A Spritely Sprite (Raleigh Conversion)
07-28-19 | 03:31 PM
#1
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
A Spritely Sprite (Raleigh Conversion)
I know, I know - but hey, I didn't hack anything off the frame or otherwise mangle it. The original parts are still with me, neatly tucked away in a bag.
I believe this is a '72 model (please correct me if this is not right). I simply took the wheelset and drivetrain from my too-tall (62cm) Bstone Kabuki conversion and threw in some new cables and my Brooks and voilą! Only a handful of neighborhood cruises so far, but I'm diggin' how it rides.
I believe this is a '72 model (please correct me if this is not right). I simply took the wheelset and drivetrain from my too-tall (62cm) Bstone Kabuki conversion and threw in some new cables and my Brooks and voilą! Only a handful of neighborhood cruises so far, but I'm diggin' how it rides.
Last edited by lorenzo_de_leon; 07-28-19 at 03:35 PM.
07-28-19 | 05:40 PM
#2
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That's looking sharp. Have you considered modernizing the brakes with some Tektro dual-pivots? Would be just the ticket to modernize the brake system to go along with the updated drivetrain.
Incidentally, I always detested the Huret RD & Maillard freewheel combo on these, so anything that substitutes or does away with both is an improvement in my book.
-Kurt
Incidentally, I always detested the Huret RD & Maillard freewheel combo on these, so anything that substitutes or does away with both is an improvement in my book.
-Kurt
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07-28-19 | 07:16 PM
#3
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
Would the Tektros be the best bet for fit and affordability?
Thanks,
Lorenzo
07-28-19 | 07:20 PM
#4
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The R559's are much nicer finished than the latter two, but the 800A and 900A's sometimes blend in so well with old entry-level C&V bits that it's positively eerie.
-Kurt
Last edited by cudak888; 07-28-19 at 07:24 PM.
07-28-19 | 07:46 PM
#5
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.
07-28-19 | 07:50 PM
#6
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-Kurt
07-28-19 | 08:45 PM
#7
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Can I suggest some new Dia Compe 750 centerpulls instead? Plenty of reach, more tire clearance than the Tektros, and they brake really well. They also are a lot prettier than the Tektros and the fact that they have been made for decades gives them C&V gravitas.
As seen on my '73 Sports Tourer:
As seen on my '73 Sports Tourer:
07-28-19 | 08:59 PM
#8
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
Edit: I see now that the prices are a bit all over the place - looks like some could be had for close to the same price as the Tektros...
Last edited by lorenzo_de_leon; 07-28-19 at 09:02 PM.
07-28-19 | 09:18 PM
#9
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Sure! I like those as well - price may be a factor though as I only have about $40 invested in this build so far. Those 750s would each be worth more than the bike!
Edit: I see now that the prices are a bit all over the place - looks like some could be had for close to the same price as the Tektros...
Edit: I see now that the prices are a bit all over the place - looks like some could be had for close to the same price as the Tektros...
-Kurt
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07-28-19 | 10:16 PM
#10
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With Kurt's caveat about fit, I'd vote for QR cable hangers if you decide to go the center pull route. Maintenance and flat changes are much easier and more convenient.
08-24-19 | 08:33 AM
#11
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
No brake upgrade yet but despite my initial "bare bones" approach, I decided to slap the original fenders back on and throw my Wald basket on as well - I'm diggin' it as an errand-running city bike.
08-24-19 | 10:04 AM
#13
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
08-24-19 | 10:09 AM
#14
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Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
I did up a later 70s Sprite as one of my first projects- those brakes and levers are shockingly heavier than aluminum DiaCompe brakes. This is my post from 9 years ago:
Speaking of weight-
Comparing the weight of the Raleigh brakes with the DiaCompe "Schwinn Approved" brakes... seriously, the aluminum DiaCompes are about half the weight. I was out in the garage messing with it tonite- got the grips and brake levers off the Suburban- that was a chore. I'm realizing that the Weinmann levers are substantially lighter than the Raleigh levers. As I'm looking at things and getting ready to remove the shifters from the World Sport- I thought of just using the WS stem... I can only imagine the weight difference there... Just in what I'm looking at- it's a pound or so difference, not including the stem and shifters or derailleurs.
Unfortunately, all the pix are gone.
Speaking of weight-
Comparing the weight of the Raleigh brakes with the DiaCompe "Schwinn Approved" brakes... seriously, the aluminum DiaCompes are about half the weight. I was out in the garage messing with it tonite- got the grips and brake levers off the Suburban- that was a chore. I'm realizing that the Weinmann levers are substantially lighter than the Raleigh levers. As I'm looking at things and getting ready to remove the shifters from the World Sport- I thought of just using the WS stem... I can only imagine the weight difference there... Just in what I'm looking at- it's a pound or so difference, not including the stem and shifters or derailleurs.
Unfortunately, all the pix are gone.
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Commence to jigglin huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-24-19 | 10:59 AM
#15
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
Oh yeah, they're built like old-timey military gear. I wanted to use this bike for a bit to see if it's a keeper. Now that I think it is I'll start looking into upgrades, i.e. alloy rims and new brakes / levers...
08-24-19 | 06:02 PM
#16
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-Kurt
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08-24-19 | 06:18 PM
#17
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Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Those old steel brakes really aren't bad, at least if you have strong hands, as some normal size men do. You just need good pads like Kool Stop.
Nice bike, and I like what you did with it.
Nice bike, and I like what you did with it.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
08-24-19 | 08:14 PM
#18
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
08-24-19 | 08:20 PM
#19
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: '76 B-Stone Kabuki (SS) / '90 B-Stone MB-6 (1x5) / '94 B-Stone MB-6 (with bobike seat for the boy) / '96 Kona Hahanna / Salsa Journeyman (Claris 650b...for gravel or something...)
Haha! Yeah, I heard somewhere that Chuck Norris only rides with steel levers... I mean, they're functional for sure, not the most comfortable though.
08-25-19 | 11:43 AM
#20
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