Thanks -- it's doing what it needs to do, every day, in all weather. Honestly, I only bought the five-speed ( X-RF5(w) ) because I spotted a good deal on eBay -- I'd been planning to go with an AW, originally. The difference isn't huge. As I've got it set up now (44x19), I don't use the top gear much. Downhills and tailwinds only. The difference between first and second gear is pretty small -- so you're basically left with something similar to an AW, plus a rarely-used heroic overdrive. If I lived in a place with bigger hills I'd probably appreciate it, but here in the flatlands an AW does just fine, and it's a lot less finicky than the X-RF5(w).

Do not anger the British Cycling Enthusiasts. They're likely to hand you over to the Spanish Inquisition. :)

DQRider could buy a brand-new Diamondback ST-8, swap out the bars for North Road bars, throw on some some fenders and add a chainguard and have a nice Shimano Nexus IGH bike for not too much money.

I agree British Cycling Enthusiasts are not likely to look favorably on modern Sports wannabes. They have their limits. :eek:

It's hard to say because the name 20-30 is a Raleigh name and not any steel industry standard that I know of. Early on, not sure of the year, Raleigh changed it's tubing name from 18-23 to 20-30. So, it was an upgrade of some sort. I'm assuming that 20-30 is lighter and stronger than the earlier Raleighs made from 18-23

(Apologies up front for any off-topic content here, but I'm trying to make a point. Please bear with me...)

You mean something like this?

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/...psmadgr8pc.png

Scott Sub-10 with Alfine-8 IGH and other mods as you describe. Love it.

This is my Nexus-8 bike:

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ig8ikyc.png

Built up from a cheap CL Gitane Gypsy Sport. This one weighs 30lbs exactly, and is a joy to ride, despite being made of hi-ten "gas pipe".

But the fact that I am building my next bike to more closely emulate the old Raleigh Lenton Lightweight 3-speed is telling. After riding my DL-1 for some distance now, I realize that too much technology detracts from the pure riding experience. Since I really don't care about riding fast, an AW with 46/24 is just about perfect. The most important thing to me is getting up every hill without standing out of the saddle.

This is the model I am using for my next winter build:

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/...psinathybr.png

It will be like coming home.

20-30 started showing up as early as '54. Can't say I've seen an 18-23 but I don't have pre 50 Raleighs

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/raleigh_sportsketch_1954.jpg

Continental has a nice "City Ride" EA3 as well. 70 psi available at Harris and many other stores.
26 x 1 3/8 inch (590 mm) Bicycle Tires from Harris Cyclery

That might be a really nice tire, but I wouldn't recommend inflating it beyond 60 psi, probably less, unless you're carrying a lot of weight. If the rider is light, use 40 psi.

Not off-topic! If you can't find a Raleigh Sports, buy or build a homage to it for yourself. Isn't that in keeping with the spirit of a classic utility bike? May not be a C&V if made of modern materials but as a tribute to the English heritage its payment rendered in full.

A pair of his-n-hers Raleigh Superbes here in Chicagoland. Price seems kind of steep to me, but I know nothing about them.

RALEIGH SUPERBE

http://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_j...Ik_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00O0O_l...Bo_600x450.jpg

^^ Large men's frame bring a little more.

What @3speedslow said. Plus BOTH bikes have the rear racks, full dynamo lighting, and Brooks B72 saddles still on them. So I would consider $625 for the pair to be fair.

Just got done a little mid afternoon jaunt! Somewhere between 6 and 10 miles (I should have probably started up Strava). What a terrific day (temps in the mid 70s when I started and lower 80s when I got back) to be out on my Sports! One of the LBS managers was diggin' the bike. Always a nice feeling.

Don't forget the pump, Adventurepdx! Shined up, those things attract dollars.

You're right about the Ladies bike. It also is nicely equipped. More often, they are a source of parts and not counted as a thing to be ridden... guilty.

Strange Tandem Folding 3 Speed
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516601http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516602http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516603

Wow. That's got to ride like a wet noodle!

My Raleigh Sports
 

Return to the 3 speed bike. My mother had one like this in the 70's except hers was brown. In the late eighties when i was big enough, i rode hers for a little bit and the other kids made fun of me because it was "old junk" while they all had their brand new bicycles from Kmart or Venture. But i liked riding it and continued to for a couple years until we moved to an apt and got rid of bikes because we had nowhere to keep them. I got this one from a local bike co-op and put some new tires on it. Love It!!!!! It is so different from my 82 Schwinn 10 speed. This is going to be my flatland grocery getter and the other will be for hills and going a little bit faster.
I enjoyed reading so many posts in this thread and have been learning a lot. Thanks.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516628http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516629

Holy cow...that's awesome.

Looks like you found a nice one. Add a rear rack and basket for utility. Be sure to have the bearings serviced - front hub, bottom bracket, and headset. Add a few drops of motor oil to the rear hub as well from time to time. Be aware that there is a right and left side to the front wheel. The adjustable side of the hub (the side with a lock nut) must be on your left.

Thank you dweenk.
I did put a rear rack and Wald folding side basket on it yesterday. Repacked the front wheel bearings with grease and oiled the hub too. Didn't know about the front wheel left to right thing. Got lucky on that one. I've never taken apart the bottom bracket or headset before. I'll do that while its raining in a couple days.

Raleigh Sprite with S5
 

Still needs a few finishing touches (grips) and maybe removal of the ultra sticky reflective tape, but for a barn find that started out covered in dust, dirt and grease it doesn't look too bad. B72 even recovered nicely.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516668

Most don't have a lock nut. Adjustable cone should go on the left.

Cute! That grip angle can't be good for you though.
What's S5? I thought five speed had two shifters?

You are correct. On the top tube there is a stick shifter with levers for both sides of the hub

Dialogue riding this bike.

CAPTAIN: "Shift into third...NOW"

STOKER: " Apply brakes...NOW!"

CAPTAIN: "Let's divorce, you keep the bike"

STOKER: "Not if it was the last one on earth"

Congrats on a super find. These are, by far my favorite of any of the Sports bikes. I love the S5 hub. I couldn't get along with the original top tube stick shifters. I changed to a standard top routed trigger and pulley system for the right side and a SunTour handlebar mounted friction shifter for the bell crank on the left. A huge improvement IMHO.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516724

This bizzare contraption is for sale on kijiji Toronto for $150.00....

That thing is astoundingly cool.

Bwahahaha. The kitchener co-op had an orange one that was similar for 80$. I took it for a ride around the parking lot and I thought it was going to fold back up and eat me. The one I rode only had a coaster brake. Amazingly enough someone bought it...

The 3 speed trigger is on the rear seat post!

There was a nice Norman for sale as well in Toronto..
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516741http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516742http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516743http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=516744