Ok I'm already thinking about my next project. I want a bike to donate to our Church auction next Spring so I have a lot of time to get this one together and want to really put a lot of features that will appeal to most everyone so I think I might try one of those 8 speed Shimano Nexus hubs. I'm thinking of using a Trek 520 or something along those lines with 700X 28c tires any other suggestions on frame selection that won't break the bank are welcome. I will probably use the elkhide barwrape from Velo Orange. Other than that I think this bike should be more of a MUP around town grocery getter/ cruiser. I know thats asking a lot but. Suggestions? I know you all will have a them so help me out.

SB,

I have a 24" Super Sport frameset (not Sporty) I'll donate for the effort. It will need 27" rims, however, which I'll also throw in. I like the multi-speed hub idea. Have you priced SRAM hubs? Are you thinking of a quick, single color powder coating?

I'm feeling your spirit of generosity!

PB: Thanks for the offer I will keep it on my list of possibles. I just did check out A.E. Bike and the Srams and Shimanos aren't as pricey as long as you go with the non coaster brake variety. I wonder the reliability of each brand, is there a general feeling as to which one is the more realiable I can do the two step powder coat like I had done on the mixte for less than a hundred bucks so I think I'll probably go for that. How large is a 24 inch frame in metric sizes about a 56cm?

I'm working on a similar project. I'm using a '74 Raleigh Competition frame with an unknown but nice replacement fork.

You can order a wheelset with a red band Shimano 8 speed, DT Competition spokes and polished Sun CR-18 rims from the QBP catalog from most any bike shop.

I don't like the full length shift housing held with zip ties setup I've seen, so I'm going to use a Sturmey Archer fulcrum clip on the downtube and bare cable under the bottom bracket to a clip on the chainstay and then housing to the hub. I'm going to try to make a Shimano shifter work by using a Shiftmate because I don't like the plastic grip shifter. I think it was Neal Lerner that posted that he had some success with that setup.

It's going to have Cinelli Priest bars, Soma inverse levers, a Record crank with a Super Record ring and rubber block pedals so I can ride it barefoot at the beach.

(24 inches X 25mm)/10=60cm

(Just one little way to figure the conversion!)

Nitpick: actually, 24" is just over 61 cm (2.54 is the conversion factor)

I think that the 8-speed hubs have a fairly wide OLD, so some frame spreading would be necessary.

Does this mean I need to use a newer frame? I guess I could be on the lookout for a newer touring frame or something with a slightly sloping top tube like an earlier Specialized expedition. I don't know I'm gonna go on faith on this one not on what I think I might want but by where I'm led. gonna spend a good deal of time on the old prayer bones for direction too.

Cold setting a frame is a very simple operation if you follow Sheldon Brown's instructions to the letter. All you need is a 2X4, a piece of string and a ruler. I lay the frame on an old rug so it doesn't get scratced on the garage floor. I've cold set all of my frames to some extent, either because I want to use a later hub or just because I want to be able to slide the wheel in or out just by flipping the qr, the way it's supposed to work.

That would be the hot ticket for sure. I'm starting to think a Rivendell type bike which would appeal to a wider cross section of people. There will probably be about 3 or 4 hundred people there bidding on stuff so I think a bike that doesn't have the intimidation factor or some road bikes would go over pretty well. I'm thinking dark blue or plum with a sparkly type topcoat powdercoat

I converted a Schwinn World Voyageur to run a Nexus 8 hub. I would suggest that since you will be powder coating the bike and brand is not critical, using a mid 80's Japanese road bike frame. Steel, lugs, inexpensive and all standard sizes and threadings. Also the rear will already be spaced at 126mm. The OLD of the Nexus 8 with no coaster brake is 132mm. That distance is not to difficult to cover via cold setting.

Also there is a good desription of how to cold set on vintagetrek.com. Skip desribes using a threaded rod and some nuts and washers to spread the rear triangle. That is how I did my bike. It was easy and I could take my time. I have lots of parts I would be willing to donate so let me know if you need anything along the way.

Here are a couple of pics as it was sold on ebay. I am moving and had to pare down the fleet. Plus it was always a bet small for me.

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I tried the threaded rod method of coldsetting once and it was a disaster! There's no reasen to believe that the stays will bend equally, especially when only the drive side is crimped. I ended up using Sheldon Brown's method to realign the frame.

Very nice thats exactly the style I'm looking to build.