For the love of English 3 speeds...
09-29-15, 01:14 PM
#8201
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+2. And don't forget to consider a Raleigh Colt if one comes up. Just saw a blue, late 60s stepthrough on my local CL, so they do show up from time to time. They have 18 1/2" frames.
09-29-15, 01:28 PM
#8202
Senior Member
Yeah I have seen colts on occasion. It's weird because on some frames a 19" feels great but on other frames a 21" feels better. A friend had two identical Bridgestone T700's - a 19" & a 21". She was selling the 19" so I thought for sure I'd love it. I rode both and definitely preferred the 21" so didn't buy.
I'd love to buy. R20 with nicer paint then transfer things over.
Thank goodness you haven't voted to eject me from the fold. I'm so relieved.
I'd love to buy. R20 with nicer paint then transfer things over.
Thank goodness you haven't voted to eject me from the fold. I'm so relieved.
Last edited by Velocivixen; 09-29-15 at 02:06 PM.
09-29-15, 02:39 PM
#8203
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Not ejected, but you may be on the cusp. The Inquisition may appear at any time (no one expects the Inquisition). 
If I were in your place, I would purchase the first Raleigh I could find and give it a full rehab. It would work in your favor. Remember this - you want to avoid the "Comfy Chair".
If I were in your place, I would purchase the first Raleigh I could find and give it a full rehab. It would work in your favor. Remember this - you want to avoid the "Comfy Chair".
Last edited by dweenk; 09-29-15 at 02:48 PM.
09-29-15, 02:54 PM
#8204
Senior Member
Not ejected, but you may be on the cusp. The Inquisition may appear at any time (no one expects the Inquisition). If I were in your place, I would purchase the first Raleigh I could find and give it a full rehab. It would work in your favor. Remember this - you want to avoid the "Comfy Chair".
If I were in your place, I would purchase the first Raleigh I could find and give it a full rehab. It would work in your favor. Remember this - you want to avoid the "Comfy Chair".
09-29-15, 03:13 PM
#8205
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09-29-15, 03:16 PM
#8206
Minneapolis
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I stripped my Superbe down, mounted 700c 2-speed coaster brake wheels and went on a 30 mile "All British" group ride. Fun and surprisingly comfortable despite the narrow brooks.
09-29-15, 03:19 PM
#8207
Senior Member
09-29-15, 04:08 PM
#8208
aka Tom Reingold
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@Velocivixen, let me know if you're interested in my R20. I never finished the mods. Address below.
__________________
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“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.
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.
09-29-15, 05:24 PM
#8209
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09-29-15, 07:33 PM
#8211
Disraeli Gears
Ah, those people who weren't around, and of a sentient age, in the '70s . . . they think that the Pythons are just a bunch of grizzled old men. "No chance, English bed-wetting types. I burst my pimples at you and call your door-opening request a silly thing, you tiny-brained wipers of other people's bottoms! Yes, depart a lot at this time, and cut the approaching any more or we fire arrows at the tops of your heads and make castanets out of your testicles already! Ha ha haaa ha! And now, remain gone, illegitimate-faced bugger-folk! And, if you think you got a nasty taunting this time, you ain't heard nothing yet, dappy English k-nnniggets! Thpppt!"
09-29-15, 09:42 PM
#8212
Senior Member
@Charles Wahl - Yes, apparently I'm a bit late to the party. I'm a quick study though.
The main thing is that I still have an English 3 speed and I like it. Don't like the paint and it needs cosmetic adjustments, but it rides alright and it's not too big.
The main thing is that I still have an English 3 speed and I like it. Don't like the paint and it needs cosmetic adjustments, but it rides alright and it's not too big.
09-29-15, 10:50 PM
#8213
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No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
Monty Python stuff-hilarious.
Monty Python stuff-hilarious.
09-30-15, 05:34 AM
#8214
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09-30-15, 07:53 AM
#8215
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Thread Starter
09-30-15, 08:11 AM
#8216
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Oddly enough (for you software types), there was a now defunct Python refactoring package called Bicycle Repair Man. 
09-30-15, 10:21 AM
#8218
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10-01-15, 07:57 AM
#8220
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Opinions and thoughts, please.
Do you consider it crass to do major upgrades to an old 3-speed, instead of a faithful restoration? I'm about to tear into the '71 Raleigh I got for my wife, and while it's fairly complete, I'd like to do something to get the weight of it down, as well as improving braking, better saddle, etc. I don't intend to customize it to the degree that I did my own Raleigh, but I'd like to improve on certain things.
My own thoughts are that if it was an OLD Raleigh from the '50s or '60s, I'd endeavor to be more faithful to the original and do a proper restoration. However, I feel that a Sports from the '70s (when the general quality was starting to slip a bit) is fair game.
Do you consider it crass to do major upgrades to an old 3-speed, instead of a faithful restoration? I'm about to tear into the '71 Raleigh I got for my wife, and while it's fairly complete, I'd like to do something to get the weight of it down, as well as improving braking, better saddle, etc. I don't intend to customize it to the degree that I did my own Raleigh, but I'd like to improve on certain things.
My own thoughts are that if it was an OLD Raleigh from the '50s or '60s, I'd endeavor to be more faithful to the original and do a proper restoration. However, I feel that a Sports from the '70s (when the general quality was starting to slip a bit) is fair game.
10-01-15, 08:06 AM
#8221
Senior Member
I think you will be fine. If she likes the bike better then she would ride more. Win,win.
Sounds like those mentioned are good improvements.
Sounds like those mentioned are good improvements.
10-01-15, 11:14 AM
#8222
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Opinions and thoughts, please.
Do you consider it crass to do major upgrades to an old 3-speed, instead of a faithful restoration? I'm about to tear into the '71 Raleigh I got for my wife, and while it's fairly complete, I'd like to do something to get the weight of it down, as well as improving braking, better saddle, etc. I don't intend to customize it to the degree that I did my own Raleigh, but I'd like to improve on certain things.
My own thoughts are that if it was an OLD Raleigh from the '50s or '60s, I'd endeavor to be more faithful to the original and do a proper restoration. However, I feel that a Sports from the '70s (when the general quality was starting to slip a bit) is fair game.
Do you consider it crass to do major upgrades to an old 3-speed, instead of a faithful restoration? I'm about to tear into the '71 Raleigh I got for my wife, and while it's fairly complete, I'd like to do something to get the weight of it down, as well as improving braking, better saddle, etc. I don't intend to customize it to the degree that I did my own Raleigh, but I'd like to improve on certain things.
My own thoughts are that if it was an OLD Raleigh from the '50s or '60s, I'd endeavor to be more faithful to the original and do a proper restoration. However, I feel that a Sports from the '70s (when the general quality was starting to slip a bit) is fair game.
10-01-15, 11:28 AM
#8223
aka Tom Reingold
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@arex, whatever you do is fine. Your delineation is fine though arbitrary, but that's how it goes. I don't think you'll ever make it a light bike, and it would be expensive just to make it slightly lighter. Aluminum rims are a worthwhile investment. An aluminum crankset would reduce weight further, but it's expensive, and the weight savings would be small. You could replace the handlebar and stem for further weight reduction. You could replace the fenders with plastic ones, and that would save weight, but they won't be as reliable. You could replace the chainguard, but you'll never get one as good. Or you could remove the chainguard. I probably wouldn't do most of these things to a 3-speed except change the rims. But if you did any or all of them, I wouldn't call you crazy.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
__________________
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.
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.
10-01-15, 11:37 AM
#8224
Senior Member
I think you'll be fine. It's really whatever you can live with. If it will mean that she will ride it more, then I say give it a try. Keep original components.
10-01-15, 11:48 AM
#8225
Abuse Magnet
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@arex, whatever you do is fine. Your delineation is fine though arbitrary, but that's how it goes. I don't think you'll ever make it a light bike, and it would be expensive just to make it slightly lighter. Aluminum rims are a worthwhile investment. An aluminum crankset would reduce weight further, but it's expensive, and the weight savings would be small. You could replace the handlebar and stem for further weight reduction. You could replace the fenders with plastic ones, and that would save weight, but they won't be as reliable. You could replace the chainguard, but you'll never get one as good. Or you could remove the chainguard. I probably wouldn't do most of these things to a 3-speed except change the rims. But if you did any or all of them, I wouldn't call you crazy.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
Panaracer Col de la Vie tires are said to be really good. They may be worthwhile. I had Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on my 3-speed and found them to give a very harsh ride. I like the cheap Kendas better.
I was think about aluminum rims, stem, handlebars, and seat post, and I've already rounded up a nice B-66S for it. I think if I could knock 5 pounds or so off the weight, I'd be happy. I think it's doable.