-05-16, 07:03 PM
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I have no plans to grind off the mounts. I am buying any new partss needed and plan to keep all the original parts just in case.
06-06-16, 07:37 AM
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Yes excellent point, considering the bike & its age, I would tend to sell it as, it is or keep it as it is, & then find a single speed, don't ruin a good bike.
06-06-16, 07:46 AM
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1986 might be 126 rear not 130/135. build new wheels a 120 5 speed hub will take a 1 speed freewheel , & longer axle and spacers can be Goldilocks..
