Touring on a Twenty
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Angus, Scotland
Bikes: Many
nope I tried a 24 X 1 3/8th" wheel in the back.
The tyre hits the bridges on the frame.
I have cut the bridges off another 20.
I got a 26 X 1.5 tyre on a 7 speed mtb wheel in there
But cant find the frame I did that too.
Maybe i threw it out.
Id cut the head stock for suspension forks on that frame.
so it sat really high.
Also you say that cheap suspension forks arent very good.
but mtbs dont need to have suspension.
The tyre hits the bridges on the frame.
I have cut the bridges off another 20.
I got a 26 X 1.5 tyre on a 7 speed mtb wheel in there
But cant find the frame I did that too.
Maybe i threw it out.
Id cut the head stock for suspension forks on that frame.
so it sat really high.
Also you say that cheap suspension forks arent very good.
but mtbs dont need to have suspension.
#52
Thread Starter
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
I agree with you though, suspension forks arent necessary, my dad still has a sweet gary fisher hardtail with a steel fork, and its a blast on the trail.Has anyone tried to hit trail with 20 in. knobblys? it would be an odd ride, but altogether potentially very fun.
#53
Thread Starter
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/660274175.html
might just be me, but that seattube looks seriously indexed. thoughts?
might just be me, but that seattube looks seriously indexed. thoughts?
#54
That seat tube does have some issues and I would make sure those issues haven't affected the seat tube but other than that... it's a snappy looking little Twenty.
On suspensions.. I was thinking of building up some high performance 451 wheels but after installed the 406 Kendas changed my mind. These roll fast, handle exceptionally well, and the ride is outstanding... and I like the look of the fatties to boot.
On suspensions.. I was thinking of building up some high performance 451 wheels but after installed the 406 Kendas changed my mind. These roll fast, handle exceptionally well, and the ride is outstanding... and I like the look of the fatties to boot.
#55
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 4
From: London UK
Bikes: 1982 Raleigh Twenty Hotrod Fixie; 1984 Peugeot Premier Fixie, 2007 Merc Lightweight folder
Looks like the perfect project bike. You weren't planning on keeping a heavy steel seatpost were you? A modern one will fit fine with a shim.
__________________
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
#57
Thread Starter
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
I have a heads up on a better deal, but im asking about this one anyway. (and hellz no, im going to try to keep it light where I can, its going to need all the weight-saving possible).
the thirty dollar panniers i picked up last weekend have got me all excited to get started. and no i cant give detials about the other deal because its awesome and ill jinx it to death.
ill probably go with a loong alu post, similar to the one on my roadie. that thing is almost a foot and a half exposed at minimum insertion, im sure i can dig up a longer one.
the thirty dollar panniers i picked up last weekend have got me all excited to get started. and no i cant give detials about the other deal because its awesome and ill jinx it to death.
ill probably go with a loong alu post, similar to the one on my roadie. that thing is almost a foot and a half exposed at minimum insertion, im sure i can dig up a longer one.
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Angus, Scotland
Bikes: Many
loads of bikes have 28.6mm seatposts these days.
a foot and a half...thats rather long
longest ive seen advertised is 400mm
some small folders have longer than that. But they are thicker.
I welded in a seat tube from a old frame into my custom Grifter.
As that was the standard size
Heres my custom grifter.

Have to get round to respraying it and finishing it.
Also heres my Raleigh wildcat. Well it was mine before it got stolen.

Its got a seat tube pushed in then clamped up.
used the seat post that came with the donor bike.
a foot and a half...thats rather long
longest ive seen advertised is 400mm
some small folders have longer than that. But they are thicker.
I welded in a seat tube from a old frame into my custom Grifter.
As that was the standard size
Heres my custom grifter.

Have to get round to respraying it and finishing it.
Also heres my Raleigh wildcat. Well it was mine before it got stolen.

Its got a seat tube pushed in then clamped up.
used the seat post that came with the donor bike.
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 2
From: Oz
Bikes: lots... even a Raleigh twenty !!!
Maybe where you live, but here in Oz the single track is very stony and littered with fallen trees and deep ruts, a 20" or 24" wheel would get swallowed very easily, therefore IMHO, suspension is vital, however, each to his own.
#62
Thread Starter
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
UPDATE:
I am typing this sitting happily of the sturdy swedish rear rack of my somewhat dull, but complete and smoolth-running Twenty folder.
It has been a rough week, I had a beloved bike stolen from me, recieved a nasty infection from a deep pedal gouge to my shin, and spent the last day wrapped in blankets with a blistering headache.
However, having scored a mint twenty for a great price, I am ready to start the preparations for a journey! Not to mention the token month of careful disassembly, cleaning, polishing, oiling/greasing, and reassembly of the entire bike, sourcing of new parts, and surrepitous testing and adjusting until it is comfortable.
It was a good fifteen kilometer ride home and I completed it in good time, with no discomfort. Immediately required is a long seatpost, that is going to be important, as I am 6'2" with long legs. The pedals will also have to go, they are rubber and flat, and slippery as all heck. Would make a great beach bike as it is now, can be ridden barefoot!
I think I will have it remain original for the city, and swap out bits and bobs for the tour. I doubt I will want to re-lace the original SA hub to a new rim, instead I will keep a weather eye out for a new SA hub or related internal gearing hub and lace that to a new rim. The chrome fenders and heavy rack are a lot of weight, so they will have to be swapped for some good plastic fenders and a lighter rack. The seatpost will likely be aluminum, which should shave a bit, and hopefully I will find something light to swap off as handlebars.
Rant over, thank you for reading! Very excited, updates will come.
I am typing this sitting happily of the sturdy swedish rear rack of my somewhat dull, but complete and smoolth-running Twenty folder.
It has been a rough week, I had a beloved bike stolen from me, recieved a nasty infection from a deep pedal gouge to my shin, and spent the last day wrapped in blankets with a blistering headache.
However, having scored a mint twenty for a great price, I am ready to start the preparations for a journey! Not to mention the token month of careful disassembly, cleaning, polishing, oiling/greasing, and reassembly of the entire bike, sourcing of new parts, and surrepitous testing and adjusting until it is comfortable.
It was a good fifteen kilometer ride home and I completed it in good time, with no discomfort. Immediately required is a long seatpost, that is going to be important, as I am 6'2" with long legs. The pedals will also have to go, they are rubber and flat, and slippery as all heck. Would make a great beach bike as it is now, can be ridden barefoot!
I think I will have it remain original for the city, and swap out bits and bobs for the tour. I doubt I will want to re-lace the original SA hub to a new rim, instead I will keep a weather eye out for a new SA hub or related internal gearing hub and lace that to a new rim. The chrome fenders and heavy rack are a lot of weight, so they will have to be swapped for some good plastic fenders and a lighter rack. The seatpost will likely be aluminum, which should shave a bit, and hopefully I will find something light to swap off as handlebars.
Rant over, thank you for reading! Very excited, updates will come.
#64
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 4
From: London UK
Bikes: 1982 Raleigh Twenty Hotrod Fixie; 1984 Peugeot Premier Fixie, 2007 Merc Lightweight folder
I look forward to hearing more of it - sounds a beaut!
The first ride is always the most fun... Words of 'what have I done' ringing around your head - just enough to counter the grin on your mush as you consider the upgrades
The first ride is always the most fun... Words of 'what have I done' ringing around your head - just enough to counter the grin on your mush as you consider the upgrades
__________________
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery





