The Return Of My Raleigh Twenty
 

My Twenty has returned from the bike shop tonight. I rode it-for the first time ever-partially home. I cannot offer photos at this time as I did not have the camera with me today. But I can list the improvements up to today that this little bike has gone through.

The bike is more like a new bike than a used one. The Bottom Bracket was removed (in front of me) and the mechanic pointed out that there was no wear at all on the threads! This bike seems to be more and more like a new bike rather than a used one. It appears that the previous owner(s) did little or no riding with the bike-just pushed it back in the recesses of a garage, shed, or similar and forgot about this bike from the 1970s until the estate sale. It was not stored perfectly as there was some rusting on one side of the bike vs. the other, and of course years of grime, but not too bad to be a major problem.

New BMX front rim & hub, plus new tire (more detailed mechanical description of filing and fitting it to the fork a bit later)

New Tires

New Bearings

Rear Wheel From the Dahon donor bike: Sturmey-Archer AW 3 speed hub, along with all the sundry parts thereof of that bike transfered over

Headset overhauled

New Kool Stop Front & Rear Continental Brake Pads

Handlebar Mounted Shifter From Dahon donor bike transfered over

Brakes were given complete new cables

Light Cleaning

Coming soon: MKS Pedals

So the bike is not quite up to a photo spread just yet. It needs to be further adjusted just like a new bike. And it handles like one too. So....it will be formally presented very soon (I want to make some new storage bags for it too).

Sounds like it is going to be a beautiful bike and am sure you will find it to be a nicer ride than the Dahon... and those bb threads should not have any noticeable wear on them.

Was working on my new Twenty tonight and had replaced the chain and rear cog and thought I should clean up the chain ring... the old rear cog looked like new and the chain ring has virtually no signs of wear. I know this bike has spent most of it's life in storage and the lady I bought it from said it was rarely ridden.

:)

What I enjoy about the R20 is its stable ride, no :eek: flexing in the head stem and the rear is as solid as a rock, again no :eek: flexing, unlike some modern brands :innocent:

All these R20 projects going on reminds me that I need to finish mine, I've got the parts, it's just a case of getting off my butt and doing it. :)

People often look at my Twenty's and can't understand why I ride them... and then I put them on my bikes and send them off around the block and they come back wanting one.

They are quick, agile, ride very well, and are simply really fun to ride.

Figure that with my hyper modified P20 and my almost stock R20 I could cover most of my riding needs... will be taking the R20 out on my Sunday shopping which usually sees me carrying at least 40 pounds of provisions.

Could hook the trailer up to the P20 if I thought I was going to buying things like sacks of rice and lentils and think with the re-gearing of the R20 it will now handle the trailer if things are relatively flat.

Am looking forward to seeing the many many pictures of the new kid on the block.

I've had my BoB Ibex trailer on the back of my R20 singlespeed, works fine.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...esthauler1.JPG

:)

R20 singlespeed. That's rightn up my alley Stevegor. What gear inches have you set it at?

Insane, man...insane. :thumb:


Stevegor ain't too bright with maths, but the R20 has 406 wheels and drivetrain is 58x14

According to the Rabbit (http://software.bareknucklebrigade.c...it.applet.html), that 77.4 gear inches. Hills must be challenging ;)

.

Wow!!! You did an awful lot of work on that R20.

Can hardly wait for the pics Folder Fanatic.

SF - I may have one of the most modded out Twentys on the planet... or will... when I am done.

Will be christening it the SB1 when it is finished in honour of another Twentyphile who inspired me and so many others to chase down these great little bikes.

Rollers are OK, but climbing seriously steep hills is a pain.