What to do with Raleigh Sprite?
 

I bought this bike and it'll be shipped to me shortly. Original parts and all in working order, some pitting on the chrome. Probably needs new tires, handgrips, brake cables but that's okay. I'm probably going to repaint the frame. Are the parts worth keeping or should I replace them with new?

http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/ae/a6/555a_1.JPG



Raleigh Sprite info

Wait until you get it. Then decide.
I enjoy my Sprite also, but mine is a tad small for me.

Nice looking Sprite! Best of luck with it, whatever the plan.

It should be a good rider with just some basic repair, and honestly it really wouldn't be worth it to pour too much money into upgrades.

However, you would certainly gain by upgrading to newer cotterless cranks. A standard English-threaded BB will fit directly, and you'll save prolly 2-3 pounds by switching to even a lower-end modern crankset. New brakes prolly wouldn't hurt either, as I found the original calipers to be rather flexy, and the original levers... well... they just sucked, no two ways about it.

Other than that, though, it's a good touring bike... I had a women's version that same color, gave it to a friend of mine who was getting into riding.

Here is a pic of my $30 Sprite.
Personally, these bikes aren't worth very much, so I wouldn't spend any large amounts of cash upgrading it. Mine came with a rack which I use whenever I use it to get the mail.
Good for bombing around on though. Even if my wife won't ride with me when I'm on it!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b4...0/DSC01751.jpg

Thanks for the info. I see this old man riding a Schwinn very similar to this bike in our neighborhood every day so when I saw the Sprite for sale I thought I could use it as a quick hop-on and ride kind of bike.

Since I'm between jobs, I thought of getting an old bike and fixing it up as a project.

Here is my $15 Sprite that I accumulated this past weekend. It is getting new tires, cables, chain and a good going thru then off to a new owner.

Aaron:)
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/84...500x500Q85.jpg

I think we should have a Sprite thread.
It would be nice to see all the old Sprites.

awesome

i was riding my varsity home and passed a yard sale where an old man was selling his sprite. handed him $20 and walked home like a drunk with two hookers.

no picture to post but its the mid 70's version in a nice green

Earlier this year, I sold this 60s Sprite set up as a 3-speed with 27" wheels. The original fork was tweaked, so that's a replacement courtesy of a BF member.

Neal

Don't repaint it - those white ones ("Ivory" according to Raleigh) are rather hard to come by. A two or one year color option, if I recall right.

-Kurt

Nice Sprites, everybody.

Cudak888, is it okay to repaint the bike the same color white, if necessary? None of the Raleigh stuff I've been able to find mentioned an Ivory paint color.

I have the same White color five speed sprite, I call it my Geezer bike..... Fun and comfortable for short rides. It was dated by the seller at '69-'70 and like yours is a "Sprite 27".

Clean it up and make sure its safe, touch up any nicks in the paint and have fun with it.

Doesn't look as if it needs a repaint. White bikes will always show minor nicks worse then other colors - that's probably why it looks a little bit worse to you then usual.

Try some Meguiars Scratch-X on the paint to get the shine back. Should get it back to a condition that you will be happy with.

-Kurt

Thanks for the tip.

Greybeard, my Sprite was listed as mid-60's but those had SA hubs so you're most likely correct with the later date.

Sheldon shows the Early 60's as 10 speed machines, Mid 60's went to 5 speed SA, later returning to 5 speed derailleur. Maybe a Raleigh expert can pinpoint what years(s) labeled them as SPRITE 27 and came equipped minus the Plethcher rack.

Here's a link to Sheldons article:
http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/sprite.html

Sprites and Trents, so similar.
 

These Sprites are so similar to the Trent, and I've had my eye on one, re-listed on ebay. (didn't sell at £9.99!)
They are a basic, minimalist, classic design, in my eyes.
Aren't they?
How could you improve them significantly? (Bit like Angle-poise lamps)

I'm tempted by this one even if I have to pay postage. It's 70 awkward, cross country, miles away from me. With no motorised transport. Just bicycles.

It's all the fault of a certain BF member who has a really nice one, albeit with derailers.
The one I'm looking at is a 4 speed, and has the edge I reckon.

[URL="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=18item=2801426941218ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018E"]