'79 Raleigh Competition G.S. build (650b..)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,715
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, '78 Raleigh Comp GS, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 770 Post(s)
Liked 1,634 Times
in
779 Posts
'79 Raleigh Competition G.S. build (650b..)
Picked up this rough '79 Comp GS in January. I've been going back and forth about what to do with it, finally decided to build it up as a 650b conversion with some parts from the bin & some parts 'borrowed' from other bikes.
Before-
Today on it's shake-down ride-
I'd like to figure out how to make the Campy GS stuff work (I love the aesthetics of the 3-arm crankset....), though I'm not sure it'll be possible. And if there's a better friction-shifting experience than Retrofriction levers moving Suntour Cyclone mechs, I've never had it! I wasn't really sure what to expect- the test ride in the rain when I bought it, with old, flabby tires, hardened grease, rusty chain, etc. didn't tell me much. But wow- it's quite nice. Quick, responsive, but also stable and comfortable. This drivetrain will have to go back to the bike it was borrowed from, so I'll have to figure out what to do here.
Before-
Today on it's shake-down ride-
I'd like to figure out how to make the Campy GS stuff work (I love the aesthetics of the 3-arm crankset....), though I'm not sure it'll be possible. And if there's a better friction-shifting experience than Retrofriction levers moving Suntour Cyclone mechs, I've never had it! I wasn't really sure what to expect- the test ride in the rain when I bought it, with old, flabby tires, hardened grease, rusty chain, etc. didn't tell me much. But wow- it's quite nice. Quick, responsive, but also stable and comfortable. This drivetrain will have to go back to the bike it was borrowed from, so I'll have to figure out what to do here.
Likes For ehcoplex:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,501
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 894 Post(s)
Liked 2,329 Times
in
1,305 Posts
I just sold mine . I only sold it because it was a bit small. My 1977 was all original and in very good condition with the original GS mech. I changed the rear derailleur after the cage came apart. I was able to repair it but the Nuovo Record worked well and I left that on the bike. It looks like your Cyclone will allow for better gearing choices , I would leave it or find an equivalent.These are very responsive and light bicycles. I had many happy miles over about 8 years . I’m not sure , other than the 650 conversion , how you got those wider tires on . I was running 700 x 23 but probably could’ve fit 25’s easily. Joe
Likes For Kabuki12:
#3
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,683
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4709 Post(s)
Liked 5,899 Times
in
2,319 Posts
That's a nice build!
Looks like you're running Gran Bois Hetres - kudos for mounting them with the label aligned with the valve stem. The Competition GS chainstays were typically a bit shorter than the Competition model. I see you've got the wheels all the way back in the dropouts. How much clearance do you have?
Looks like you're running Gran Bois Hetres - kudos for mounting them with the label aligned with the valve stem. The Competition GS chainstays were typically a bit shorter than the Competition model. I see you've got the wheels all the way back in the dropouts. How much clearance do you have?
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,715
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, '78 Raleigh Comp GS, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 770 Post(s)
Liked 1,634 Times
in
779 Posts
That's a nice build!
Looks like you're running Gran Bois Hetres - kudos for mounting them with the label aligned with the valve stem. The Competition GS chainstays were typically a bit shorter than the Competition model. I see you've got the wheels all the way back in the dropouts. How much clearance do you have?
Looks like you're running Gran Bois Hetres - kudos for mounting them with the label aligned with the valve stem. The Competition GS chainstays were typically a bit shorter than the Competition model. I see you've got the wheels all the way back in the dropouts. How much clearance do you have?
Likes For ehcoplex:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,238
Mentioned: 485 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3841 Post(s)
Liked 6,898 Times
in
2,665 Posts
Nicely done! My very first 650b conversion was a Competition GS. I ran it with Col de la vie 38mm tires (this is before Hetres appeared, iirc) and a Campy NR rear mech shifting a 32t large rear cog! I had to remove the dropout adjusters and pull the wheel as far back as it could go. I’ll dig up some pics.
Likes For nlerner:
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,715
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, '78 Raleigh Comp GS, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 770 Post(s)
Liked 1,634 Times
in
779 Posts
Nicely done! My very first 650b conversion was a Competition GS. I ran it with Col de la vie 38mm tires (this is before Hetres appeared, iirc) and a Campy NR rear mech shifting a 32t large rear cog! I had to remove the dropout adjusters and pull the wheel as far back as it could go. I’ll dig up some pics.
This drivetrain (temporarily borrowed from my Holdsworth), 46/42 x 13-32, I can just get away with in my steep and hilly terrain, though there are a couple particularly tough climbs I avoid. I've got a 49D compact double I might try, once I figure out (and find..) the right BB spindle for it, but then I lose the 1/2-step gearing I really love. I've also been oogling the Stronglight Tevano triple- a nice looking Campy knock-off that seems easier to find in a triple than an actual Campy triple... If the right rings existed for the Gran Sport three-arm crank, I'd consider drilling & tapping to make it a triple (yeah, potentially risky, I know).
#7
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,002
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1957 Post(s)
Liked 3,673 Times
in
1,684 Posts
Nice build man! Been riding my Triumph Gran Course 650b conversion lately. (Raleigh Professional sort of). Anyway, quick geometry and 650b is a hoot. Who knew 67 year old kids could have this much fun!
Likes For 52telecaster:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,238
Mentioned: 485 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3841 Post(s)
Liked 6,898 Times
in
2,665 Posts
And the whole bike:
This drivetrain (temporarily borrowed from my Holdsworth), 46/42 x 13-32, I can just get away with in my steep and hilly terrain, though there are a couple particularly tough climbs I avoid. I've got a 49D compact double I might try, once I figure out (and find..) the right BB spindle for it, but then I lose the 1/2-step gearing I really love. I've also been oogling the Stronglight Tevano triple- a nice looking Campy knock-off that seems easier to find in a triple than an actual Campy triple... If the right rings existed for the Gran Sport three-arm crank, I'd consider drilling & tapping to make it a triple (yeah, potentially risky, I know).
Likes For nlerner:
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,715
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, '78 Raleigh Comp GS, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 770 Post(s)
Liked 1,634 Times
in
779 Posts
Likes For ehcoplex: