Single Speed help
Ok so I have very kindly been given my Dad's old Raleigh Europa 58cm, Circa 1978 . The paintwork is looking pretty messed up and the running gear is a bit dodgy (most things would after 30 years in a shed) so I would like to give it a lick of paint a single speed conversion. The brakes are good (just needs new pads) and the frame and forks are still good.
For reference it looks like this (but it worse condition!):
http://radpropaganda.org/wp-content/upl ... Record.png
I plan to use it for a general about town urban run around. As the bike was free I don't want to spend too much on it but I would be willing to throw about £150 to get it sorted.
I have a couple of questions that hopefully someone can help me with.
1. Would a 700c wheelset with a rear fixie style flip flop hub work with this frame? If not what do I need to make it single speed, it definately needs new wheels the current wheels are completely frozen solid and badly pitted.
2. What crank would I need up front / size etc. I am only used to modern external bottom brackets like Shimano Hollowtech etc so have no idea on this old stuff.
3. Would a standard set of brake pads work?
4. I plan to sand of the old paint using sandpaper and elbow grease then respray using standard spray cans, assuming I seal the paintjob with a couple of coats of clear laquer this would be fine. I am thinking post office Red ?
Sorry if these are stupid questions but I am keen to learn, I know I could just take it to the bike shop but that would be defeating the point.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
For reference it looks like this (but it worse condition!):
http://radpropaganda.org/wp-content/upl ... Record.png
I plan to use it for a general about town urban run around. As the bike was free I don't want to spend too much on it but I would be willing to throw about £150 to get it sorted.
I have a couple of questions that hopefully someone can help me with.
1. Would a 700c wheelset with a rear fixie style flip flop hub work with this frame? If not what do I need to make it single speed, it definately needs new wheels the current wheels are completely frozen solid and badly pitted.
2. What crank would I need up front / size etc. I am only used to modern external bottom brackets like Shimano Hollowtech etc so have no idea on this old stuff.
3. Would a standard set of brake pads work?
4. I plan to sand of the old paint using sandpaper and elbow grease then respray using standard spray cans, assuming I seal the paintjob with a couple of coats of clear laquer this would be fine. I am thinking post office Red ?
Sorry if these are stupid questions but I am keen to learn, I know I could just take it to the bike shop but that would be defeating the point.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Comments
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On painting:
Strip the paint with nitromors and a wire brush. A good couple of thin coats of primer, then plenty of coats of paint then loads of lacquer. Sand lightly between coats. It won't last well, but the prep means it lasts a reasonable amount of time.
Buy a pair of singlespeed wheels, a new chainring, a new shimano bottom bracket to get the chainline right with the chainring in the outside position.0 -
Re the painting: add up the costs of masking tape, paint stripper, wire brush, lacquer, paint, primer and your time and check it out against how much someone would charge to powder coat the frame (check out Triple S in Bingley or similar) - powder coat will last a lot longer, look a lot better and may actually work out as much as you were intending to spend anyway.0
