Author Topic: Getting a bike road ready:  (Read 3783 times)

DCUrbanMM

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Getting a bike road ready:
« on: October 07, 2013, 10:14:16 AM »
I recently picked up a mint condition 1980 Raleigh Reliant ten speed for the SO and I am looking to get it road ready ($20 from Craigslist).  The bike has never really been ridden - no rust and (original tires and tubes! WTF). 

The tires have basically disintegrated so they need to be replaced.  The original tires say 27 x 1 1/8 - which doesn't seem to be a real common size right now.  The original tubes are schrader valve.What do you all think of the following tire tube combination?  Also, will a 700 x 28/32 tube fit 27 1 1/8 wheels?

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchDisplay?catalogId=10052&langId=-1&storeId=10053&krypto=bpy%2FAjGzrX0TK37ao8dJeJmPj44qqHvzvGcdKRAMLnzBK%2Fw2wGFQamdvRyLc0J2y4%2BmIL0%2Fv51sz%0D%0AOdXJ%2BbaGLpHiXL8vZAKI&ddkey=https:PBSearchTermAssociationsCmd#ReviewHeader

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product2_10053_10052_175673_-1

capital

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2013, 10:32:29 AM »
Looks like a solid piece of hardware, especially for the price. 27" wheels were common on older American road bikes, and tires for them have become reasonably common with the recent boom in biking pulling a lot of old bikes out of the garage.

The tires you've posted will work just fine with the tubes you've posted. If you want to purchase the tires locally to have a bike shop confirm the sizing, commuter-oriented shops are likelier to have the parts to fix up old bikes.

If bike's current tubes tubes hold air, there's no reason not to use 30-year-old tubes-- I've used them before and they've been perfectly reliable.

DCUrbanMM

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2013, 10:55:35 AM »
Thanks ehgee.  I will check the tubes tonight.  Also, I just checked my local bike shop's website and they list the same tires at 22 per.  I think I'll be taking my business to them.  It's probably worth the $10 premium to support some cycling entrepreneurs/deal with humans.


kleiker

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2013, 11:06:26 AM »
Quote
Thanks ehgee.  I will check the tubes tonight.  Also, I just checked my local bike shop's website and they list the same tires at 22 per.  I think I'll be taking my business to them.  It's probably worth the $10 premium to support some cycling entrepreneurs/deal with humans.

Not sure what bike shop you use, but Bicycle Space next to the convention center on 7th Street absolutely loves Raleigh bikes AND they are great people. My wife just picked up a '67 Raleigh Sprite from Craigslist and in her words, "they totally geeked out over the bike."

Paul der Krake

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2013, 11:12:44 AM »
Bike co-ops are where it's at. There is one in DC:

http://www.thebikehouse.coop/

Unbelievably knowledgeable people, tons of tools and spare parts, and the opportunity to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about bikes and then some more, are what sets bike co-ops apart.

FunkyStickman

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2013, 11:25:09 AM »
Those are good tires, also Panaracer Paselas come in 27" and are good, inexpensive tires. 700C tubes might work, but they're a bit too small, and usually have Presta valves (not a deal-breaker, just FYI).

As long as the bike fits and everything works, I'd ride the snot out of it, with one exception: You probably should get some new brake pads for it. 30+ year old rubber brake pads aren't going to work well at all. I just rebuilt an '86 Raleigh, the old pads are scarily ineffective.

DCUrbanMM

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Re: Getting a bike road ready:
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2013, 04:52:23 PM »
Thanks for all the good tips.  I'll have to check out the co-op (website looks like a cool idea) and double check the brake pads.   

kleiker: I've gone to the the Bike Rack on Q street a few times but I think I might take you up on the Bicycle Space recommendation. 


 

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