Modern Dutch chaincase with C&V Raleigh Sports/Superbe?
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Modern Dutch chaincase with C&V Raleigh Sports/Superbe?
I'm thinking about using a 1974 Raleigh Superbe as a regular commuter, which for me means it needs an enclosed chain. On other bikes, that can use 3/32" chain, I'm a big fan of the Hebie Chainglider, but I've found that it doesn't work very well with 1/8" chain, and I don't want to get into changing the BB and cranks on this one. It'd be great to find an original Raleigh chaincase, but I've given up hope there (though if you've got one, let me know).
So, I think I'll buy a current-production chaincase from the Netherlands (like one of these).
Does anybody have advice on which modern chaincase is easiest to install on / works best with a vintage Raleigh Sports/Superbe (46t chainwheel, 26" wheels)?
So, I think I'll buy a current-production chaincase from the Netherlands (like one of these).
Does anybody have advice on which modern chaincase is easiest to install on / works best with a vintage Raleigh Sports/Superbe (46t chainwheel, 26" wheels)?
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I'm thinking about using a 1974 Raleigh Superbe as a regular commuter, which for me means it needs an enclosed chain. On other bikes, that can use 3/32" chain, I'm a big fan of the Hebie Chainglider, but I've found that it doesn't work very well with 1/8" chain, and I don't want to get into changing the BB and cranks on this one. It'd be great to find an original Raleigh chaincase, but I've given up hope there (though if you've got one, let me know).
So, I think I'll buy a current-production chaincase from the Netherlands (like one of these).
Does anybody have advice on which modern chaincase is easiest to install on / works best with a vintage Raleigh Sports/Superbe (46t chainwheel, 26" wheels)?
So, I think I'll buy a current-production chaincase from the Netherlands (like one of these).
Does anybody have advice on which modern chaincase is easiest to install on / works best with a vintage Raleigh Sports/Superbe (46t chainwheel, 26" wheels)?
I have a chain guard from a 1979 Sports that I used for parts recently. It is brown in colour, and in perfect shape. I have no need for it. I think it would protect your chain reasonably well, considering how heavy the full on chaincases are.
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Thanks, Ged, but I definitely need full enclosure here. Weight is not an issue. Light-colored pants are the issue.
Last edited by brianinc-ville; 06-21-19 at 01:28 PM.
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But it's your bike and if you find one that fits, be sure to buy lotto tickets too. Good luck.
edit. I understand the need for clean pants, perhaps a custom gator that velcros around the right leg. It's bike gear and function is more important than fashio imo.
Last edited by clubman; 06-21-19 at 04:08 PM.
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I'd say don't risk it. The tolerances on enclosed guards are tight and are designed for specific chainstay lengths, angles, mounts etc. I have a 50's Hercules case that won't fit anything other than a Herc of that era. Superbes usually have a 2 point welded tab setup for stick style chainguards that would likely have to be removed. Finally, if you haven't owned one of these before, they make rear flat changes a pain in the rear.
But it's your bike and if you find one that fits, be sure to buy lotto tickets too. Good luck.
But it's your bike and if you find one that fits, be sure to buy lotto tickets too. Good luck.
Find a frame with the chaincase boss or start off with one that already has the chaincase. That's the best way when dealing with a Raleigh.
-Kurt
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There is one person in US who imports and sells fully enclosed chaincases. For Raleighs. He has a real good idea what they fit and what they won't fit. Ask him. Andy Muzi at Yellow Jersey.
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Hmm. Now I'm thinking about whether a half-enclosed chainguard like this one (i.e., the entire outside of the chain is covered, but the side toward the frame is not) would do the job. Has anybody tried to mount one on a Sports/Suberbe?
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Hmm. Now I'm thinking about whether a half-enclosed chainguard like this one (i.e., the entire outside of the chain is covered, but the side toward the frame is not) would do the job. Has anybody tried to mount one on a Sports/Suberbe?
Provided the BB mounting is a necessity (which I suspect it is), that'd also force you into the VO threadless BB and square taper cranks. The Raleigh drive side cups are flangeless, as are the Indian repops, and the Phil cups for sealed BBs in 26TPI bottom brackets.
It may be worth it if you're determined to put a chaincase on. The BB mounting works really well, even though some of the included brackets on these guards (SKS comes to mind) are a bit bendier than I'd prefer.
-Kurt
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Good point, Kurt. I'm definitely not up for changing the BB or cranks on this bike...if I were, then I'd just put a 3/32" chain on it and get a Hebie Chainglider. Hmm. There has to be some way to do this.
Y'know, it seems to me that I worked on a '70s Canadian-built Raleigh Sports a few years back, which had come from the factory with a P-shaped (German-style) chainguard; here's a kind of annoying video
featuring two of them. I can't exactly remember how it connected to the BB, but it must have had a flange. Were they using different BBs in Canada?
Y'know, it seems to me that I worked on a '70s Canadian-built Raleigh Sports a few years back, which had come from the factory with a P-shaped (German-style) chainguard; here's a kind of annoying video
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Those mount to the frame with two tabs - one on the seattube, the other on the downtube - just like the later hockey stick guards.
Pretty sure your '74 Superbe should already have these tabs. Come to think of it, if you can find a modern guard that extends inboard far enough with the right chainring diameter, you could drill it for these mounting tabs. Not sure how floppy the bottom would be though. Perhaps a reverse C-shaped backing strip could hold it all in place?
-Kurt
Pretty sure your '74 Superbe should already have these tabs. Come to think of it, if you can find a modern guard that extends inboard far enough with the right chainring diameter, you could drill it for these mounting tabs. Not sure how floppy the bottom would be though. Perhaps a reverse C-shaped backing strip could hold it all in place?
-Kurt
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I have a Hesling chaincase from dutchbikebits.com on my ANT frame. The ANT is about halfway between a Sports and a Tourist in its dimensions. I have it geared 44x18 and had to install the chainring on the "wrong" side of the flange of the crank arm. Worth noting: It's an even bigger pain to get the wheel off with this chaincase than it is with a Raleigh one.
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Nice build agmetal!
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That is an utterly sweet ride, @agmetal!
So, it sounds like the lateral position of the chainring is pretty important (and not adjustable on the Superbe, without a new BB and cranks)...oy. It's looking more and more like trouser straps are in my future.
So, it sounds like the lateral position of the chainring is pretty important (and not adjustable on the Superbe, without a new BB and cranks)...oy. It's looking more and more like trouser straps are in my future.
Last edited by brianinc-ville; 06-22-19 at 05:57 PM.
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That is an utterly sweet ride, @agmetal!
So, it sounds like the lateral position of the chainring is pretty important (and not adjustable on the Superbe, without a new BB and cranks)...oy. It's looking more and more like trouser straps are in my future.
So, it sounds like the lateral position of the chainring is pretty important (and not adjustable on the Superbe, without a new BB and cranks)...oy. It's looking more and more like trouser straps are in my future.
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Those mount to the frame with two tabs - one on the seattube, the other on the downtube - just like the later hockey stick guards.
Pretty sure your '74 Superbe should already have these tabs. Come to think of it, if you can find a modern guard that extends inboard far enough with the right chainring diameter, you could drill it for these mounting tabs. Not sure how floppy the bottom would be though. Perhaps a reverse C-shaped backing strip could hold it all in place?
-Kurt
Pretty sure your '74 Superbe should already have these tabs. Come to think of it, if you can find a modern guard that extends inboard far enough with the right chainring diameter, you could drill it for these mounting tabs. Not sure how floppy the bottom would be though. Perhaps a reverse C-shaped backing strip could hold it all in place?
-Kurt
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Concept: what if I were to get the AXA VS (seems difficult to find a German seller who'll ship to the US, but I can keep digging), attach it to the two existing mounting tabs as you say, and then attach the BB-flange-mount-bracket around the downtube with zipties, rather than behind the nonexistent flange?
However - you could take a strip of aluminum and bend it to the radius of the AXA in front in a half moon shape - then mount the factory AXA hardware to the outboard of the aluminum radius, and the inside to the two Raleigh tabs. Should be stiff enough when mounted to the two Raleigh tabs.
-Kurt
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If you've got access to an English wheel somewhere, it should be really easy.
Might as well order up the AXA guard to get things moving - then figure out where it must sit and what mounting holes need to be addressed.
-Kurt
Might as well order up the AXA guard to get things moving - then figure out where it must sit and what mounting holes need to be addressed.
-Kurt
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It'll take some patience, but it'll be worth it.
-Kurt