Show off that Randonneur; and let's discuss the bike, the gear, the sport
11-28-16, 01:33 PM
#476
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Velocity Synergy have been great for me, I've had two wheelsets with them and built one of those. Wouldn't call them light necessarily. They've been bomb-proof under my 200#+ heft over some rough terrain. Easy to build with. Pacenti also has a 650b rim that I've heard/read good things about. Other options as well.
Chainstay length seems to vary for Internationals depending on year and whatever else was going on at Raleigh. If the internet is to be trusted it seems odds are yours doesn't have the rapid taper chainstays that offer additional clearance, though that's also easy enough to check. I say go for it. Not that that matters. These are a great platform for any number of builds.
Chainstay length seems to vary for Internationals depending on year and whatever else was going on at Raleigh. If the internet is to be trusted it seems odds are yours doesn't have the rapid taper chainstays that offer additional clearance, though that's also easy enough to check. I say go for it. Not that that matters. These are a great platform for any number of builds.
Tom, just catching up with this thread. Sir_Name's International is a 71 (I used to think it was a 73 until I looked at the serial number - doh!). I have another 71 in the shop for one of our forum members, same length as Sir_Name's. Chainstay length on Internationals tracked with the rest of the industry. The newer, the shorter. I have a 73 frameset, it's about 1/2" shorter, and can't fit 42's, 38's might even be tight.
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11-28-16, 01:39 PM
#477
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Well, gugie was the previous owner and he did a good number of modifications to the frame and fork. The only mods for 650b were brazing on canti posts. The rear brake bridge was removed/moved a la Weigle, so I can't measure the original reach for center-mount brakes, but I'm guessing some long centerpulls like Raids or similar would get the job done. ~43cm rapid taper chainstays (<-not my content) allow for 42mm tires (though I still have 38s installed until they're used up a bit more). Guessing your '74 would make for a nice conversion if you can get brakes to reach, though 42s may or may not happen - 38s are great, so don't let that discourage you.
Edit: Looks like before the mods 650b worked with Dura Ace centerpulls, though I'd still measure reach to be sure.
Nice Woodrup @YoKev!
Edit: Looks like before the mods 650b worked with Dura Ace centerpulls, though I'd still measure reach to be sure.
Nice Woodrup @YoKev!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 11-28-16 at 02:13 PM.
11-28-16, 01:46 PM
#478
aka Tom Reingold
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@gugie, yes, I see the trend in the shortening of chain stays over time. A friend just got a 1971 International, and his chain stays are quite long compared to mine. So far, it's not a problem for me, but it does limit the width of rear tires for me.
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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.
11-28-16, 02:21 PM
#479
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32mm are the absolute limit on my '74 International (700c), but 650b wouldn't be much more (not 42mm)
Last edited by bulldog1935; 11-28-16 at 03:15 PM.
11-28-16, 03:05 PM
#480
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12-06-16, 04:32 PM
#481
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My 1979 MERAL "randonneur léger" , very comfortable and fast with 700 X 28 tyres...it has also a triple STRONGLIGHT 99 bis for the mountains travels.
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12-09-16, 06:13 PM
#482
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Here is my Meral. It's a little over 35 years old and I modernized the drivetrain when I restored it several years ago...I tried to equip it in the fashion that Olivier Csuka does at Singer today-use old, proven parts wherever applicable and modern ones wherever they make a difference....and French whenever possible. There is often a blurry line between the randonneuses and campers, and this one has a rather extensive amount of rackage (there is also a front lowrider rack not mounted in the photo). In any event, it handles quite well with a load on the front but it wouldn't be your choice for a criterium....On the other hand, it won't take much effort to keep it going straight 36 hours into a brevet....The photo was taken as a few friends were preparing for a nighttime full moon century ride. I always thought that I didn't have much need for anything other than a racing bike, but I have done some really cool rides on this bike that I could not have done on anything else I own....
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12-09-16, 10:09 PM
#483
Senior Member
Here is my Meral. It's a little over 35 years old and I modernized the drivetrain when I restored it several years ago...I tried to equip it in the fashion that Olivier Csuka does at Singer today-use old, proven parts wherever applicable and modern ones wherever they make a difference....and French whenever possible. There is often a blurry line between the randonneuses and campers, and this one has a rather extensive amount of rackage (there is also a front lowrider rack not mounted in the photo). In any event, it handles quite well with a load on the front but it wouldn't be your choice for a criterium....On the other hand, it won't take much effort to keep it going straight 36 hours into a brevet....The photo was taken as a few friends were preparing for a nighttime full moon century ride. I always thought that I didn't have much need for anything other than a racing bike, but I have done some really cool rides on this bike that I could not have done on anything else I own....
12-17-16, 04:23 PM
#484
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Nice upgrade !
It is a "SUPER RANDONNEUR" model.
My second MERAL, not a randonneur, but a racing one ...also very comfortable for long distance
[IMG]
[/IMG]
It is a "SUPER RANDONNEUR" model.
My second MERAL, not a randonneur, but a racing one ...also very comfortable for long distance
[IMG]
[/IMG]
12-17-16, 04:32 PM
#485
Have bike, will travel
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Beautiful!
What bags are shown?
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
12-17-16, 06:23 PM
#487
Erik the Inveigler
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In fact, when I recently did my 1972 Raleigh Super Course restoration I had your beautiful bike in mind. I hope you don't mind I was a bit of a copycat! In this case, it really was the most sincere form of flattery.
The Bags are Acorn?
Last edited by Scarbo; 12-17-16 at 06:41 PM.
12-17-16, 06:25 PM
#488
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12-19-16, 04:03 PM
#489
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Thanks EL CHABA !
Your MERAL is also very nice , is the colour an original ?
This is my third MERAL,(in fact, my sister's bicycle) a blue one with a REYNOLDS SMS frame
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Your MERAL is also very nice , is the colour an original ?
This is my third MERAL,(in fact, my sister's bicycle) a blue one with a REYNOLDS SMS frame
[IMG]
[/IMG]
12-26-16, 02:35 AM
#491
Full Member
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is one of my all-time, favorite bikes.
In fact, when I recently did my 1972 Raleigh Super Course restoration I had your beautiful bike in mind. I hope you don't mind I was a bit of a copycat! In this case, it really was the most sincere form of flattery.
The Bags are Acorn?
In fact, when I recently did my 1972 Raleigh Super Course restoration I had your beautiful bike in mind. I hope you don't mind I was a bit of a copycat! In this case, it really was the most sincere form of flattery.
The Bags are Acorn?
02-15-17, 06:13 PM
#492
Junior Member
YoKey - Just wondering about the drive train. Was that a 120mm initially? How did you get the 10 speed rear block to fit? Also wondering about the bottom bracket. I assume that was threaded for a through axle with cups and bearings? How does the Campy Centaur bb mount, if I may ask? If the answer to these is common knowledge, please excuse my ignorance. I ride and maintain 3 vintage bikes and haven't learned the newer technology. My newest road bike is from 1983. My bikes have a 6 spd ultra, and 5 speed blocks.
I may post a pic in the near future.
Thanks for any info.
I may post a pic in the near future.
Thanks for any info.
02-16-17, 10:59 PM
#495
Senior Member
I agree with gomango.
02-16-17, 11:02 PM
#496
Senior Member
I did not build it as a rando bike but I guess its sort of close- and its the prettiest bike I own so its worth a repost
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02-16-17, 11:26 PM
#497
Bike Butcher of Portland
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02-16-17, 11:30 PM
#498
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He didn't even put a Herse in there. 
02-17-17, 01:23 PM
#500
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