Raleigh Competition '79 Build
08-10-12, 11:25 AM
#1
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Raleigh Competition '79 Build
Hi all, posted this up in the Classics forum at first, but thought I'd share the love. I bought a 1979 Raleigh Competition GS frame locally and have been amassing parts to get this built up into a classic-feel fixed bike. Check out the Photo album below and let me know any thoughts on the build.
So far, I'm leaning towards getting rid of the crankset pictured and picking up a set of FSA Gimondi's, has anyone ridden these? I'm also in a split mind on fork choice. Either carbon 1" threadless, or try to find something a bit more correct with 531 tubes.
(click pic for full album)
-NcA
So far, I'm leaning towards getting rid of the crankset pictured and picking up a set of FSA Gimondi's, has anyone ridden these? I'm also in a split mind on fork choice. Either carbon 1" threadless, or try to find something a bit more correct with 531 tubes.
(click pic for full album)
-NcA
08-10-12, 11:28 AM
#2
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I don't think a carbon fork would fit the style of everything else.
08-10-12, 01:17 PM
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Hmmm, interested as long as they're not track style (skinny) track forks. Chrome would match up with the rest of the build so far nicely. Also found a carbon ritchey fork on ebay that was painted gloss black. Evidently finding decent quality 1" threadless headsets is quite a challenge.
08-10-12, 01:18 PM
#5
Your cog is slipping.
Sweet! I'm always looking for and old Raleigh to convert.
FWIW - the IRD Defiant crankset is nicer than the Gimondi. Do not put an ugly crabon fork on that bike. Ever.
FWIW - the IRD Defiant crankset is nicer than the Gimondi. Do not put an ugly crabon fork on that bike. Ever.
08-10-12, 01:56 PM
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Hahah, certainly not ugly. I also feel a bit shameful of putting any japanese steel fork on it too, seems a bit sacrilegious, seeing as the reynold sticker claims that all tubing on the bike is 531! Was looking at this guy (maybe matte down the paint a bit): https://www.ebay.com/itm/140818723870...#ht_500wt_1414
I see you're up in Beverly Scrod, I've got family up there (and lived there for a year), some good rides to be had all around.
I see you're up in Beverly Scrod, I've got family up there (and lived there for a year), some good rides to be had all around.
08-10-12, 02:03 PM
#7
Your cog is slipping.
Excellent riding around here! If you're ever in the ares, be sure to swing by the shop.
08-10-12, 02:08 PM
#8
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+1 for the Retrogression chrome fork from Scrod. I have one, they look great and you can't beat the price
08-10-12, 02:34 PM
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Oh nice, I'll be up there within the next couple weeks anyways, you're right off of Rantoul st? I'll have to stop by on a Saturday. Do you keep all things on your site in stock there?
08-10-12, 02:54 PM
#10
Your cog is slipping.
Stock changes daily and the shop is small but we try!
08-11-12, 07:57 PM
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Hmmm, interested as long as they're not track style (skinny) track forks. Chrome would match up with the rest of the build so far nicely. Also found a carbon ritchey fork on ebay that was painted gloss black. Evidently finding decent quality 1" threadless headsets is quite a challenge.
08-11-12, 09:07 PM
#12
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If it was my bike, and I was going to ride it, I would totally put a carbon threaded fork on there. I just got one for an old Schwinn Peloton (same Reynolds 531) and it looks fine. It just looks like a black fork. I got the Nashbar thing, it was like $60 and if nothing else will work until the perfect fork comes along.
I get it - my Schwinn is a different vintage, but I am not a purist so I am putting in the practical vote.
I get it - my Schwinn is a different vintage, but I am not a purist so I am putting in the practical vote.
08-11-12, 09:30 PM
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As a random question.... If I bought a threadless 1" fork, could I take it to my LBS and have them chop/thread it to fit? The bars I've got definitely fit better with a threaded headset/stem combo, but that painted black ritchey fork I linked to seems like a great pick up for the component line-up.
08-11-12, 09:38 PM
#14
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If its long enough, yes. There are caveats, but you should be good.
(edit too late - I mis-read the question. It is ill-advised to thread a threadless stem unless the steerer is steel and your threading technician is also steel, or at least has steel balls)
(edit too late - I mis-read the question. It is ill-advised to thread a threadless stem unless the steerer is steel and your threading technician is also steel, or at least has steel balls)
Last edited by Bat56; 08-11-12 at 10:17 PM.
08-11-12, 09:43 PM
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At an estimate, I'd need about 170mm of steerer for threaded and that has 200mm according to the listing. What are the caveats? Non-cabon steerer (obviously)?
08-11-12, 09:44 PM
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08-11-12, 10:09 PM
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Sorry, I did not see the link. Maybe I was not logged in? Or maybe I'm lazy.
That's a threadless stem (edit: steerer. I'm losing it). Word on the street is that it won't work for two reasons:
1. Alloy steerer is too soft to take the forces of the quill expansion wedge bolt thing.
2. If you want to add threads you need threads to start on. You can't just start threading a blank tube bc you can't get started straight.
The third caveat, should you run into this, is that you do not want too much threaded area. If you have threads where the expander wedge makes contact you have failure risk bc of weakness.
That's a threadless stem (edit: steerer. I'm losing it). Word on the street is that it won't work for two reasons:
1. Alloy steerer is too soft to take the forces of the quill expansion wedge bolt thing.
2. If you want to add threads you need threads to start on. You can't just start threading a blank tube bc you can't get started straight.
The third caveat, should you run into this, is that you do not want too much threaded area. If you have threads where the expander wedge makes contact you have failure risk bc of weakness.
Last edited by Bat56; 08-11-12 at 10:13 PM.
08-11-12, 10:12 PM
#18
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I'm an idiot fo shiz. Your question was about threadless. I should have said no. I read threaded. My bad.
As I said - you can't really thread a threadless fork.
As I said - you can't really thread a threadless fork.
08-12-12, 02:45 PM
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Haha, welp, so much for that option. Those chrome Tange forks looked alright. Still 50/50 with tainting the reynolds frame with japanese steel. Anyone know of a good place to find old 531 forks?
08-12-12, 05:16 PM
#20
Your cog is slipping.
eBay.
08-12-12, 06:07 PM
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Been looks for a few weeks now. All I can find is some dude trying to sell a 27" gold 531 fork for around $300. Might be swinging by retrogression next saturday then 
08-18-12, 03:59 PM
#22
Your cog is slipping.
It was cool meeting you today, man. That frame is even more of a beauty in person!
08-18-12, 08:34 PM
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Definitely dude! Gotta say thanks for sorting me out man, drivetrain is completely sorted out & that seatpost bolt was a proper lifesaver! Just added a new pic to the album of the bike being mocked up. Scrod, can you order in some things? PM me if you want to chat man.
-NcA
-NcA
08-19-12, 11:14 AM
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Not long left... Probably the most overdone classic Raleigh conversion to date! On another note, seems that the Continental Grand Prix Classics are completely sold out everywhere online... Anybody got any suggestions for something similar? Or spotted them anywhere for sale?
