Hello from Anaheim CA
10-22-12, 11:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Hello from Anaheim CA
Hello, been a long time viewer of the bikeforums archives for random helpful info. I figured its time to get in the mix since i just bought my second (road) bike.
The first bike I bought was a Gitane Grand Sport, not knowing much about bikes at all at the time i bought a French bike forcing me to learn more than i had wanted to about parts and compatibility. Within 2 weeks (maybe 10 miles) of acquiring the bike my bottom bracket crumbled. After checking LBS, i eventually found a cup and bearing set (axion or action brand) online (amazon) for 18.99 plus shipping. i then went down to Walmart and picked up a Bell cable kit and Bell bartape. After installing all that I could actually shift and brake, and there was no crunchy squeak from the BB. i was quite proud of myself.
after looking for cheap small upgrades for a while i eventually picked up a donor gitane, the another Grand Sport, but i think the "deluxe" version..? it had the chrome tip forks. it had alloy wheels and weimann brakes and the pedals were in much better shape than mine. plus the simplex RD jockey wheels had not yet crumbled. (they have now lol) so i took what i wanted and thats pretty much the state the bike is in now.
my most recent acquisition is a Raleigh Competition i think '78 or 79'. it fits me better than my last bike though it is still a touch small. (im 5'7) My goal with this bike is a resto-mod. i want to keep an original look and re-use as many as the original components as possible, but i will compromise if i think the cost is to high. I will start a thread in the vintage section for thoughts and advice on this build.
The first bike I bought was a Gitane Grand Sport, not knowing much about bikes at all at the time i bought a French bike forcing me to learn more than i had wanted to about parts and compatibility. Within 2 weeks (maybe 10 miles) of acquiring the bike my bottom bracket crumbled. After checking LBS, i eventually found a cup and bearing set (axion or action brand) online (amazon) for 18.99 plus shipping. i then went down to Walmart and picked up a Bell cable kit and Bell bartape. After installing all that I could actually shift and brake, and there was no crunchy squeak from the BB. i was quite proud of myself.
after looking for cheap small upgrades for a while i eventually picked up a donor gitane, the another Grand Sport, but i think the "deluxe" version..? it had the chrome tip forks. it had alloy wheels and weimann brakes and the pedals were in much better shape than mine. plus the simplex RD jockey wheels had not yet crumbled. (they have now lol) so i took what i wanted and thats pretty much the state the bike is in now.my most recent acquisition is a Raleigh Competition i think '78 or 79'. it fits me better than my last bike though it is still a touch small. (im 5'7) My goal with this bike is a resto-mod. i want to keep an original look and re-use as many as the original components as possible, but i will compromise if i think the cost is to high. I will start a thread in the vintage section for thoughts and advice on this build.
10-22-12, 12:03 PM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
https://i678.photobucket.com/albums/v...o/IMG_3961.jpg
im still figuring out the whole picture posting deal...
im still figuring out the whole picture posting deal...
