R20 variants... the madness grows.
 

Was teaching a class on three speeds at the co-op this morning (dedicated to Sheldon Brown) and managed to get a few of the bikes together for a group shot... wish my friend who has the absolutely mint Phillip's non folder had showed up as his is a gorgeous bike.

The 1971 (green) model was in sorry shape but as it was the demo for the class was ready to be ridden home by the time the class was done and was sold to a friend who showed up for the class.

The brown one is a lovely British model (1980) that another friend owns and it is in lovely shape...

Mine barely looks like a Twenty anymore...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...oupbrown80.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...oupgreen71.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/20group4.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/20group5.JPG

We are looking to start an R20 owners group here as these bikes are just getting more and more popular... seems like someone keeps extolling the virtues of these wonderful little bikes.

We could have sold the green one a few times over as other students in the class were also quite enamored with it and everyone took it for a spin.

Having owned and raced on very nice bikes you'd think I would turn my nose up at these funny little clown bikes.
They look weird, they're old, their oddness can be very frustrating, they're heavy. :mad:
You get laughed at while riding them, you have to tinker, cuss, experiment and fail x5, you have to search for parts you think/hope/dream/pray will work. :notamused:

But once you get on the damn thing and start pedaling, you quickly remember that this is not all about being the first to the line or trying to be a pseudo TDF rider..... :innocent:
It's what cycling is meant to be all about....... FUN!!
Having the open road before you, the wind on your back and the sheer thrill of excitement beating in your chest
That's what these funny little bikes, (whatever the brand), mean to me. :love:

Well, that makes me all the more anxious to get mine going. There's some upside to buying a frame only, but there's some downside, in that you got nothing to r ride. Anyway, onward with the build.

Nice herd there SixtyFiver! What brand of tires are on that brown one those are sharp!

Aaron :)

The brown Twenty still has it's original Raleigh branded 451 whitewall tyres which are pretty much due to be replaced... it is quite different from the export 406 version as far as ride (better) and speed (faster) goes and the construction is a step up.

Upside to having a bare frame is that you can let your imagination run wild... my gold Twenty came to be as a bone stock 3 speed and now that I am able to access the right tools and parts have been brazing away to my heart's content.

You have it bead 65er

I know...I just picked up a 451 wheeled bike. It is amazing the difference in the feel between them. Currently I plan to leave the 451 bike stock, but I do have some ideas rolling around in the back of my head:eek::innocent: I don't plan to do anything that cannot be easily reversed.

Also after riding it, I am considering building up a set of 451 wheels for the other Twenty...

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/14...500x500Q85.jpg

The Foldernitis virus's symptoms are not age specific. It includes a craving everything from the 1960's to 21st century models. The R20 variant of the virus seems to be reaching a pandemic level, along with some of the other strains!

What constitutes a pandemic? I have 2 Twentys in the 406 in green, one Shopper (451) in Blue and an odd ball Columbia Commuter II in blue. All are 20" wheeled bikes, and I have my eye on another Twenty and I am still saving for a BF NWT and a Brommie M type.

Aaron :)

I have not realized how lucky I was when I purchased my own Twenty with 99% of the parts still on it-with the exception of the lamp & frame pump, not missed at all by me.

I seem to prefer the 406 tire size as it is far easier, cheaper, and far more tire type options-to upgrade them to the BMX variety. Or buy or use tires from Dahon! Either way, it is a smaller folded or separated package to store or move about (very important to me).

I think I suffering from separation anxiety more. I am sure getting impatient and antsy about my Twenty returning from the bike shop! But that tells me that this shop is very careful and meticulous about this particular Twenty's upgrade & servicing. I can wait more.

I have been pondering... my Twenty runs out pretty damn fast with it's 1.35 Comets but is set up for touring so suffers from being a little weightier and building up a 451 road model would be fun.... the larger wheel would help with the road gearing and they do make for a pretty nice ride.

But then again... I could just go and build up a frame to accept 451 wheels and this would be easier than having to do all the modifications to a stock Twenty as many hours have gone into making my little Phillip's what it is and there is still more work planned.

And unlike many, I don't care that my bike folds as it rarely has to do that.... I just love riding this bike.

My BF Pocket Crusoe came stock with the same tires and I am quite pleased with them. Pretty fast and seem to be tough SOB's as I know I've run over some hairy stuff with no ill effects (thus far!). I would love to ride them on some 451s, as the Crusoe has 406 wheels.

I have both 451 and 406 on my R20s.
The 451 is a better behaving size for fast road use, pity the tyre choice and availability is so limited.
The 406 has a more twitchy feel, but as everyone knows a far superior tyre choice.