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A Spritely Sprite (Raleigh Conversion)

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A Spritely Sprite (Raleigh Conversion)

Old 07-28-19, 03:31 PM
  #1  
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A Spritely Sprite (Raleigh Conversion)

I know, I know - but hey, I didn't hack anything off the frame or otherwise mangle it. The original parts are still with me, neatly tucked away in a bag.

I believe this is a '72 model (please correct me if this is not right). I simply took the wheelset and drivetrain from my too-tall (62cm) Bstone Kabuki conversion and threw in some new cables and my Brooks and voilà! Only a handful of neighborhood cruises so far, but I'm diggin' how it rides.







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Old 07-28-19, 05:40 PM
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That's looking sharp. Have you considered modernizing the brakes with some Tektro dual-pivots? Would be just the ticket to modernize the brake system to go along with the updated drivetrain.

Incidentally, I always detested the Huret RD & Maillard freewheel combo on these, so anything that substitutes or does away with both is an improvement in my book.

-Kurt
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Old 07-28-19, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
That's looking sharp. Have you considered modernizing the brakes with some Tektro dual-pivots? Would be just the ticket to modernize the brake system to go along with the updated drivetrain.
Thank you! I have considered this, those old steel levers and flimsy calipers do not make for very smooth or comfortable slow-downs.

Would the Tektros be the best bet for fit and affordability?

Thanks,

Lorenzo
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Old 07-28-19, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by lorenzo_de_leon
Thank you! I have considered this, those old steel levers and flimsy calipers do not make for very smooth or comfortable slow-downs.

Would the Tektros be the best bet for fit and affordability?

Thanks,

Lorenzo
You're pretty much obligated into long-reach calipers here, and nutted if you don't want to go step drilling the holes from the back (I personally can't stand this). That leaves you with the R559s, 800A's, and 900A's, all of which are nutted. Check the brake reach and choose accordingly.

The R559's are much nicer finished than the latter two, but the 800A and 900A's sometimes blend in so well with old entry-level C&V bits that it's positively eerie.



-Kurt

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Old 07-28-19, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
The R559's are much nicer finished than the latter two, but the 800A and 900A's sometimes blend in so well with old entry-level C&V bits that it's positively eerie.
Oh dang, I checked those out and your description is spot-on. I think when it comes time to pull the trigger on these it'll have to be the 559s - that extra finish is worth a few more bucks to me.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.
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Old 07-28-19, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by lorenzo_de_leon
Oh dang, I checked those out and your description is spot-on. I think when it comes time to pull the trigger on these it'll have to be the 559s - that extra finish is worth a few more bucks to me.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.
Just be sure to check the reach. I had to use the 900A on my Twenty (in front).

-Kurt
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Old 07-28-19, 08:45 PM
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Can I suggest some new Dia Compe 750 centerpulls instead? Plenty of reach, more tire clearance than the Tektros, and they brake really well. They also are a lot prettier than the Tektros and the fact that they have been made for decades gives them C&V gravitas.

As seen on my '73 Sports Tourer:

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Old 07-28-19, 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
Can I suggest some new Dia Compe 750 centerpulls instead? Plenty of reach, more tire clearance than the Tektros, and they brake really well.
Sure! I like those as well - price may be a factor though as I only have about $40 invested in this build so far. Those 750s would each be worth more than the bike!

Edit: I see now that the prices are a bit all over the place - looks like some could be had for close to the same price as the Tektros...

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Old 07-28-19, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by lorenzo_de_leon
Sure! I like those as well - price may be a factor though as I only have about $40 invested in this build so far. Those 750s would each be worth more than the bike!

Edit: I see now that the prices are a bit all over the place - looks like some could be had for close to the same price as the Tektros...
If you go this route, just make sure that the cable stop option you prefer fits the Sprite - both the seatlug ears and the headset stack height with the factory washer removed.

-Kurt
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Old 07-28-19, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
If you go this route, just make sure that the cable stop option you prefer fits the Sprite - both the seatlug ears and the headset stack height with the factory washer removed.

-Kurt
With Kurt's caveat about fit, I'd vote for QR cable hangers if you decide to go the center pull route. Maintenance and flat changes are much easier and more convenient.
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Old 08-24-19, 08:33 AM
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No brake upgrade yet but despite my initial "bare bones" approach, I decided to slap the original fenders back on and throw my Wald basket on as well - I'm diggin' it as an errand-running city bike.

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Old 08-24-19, 09:22 AM
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Nice! Load up and go have a picnic in Battleground or country park.
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Old 08-24-19, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 3speedslow
Nice! Load up and go have a picnic in Battleground or country park.
Haha! You in Gboro? I cruised by the Walker Ave. market this morning, weather is unseasonably cool today.
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Old 08-24-19, 10:09 AM
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I did up a later 70s Sprite as one of my first projects- those brakes and levers are shockingly heavier than aluminum DiaCompe brakes. This is my post from 9 years ago:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Speaking of weight-

Comparing the weight of the Raleigh brakes with the DiaCompe "Schwinn Approved" brakes... seriously, the aluminum DiaCompes are about half the weight. I was out in the garage messing with it tonite- got the grips and brake levers off the Suburban- that was a chore. I'm realizing that the Weinmann levers are substantially lighter than the Raleigh levers. As I'm looking at things and getting ready to remove the shifters from the World Sport- I thought of just using the WS stem... I can only imagine the weight difference there... Just in what I'm looking at- it's a pound or so difference, not including the stem and shifters or derailleurs.


Unfortunately, all the pix are gone.
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Old 08-24-19, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
I did up a later 70s Sprite as one of my first projects- those brakes and levers are shockingly heavier than aluminum DiaCompe brakes.
Oh yeah, they're built like old-timey military gear. I wanted to use this bike for a bit to see if it's a keeper. Now that I think it is I'll start looking into upgrades, i.e. alloy rims and new brakes / levers...
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Old 08-24-19, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by lorenzo_de_leon
No brake upgrade yet but despite my initial "bare bones" approach, I decided to slap the original fenders back on and throw my Wald basket on as well - I'm diggin' it as an errand-running city bike.
Pretty. Looks much better with fenders.

-Kurt
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Old 08-24-19, 06:18 PM
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Those old steel brakes really aren't bad, at least if you have strong hands, as some normal size men do. You just need good pads like Kool Stop.

Nice bike, and I like what you did with it.
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Old 08-24-19, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
Pretty. Looks much better with fenders.

-Kurt
Thanks! I agree, fenders are more than just a utilitarian accessory in this case.
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Old 08-24-19, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by noglider
Those old steel brakes really aren't bad, at least if you have strong hands, as some normal size men do. You just need good pads like Kool Stop.

Nice bike, and I like what you did with it.
Haha! Yeah, I heard somewhere that Chuck Norris only rides with steel levers... I mean, they're functional for sure, not the most comfortable though.
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Old 08-25-19, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by lorenzo_de_leon
Haha! You in Gboro? I cruised by the Walker Ave. market this morning, weather is unseasonably cool today.
Lived there and up in Rockingham county for many years. Rode those roads constantly! I live in Flatlandia now
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