Raleigh Gran Sport... should I?
06-16-14, 11:17 PM
#26
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I have a $270 Raleigh that I love even more than Cap'n Crunch cereal . . . .
06-17-14, 04:39 AM
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I have a 531 Raleigh from 1976 that I love more than Frosted Mini Wheats. Go for it. Great ride, great looks, great "je ne sais quoi".
Wouldn't a national C&V Raleigh gathering be awesome!!
Wouldn't a national C&V Raleigh gathering be awesome!!
06-17-14, 05:23 AM
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I have an early '73 in full '531 (with pressed dropouts) and it's ride is heavenly. I think most owners would agree a Raleigh GS is better than Coco Puffs.
I think the GB Randonneur handlebars have much to do with the feel - but for me, what most separates these bikes from everything else Raleigh built was the Carlton team colors: It is a truly distinctive and beautiful color combination.
I think the GB Randonneur handlebars have much to do with the feel - but for me, what most separates these bikes from everything else Raleigh built was the Carlton team colors: It is a truly distinctive and beautiful color combination.
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06-17-14, 06:15 AM
#29
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I never should have sold mine, but I was young and foolish. But don't leave us in suspense! Dd you snag it?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
06-17-14, 06:25 AM
#30
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hopefully saturday it will be mine, i have it on hold. i plan on picking it up, dont' worry ill take loads of pics when i get it home
06-17-14, 07:41 AM
#31
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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I didn't say quoi, did you?
No, I didn't either. Maybe it was someone else?
When I got my frame it had the GB stem (and Weinmann brakes) but no randonneur handlebar. Can't remember if iit had any handlebar at all. The stem was too long for me so it now rides on our tandem. Anyway, last year I tried an SR World Randonneur but didn't like it. Maybe it was the bar shape; other C&V'ers have said it wasn't their favorite either. But for me the problem was how it flared out the brake levers at a seemingly odd angle. Since I spend at least 50% of my time on the hoods, I swapped it back out. (Sent it to Top506 where it now lives on a nice Miyata.)
No, I didn't either. Maybe it was someone else?
When I got my frame it had the GB stem (and Weinmann brakes) but no randonneur handlebar. Can't remember if iit had any handlebar at all. The stem was too long for me so it now rides on our tandem. Anyway, last year I tried an SR World Randonneur but didn't like it. Maybe it was the bar shape; other C&V'ers have said it wasn't their favorite either. But for me the problem was how it flared out the brake levers at a seemingly odd angle. Since I spend at least 50% of my time on the hoods, I swapped it back out. (Sent it to Top506 where it now lives on a nice Miyata.)
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With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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06-23-14, 06:18 AM
#32
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The eagle has landed.. or should i say Heron?
ive already started treating some of the rust areas around the lugs, and i had some cheapy nylon tires that were brand new so i threw those on..
ive already started treating some of the rust areas around the lugs, and i had some cheapy nylon tires that were brand new so i threw those on..
06-23-14, 06:40 AM
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You're going to love the ride. Reinvest in some quality tires for it and you'll love it even more.
Golly... Just noticed someone's saddle angle is set like mine.
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06-23-14, 06:47 AM
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i haven't even messed with the saddle, im still trying to figure out if this an ideale or not, i can just make out "england" on the saddle, so im not sure if its ideal,wrights or brooks..
06-23-14, 07:43 AM
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ok, im guessing its a wrights saddle, i don't think this was stock on the frame, its in rough shape but it holds its shape still.
06-23-14, 08:15 AM
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the best part? i traded a 1990 Schwinn Mesa Runner for it.. straight trade. The schwinn didn't need a single thing done to it. its been hiding at my brothers house for the last 2 years, i loaned it to him to get him into riding. it never took hold so i got it back. I had no use for it, so off it went. Honestly the coop could make better use of the Schwinn, when they see the Gran sport they don't really equate that as a bike that has value. the hybrid mesa runner ? = $$$$
06-23-14, 09:34 AM
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I do love happy endings.
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06-23-14, 09:52 AM
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i also recovered a full Suntour Blue line group off a wrecked Motobecane, and i was thinking of replacing the simplex stuff with the suntour stuff, thoughts? i have to replace the simplex fd because the plastic is broken (no suprise) so the blueline group sounds like a good interim replacement to get it up and running while i find a more suitable replacement
06-23-14, 09:59 AM
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Yes on using BL. I am running Suntour Vx on mine - a period correct upgrade.
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06-23-14, 10:06 AM
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should i consider leaving the BL on there as a permanent solution? im not too familiar with it
06-23-14, 10:11 AM
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But don't sweat it, the BL stuff will be fine. That bike should clean up nicely.
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06-23-14, 10:21 AM
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great, any idea on what year this thing is? thanks for all the input guys
06-23-14, 10:29 AM
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The head of the tension bolt on a Brooks/Wrights is round; where it sticks out through the front of the nose piece, it looks round. Ideale (as well as other French makes, Japanese, Italian, etc, except for the ones that explicitly copying a Brooks saddle) tension bolts are flat on the sides.
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06-23-14, 10:30 AM
#46
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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FWIW, my GS has Vx front and rear. Either way, it's an upgrade you can keep.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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06-23-14, 10:32 AM
#47
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06-23-14, 10:45 AM
#48
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06-23-14, 10:56 AM
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Oh yeah. Great score. Lagoon/white Gran Sport - the Doris Day of C&V bikes.
06-23-14, 11:23 AM
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i also recovered a full Suntour Blue line group off a wrecked Motobecane, and i was thinking of replacing the simplex stuff with the suntour stuff, thoughts? i have to replace the simplex fd because the plastic is broken (no suprise) so the blueline group sounds like a good interim replacement to get it up and running while i find a more suitable replacement
Absolutely! The BL is a pretty decent group...