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Go to http://www.parktool.com/ they have a good area of their web site devoted to doing your own work.
The Zen and The Art of Road Bike Maintance is the best repair book I’ve come across. |
Originally Posted by bentpushrod
(Post 5055354)
Hi,
Newbie here. Not quite sure where to post this, possibly clydsedale as I'm 6' and 215 lbs. Or of course the intro section. But I thought I'd start here as I have what I believe to be a '74 Raleigh Professional. I acquired the bike from a deceased uncle in the early 90's. Lately I've been thinking about starting to ride a bike. Would love to drop a few pounds, a co-worker who started riding this spring has gotten be turned on to the idea. Last night I dug out the Raleigh, I didn't have a clue about what it was, except that my uncle at one point raced bicycles. After spending all night researching the bike, here's what I have come up with. I determined it to be roughly a '74 by the A serial number and CC cutout on the bottom of the frame. It has a Colnago stem with Cinelli bars. The stem is suspended by Cambrio Rino bearings. The seat tube is a Campagnolo, with a Brooks seat. Brakes are both Campagnolo with Brev Inter markings. It has downtube mounted Campagnolo shifters. The front derailer is a Campagnolo. Rear derailer is a Suntour BL with 6 gears that are also Suntour. Front two sprockets are Campagnolo with Campagnolo pedal arms and pedals. Front hub is a Shimano. Rear hub is a Campagnolo Super (small hub not the big 5 star sheriff one). 36 spokes. Wheels are Mavic G40's and tires are 700x25. My uncle had a serious accident in '74 in a bicycle race. He cracked his skull open and was in a coma for a long time. I'm guessing this is the bike he wrecked as it has been repainted solid red, with a little CyclArt logo painted on it. But I see no frame damage. Went over the bike today. I have a shop full of tools(I build cars), but I'm going to have to buy some more. Need to get some really thin wrenches to take apart some of this stuff. :) Definitely need to service all the bearings after so many years. I found the rear has a broken axle. It broke right at the end of the threads. Also need tires, and to re-tighten the spokes on the real wheel. Anyways, how do you seasoned bicyclists feel this bicycle would be for the road? One way to my place of work is 18 miles, all flat empty highway.I know I'm not ready to jump on and do 36 miles right away. But eventually I'd like to be able to. Any tire recommondations? Can old campy axles be found easily? I know the full hubsets are kind of pricey. The cups are races look fine on mine, all I'd need is an axle. Will the Mavic's hold up to my weight? Whew, sorry for the long-winded first post. Really glad to have found this forum. Incredible place full of information. |
I just scooped one of these last week as well, small top tube ding, repainted, no pedals, and the strada cranks are probably too cracked to grind out, but for $30 I think I'll survive.
I asked in another thread, but I'll try again here since a couple people have them, where exactly is the serial number on the BB shell? The paint is going down there so I don't mind scraping some off, but I don't want to do much more than I have to for right now. |
Originally Posted by bentpushrod
(Post 5055354)
Anyways, how do you seasoned bicyclists feel this bicycle would be for the road? One way to my place of work is 18 miles, all flat empty highway.I know I'm not ready to jump on and do 36 miles right away. But eventually I'd like to be able to. Any tire recommondations? Can old campy axles be found easily? I know the full hubsets are kind of pricey. The cups are races look fine on mine, all I'd need is an axle. Will the Mavic's hold up to my weight?
Also, you can see from this thread that your various bike parts could be worth a lot on ebay to collectors, etc., so if it's the wrong size for you you should consider selling it and buying a bike that fits, or at least sell the frame and buy a different one. And since it seems from commentary on this thread that the bike has had a lot of alterations you should have no compunction parting it out. Whenever I get my hands on a nearly stock old model I can't even consider parting it out, but in your case I wouldn't feel bad. :D |
Well, I figure I better resurrect this old thread. I am the original poster, and I do still have this bike. At the time that I started this thread I was excited to start cycling, alas I lost interest, and the bike sat gathering dust.
Since '07 I've had lots of changes in my life, got married, moved a bit closer to work, and have gained more weight. I'm currently a jolly 250 pounds now. Over the years, the thought of my old Raleigh has been in the back of my mind. I've become good friends with an avid cyclist, and I have been threatening him that I may try to ride my old bike. My wife and I also have several other friends that ride bikes. My wife decided this winter that she was going to get a bike and ride once it started getting nice outside. I took my my wife to our closest bike shop, and purchased a Specialized Ruby for her. Quite a bike, full carbon, clip less pedals, etc.. My credit card was melting after I got out of the shop. Her goal is to ride in a local bike tour this summer. 60 miles the first day, 50 the second day, and 40 the last day. I committed to pulling the camper for her. If anyone is interested the tour link: Bike the Border | The "Get Away From It All" Bicycle Tour i thought, if I'm going to be at the tour, why not try to ride myself. It's a month and a half away, and the shape I'm in, and with my limited experience, truthfully It is an awfully tall order to do. I am going to try. With all of that said, yesterday I went with my experienced friend for a short four mile ride. It felt pretty good, so today I rode 10 miles, and I really surprised myself. It wasn't too bad, I really enjoyed it. I plan to ride another 10 miles tomorrow. This old bike is a lot of fun, and I surprised my friend with how fast it is. Being a novice I didn't pace myself, and started at 20 mph according to his bike computer, after the first mile I slowed considerably. I just have to learn to get in a good pace. if you are still reading my long winded post, just wanted to say thanks for all the great information here, and I'm loving my uncles old steel bike! |
My bike was hanging from the rafters of the garage in 2007 and stayed there untouched until 2011, so I know what you're experiencing, it's like discovering cycling all over again. "Welcome back." ;)
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Fully agree...welcome back...that is quite a tall order for you...but...give it a try! You cannot do anything but...improve your life! WHile you may, or may not, be able to complete the tour...trying will get you into a much better place!!!
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Good for you. 20 mph is way too fast for what you're trying to do. You need to put on miles, not speed. Try 15-ish for a while, take it slow and gradually increase your mileage. It's important that this remain fun! Good luck.
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Keep it up. Any miles are good miles and much better than nothing. Biking is a great activity in many respects and having your wife into it is a big bonus.
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Thanks for all of the encouragement. Another ten miles in yesterday, feeling good. Yes, 20 mph is too fast for me to maintain. My carbon fiber friend and I traded bikes for a couple miles. He couldn't believe how fast my old pro is.
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Bent, About a year and a half ago I was a new guy with a Raleigh Professional too. My frame was made August 1976 - who knows when the bike was first built up. I started right out with a frame up overhaul. Resolved some issues, replaced some parts, painted the TT and DT due to 'life on the trainer' type corrosion the set out on the road in April 2014. I've rolled 1100 miles on the clock since then and really like mine. Of my 4 road bikes (the Mk IV is the oldest) it's my go to bike. Out again tomorrow for the sweet glide from Oaks, PA down to Manayunk and back. D#$%^ the headwinds, full speed ahead.
Given my normal ride of 15 miles out with a tailwind and then back against the headwind I generally average 15mph. I can burst to 25mph but that's just bursts. Keep going, baby steps become little steps become big steps become metric centuries become imperial centuries become doubles. I never gets easier, you just go faster and it feels great. Enjoy that great bike and persist. Bent push rods? Nobody remembers those.......... |
You're doing good. You will run into a bunch of people who are envious of you (in a mild, socially acceptable way) for having such a sweet bike, and also for having a wife who is also doing the ride. Here's to getting a little better every ride!
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Prowler, would love to see pics of your bike. Really nice to hear how happy you are with yours as well. I have bicycle fever now. I'd love to tear mine down this winter for new paint and a few things. Keep going back and forth between original and kind of a resto mod. A black paint job with polished lugs, and brifters sounds nice, but i don't mind the down tube shifters as much as I thought I would. As fas as the bentpushrod handle goes, yep old school engines. I'm into cars, and use that handle in other forums, so it was easier for me to remember here.
Thanks Usazorro, if it wasn't for my wife I probably wouldn't be riding. I'm grateful for her, and her encouragement. |
Originally Posted by Prowler
(Post 17799339)
Bent, About a year and a half ago I was a new guy with a Raleigh Professional too. My frame was made August 1976 - who knows when the bike was first built up. I started right out with a frame up overhaul. Resolved some issues, replaced some parts, painted the TT and DT due to 'life on the trainer' type corrosion the set out on the road in April 2014. I've rolled 1100 miles on the clock since then and really like mine. Of my 4 road bikes (the Mk IV is the oldest) it's my go to bike. Out again tomorrow for the sweet glide from Oaks, PA down to Manayunk and back. D#$%^ the headwinds, full speed ahead.
Given my normal ride of 15 miles out with a tailwind and then back against the headwind I generally average 15mph. I can burst to 25mph but that's just bursts. Keep going, baby steps become little steps become big steps become metric centuries become imperial centuries become doubles. I never gets easier, you just go faster and it feels great. Enjoy that great bike and persist. Bent push rods? Nobody remembers those.......... if so wave and say hi as we pass (I will just assume anyone I see on a vintage Raleigh Professional is you) |
First time seeing this thread... glad you rediscovered your Raleigh. Don't be intimidated by the mileage for the tour. As long as you just ride at a comfortable pace for you, the miles will fall behind you and you'll find 60 isn't nearly as big as it sounds in your head right now.
(Days two and three may be unpleasant. :lol:) And yeah, you already know this, but nice bike! :) |
2 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by bentpushrod
(Post 17799446)
Prowler, would love to see pics of your bike. Really nice to hear how happy you are with yours as well.
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1431562841 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451220 Pretty neat 'bench' doncha think? And, after sitting there for a few minutes I noticed the heron tile imbedded in the ground right in front of my Raleigh. Poignant aint it? The 40 mile ride was great. The headwinds that I expecting on the return west faded away and the whole ride was very pleasant. And the Pro Mk IV ran just great. Elsewhere folks have been talking about Suntour Ultra 6 FWs with differential cog spacing - narrower between the small cogs and wider between the large cogs. I have one of those on this Pro and it works great - the Campy Pat.76 RD manages that FW beautifully. Very nice, quiet, strong transmission. Say don't you think "Campy Pat.76" would be a grand name for a well hopped dark ale? Any micro brewers out there? |
always nice to see the blue mink & silver paint scheme out on the road! I run almost all of my vintage bikes with SunTour Winners/New Winners/Winner Pro's, but with regular spacing. ...and usually the 13-24 range. I assume it just intimidates everyone else. :)
Steve K. |
Besides 'Geraldine'
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...psdb736721.jpg I have (thus far unchristened) http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...ps9hdnjkgv.jpg Nice ride, but not Geraldine! Ride your Pro, a little more each day, or perhaps more like me, a 10-mile mad-cap blast about every day. Driving part way, and riding the rest is a great way to commute. I used to do that, 30 years ago. I drove the first half, biked the second as the traffic was pretty heavy at that point and I could travel as fast, or maybe, sometimes, faster than the traffic. |
Some absolutely beautiful bicycles. Thank you for the encouragement. I have had too many lovely beers tonight. I will respond tomorrow
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Ive posted this on other treads but here it is again.
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvedopulb.jpg |
Zombi Thread
5 Attachment(s)
Zombi thread.... :eek:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451279 I've found that it doesn't take too long for most experienced cyclists to get back up tp speed. They (we) have the advantage of not being afraid of miles. I had some physical problems for a number of years (knees and hip) and hadn't done much cycling between the early 90s and 2006. At first I felt 3-4 miles was an accomplishment. Soon it was 8-10 miles. Within a year 25-50 miles was nothing. It's that confidence that we built up years ago that comes back after a few miles on the bike. :) LSD - Long Slow Distance builds up your strength quickly. ;) I have a 1975 Raleigh Pro that I got as a bare frame in 2007. I still had most of a Campy gruppo so I was chomping at the bit to get it built up and out for a ride. I didn't have a Campy BB handy so I threw on a Stronglight 93 crankset. I've never gotten around to changing it. I haven't ridden it in a few years. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451280 I have a new love, a 1985 Raleigh USA Team Pro built by the Raleigh SBDU in Ilkeston. It's all Reynold's 753 and was used as a team bike in the northwest. It has 1992 Raleigh USA Team Technium paint and decals. This is one of the smoothest riding bikes that I own. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451288 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451283 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=451284 With all of this talk of Raleigh Pros, I'm going to take some better pictures of mine and get her out on the road this weekend. verktyg :50: Chas. |
Originally Posted by verktyg
(Post 17803900)
Zombi thread.... :eek:
With all of this talk of Raleigh Pros, I'm going to take some better pictures of mine and get her out on the road this weekend. And YES, Chas, new photos of your Pro - in the wild. Thanks. |
I was going to mention the zombie status but the OP brought it back, special consideration for that....
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