Refreshing 30yr old Raleigh road bike

[torqueofthedevil]

I have used an old Raleigh road bike for the past 5 years with must be a good 30 years old. Want start doing more and was considering a trek 1.5 or similar. Decided I'll keep the old hog for a bit longer nut would be nice to spend a little in it just to update it and help it (me) cope with the Yorkshire hills a little better.

So...

How difficult will it be to fit new gear to it? I.e a new triple chainset, cassette and chain? What about fitting new gears?

Brakes?

Or Is it not worth it? Should I just buy a newish bike?

Cheers

[h4muf]

Or Is it not worth it? Should I just buy a newish bike?

^^^
This.

I have a 1982 Raleigh medale,it's a right nail

[anonymous-user]

keep it, you wont need to replace much other than the perishables, tubes, tyres, bar tape....

just take it all apart, clean the components and put it back together again. it will ride very well.

[darkyoung1000]

It's not difficult per se - but it is time consuming, occasionally frustrating and can be expensive. It's also massively satisfying when you finish putting it together and ride it for the first time knowing you put the hours into doing it.

The problem I've found with old steel frames is finding modern (ish) decent running gear that's compatible. Having said that, I've just transplanted a load of Campagnolo Mirage 8 speed running gear onto a old Gazelle racing frame that a friend of mine gave to be (there's a pic in the show your bike off thread) and I love it - it's my 'good' bike

Cheers,
Tom

[darkyoung1000]

P.S- If you do decide to rid yourself of it though, please let me know as depending the on the frame size I might well be interested!

Cheers,
Tom

[Rob13]

Its fair enough if you dont want the newest kit or cant afford it however when I looked into building an old MTB up (Not an expensive one), it wasnt much more expensive to buy a half decent new one.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

If it fits well and you like the look of it keep it. A new bike won't necessarily make you any quicker as shown in this article:

http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6801.full

In terms of is it easy to do the answer is yes, you just need the odd tool. If you want a step by step guide just look on youtube.com and google .... There are loads of videos from manufacturers and mechanics alike showing you how to change gears, brakes etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgnyGoKM2tM&fea...

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to...

etc etc...

[itsnotarace]

h4muf said:

I have a 1982 Raleigh medale,it's a right nail

I had one of those many years ago Until a car pulled out on me, managed to just about stop going over the bonnet but posted myself really badly on the stem

[shalmaneser]

If you want to put modern (ish) stuff on it the problem you face is that it's all intercompatible, but not backwards compatible, if you see what i mean...

you need a freehub wheel for anything more than a 8 speed rear cassette, which will require a different mech and different shifters...this will require a 8 speed chain and corresponding 8spd compatible crank...

you'd be a fool not to upgrade the brakes while you're at it, and very soon you're looking at a significant investment.

One word of advice though: Treks are hideously overpriced at the lower end of the spectrum at the moment, you'd do well to hold off and look at a Cannondale or Fuji instead.

[castex]

I've a Raleigh from 1978 to which I fitted a modern groupset and wheels. The rear triangle had to be widened to 130mm from 126 and the brake bridges needed drilling for allen bolts; other than those two simple mods it all just went on and it's made for a fab bike!

[khushy]

my 1988 Peugeot Perthus Pro (753) underwent a major rebuild etc about 3 years ago and it now runs sweetly on Campag Record 10 etc - beautiful!

khushy

[torqueofthedevil]

I think I'll take it to a good cycle store, see how well the frame really fits me and if it's right I'll get them to rebuild it, any suggestions round Yorkshire / Manchester way? Only know Harry hall in manc, not even sure if they'd do rebuild etc

[Get Karter]

Don't forget suitable period clothing:-

70s/80s Raleigh jersey
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ID=2840

Raleigh cap
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ID=2825

:-)