This bicycle has been updated - Click here for the original version

This bicycle has been updated again - Click here for the newest version

Here are some updates to my mid 80's Raleigh single speed project. I added the excellent Cascadia fenders and some Nitto Rando bars and matching cloth tape. Hemp twine accents with wine corks, Riv style, round out the look. This bike is proving to be very useful for my mostly flat, exercise route. I have used it on a local group ride and some longer, more hilly, routes but I can see the benefit of a slightly lower gear and one maybe a little bit higher.

Since these photos were taken, I purchased a White Industries dual 16-19 tooth freewheel from Rivendell and a Sugino XD 300 triple crank from a local bike shop. I am using a inner 74mm bcd ring with 36 teeth and a 39 tooth 110 bcd middle ring. This seems to give me good alignment and allows a position for a chain guard on the outer ring position. This combo should give me a 51 and 65 inch gear although I have been thinking of switching to a 33 and 36 tooth for a 47 and 60 inch combination. Of course this "Double D" setup allows the axle to remain in the same position and the horizontal dropouts make chain tensioning easy. Essentially this bike works like a poor mans Quickbeam......sort of. These new parts may find a home on a steel frame eventually. While I actually like 27x1&1/4" tires I think I will re-spoked the Suzue hubs with 700 c rims or I may just buy a set of wheels . Brake reach appears to allow enough room for a conversion but I have a set of long centerpulls if necessary. I'm enjoying the simplicity of a derailleurless bicycle. I'll send some more photos when the project is complete and I have the bugs worked out.

-Charles

charles_vail@hotmail.com