For the love of English 3 speeds...
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,550
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Liked 628 Times
in
235 Posts
Finally got to give the LTD-3 a better look and hosed the worst of the grime off it. Date on the AW is "77" so no more doubt about it's age. A little touch up and a coat or 2 of clear and the paint will look pretty good. I aired up the tires and with full pressure they don't look so great so new rubber is top on the list. I fiddled with the shifter and did get all 3 gears at one time or another just not in any particular order LOL but the hub felt good. Different stem and bars are a high priority as well along with a taller seat post. The original saddle is crumbling as I write, planned to replace it with a B-67 anyway. Rust on the rims is worse than I thought but I'll do what I can with them. Might be time to jump into the exciting world of home wheel building. Bottom line is that I like it and will be keeping it.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
Senior Member
This is a topic that comes up a lot at meetings of the Gentlemen Cyclists, and the Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour in particular.
The theory is that what we call "spinning" was considered undignified, unless you were racing. So the AW was geared to support a nice, slow cadence keeping reasonable speeds. Walking the bike up a hill was perfectly acceptable.
I belong to a small-but-growing group who like the 21 and 22t cogs, turning 3rd (or High) gear into our cruising gear. 2nd is for headwinds, and the robust low gear is for hills. That seems to work best for the `Tour. We are only missing out on the higher speeds going down hill, but everyone knows that that is when a gentleman rests, and lets gravity do the work.
The theory is that what we call "spinning" was considered undignified, unless you were racing. So the AW was geared to support a nice, slow cadence keeping reasonable speeds. Walking the bike up a hill was perfectly acceptable.
I belong to a small-but-growing group who like the 21 and 22t cogs, turning 3rd (or High) gear into our cruising gear. 2nd is for headwinds, and the robust low gear is for hills. That seems to work best for the `Tour. We are only missing out on the higher speeds going down hill, but everyone knows that that is when a gentleman rests, and lets gravity do the work.
Senior Member
But I love spinning.
Finally got to give the LTD-3 a better look and hosed the worst of the grime off it. Date on the AW is "77" so no more doubt about it's age. A little touch up and a coat or 2 of clear and the paint will look pretty good. I aired up the tires and with full pressure they don't look so great so new rubber is top on the list. I fiddled with the shifter and did get all 3 gears at one time or another just not in any particular order LOL but the hub felt good. Different stem and bars are a high priority as well along with a taller seat post. The original saddle is crumbling as I write, planned to replace it with a B-67 anyway. Rust on the rims is worse than I thought but I'll do what I can with them. Might be time to jump into the exciting world of home wheel building. Bottom line is that I like it and will be keeping it.
Junior Member
Raleigh also had the Colt, which has 26" wheels, and the Mountie, as smaller bikes. You could try those, too. I found a Space Rider on eBay for a not-for-the-faint-of-heart price of $595: SPACE RIDER 60 s RALEIGH BICYCLE England GIRLS BIKE One Owner SUPER DUPER COND. | eBay https://ebay.us/fGVwiZ I think those are late '70s decals, though. My daughter's paint is rough, but still I think that price is ridiculous.
I found girl's Colt in Iowa on eBay with a more reasonable price: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ral...-/123702274328
My friends at MMRB had a girl's Space Rider a few months ago; I could see if it's still there.
Where in KS are you?
I found girl's Colt in Iowa on eBay with a more reasonable price: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ral...-/123702274328
My friends at MMRB had a girl's Space Rider a few months ago; I could see if it's still there.
Where in KS are you?
Thumpism,
Thank you for the offer, but her inseam is just 24" (I just had her check...Ha!). I told her that if leg extensions were as easy as hair extensions, we'd have gotten them years ago! She gave me "that look...."
Junior Member
Finally got to give the LTD-3 a better look and hosed the worst of the grime off it. Date on the AW is "77" so no more doubt about it's age. A little touch up and a coat or 2 of clear and the paint will look pretty good. I aired up the tires and with full pressure they don't look so great so new rubber is top on the list. I fiddled with the shifter and did get all 3 gears at one time or another just not in any particular order LOL but the hub felt good. Different stem and bars are a high priority as well along with a taller seat post. The original saddle is crumbling as I write, planned to replace it with a B-67 anyway. Rust on the rims is worse than I thought but I'll do what I can with them. Might be time to jump into the exciting world of home wheel building. Bottom line is that I like it and will be keeping it.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts
These bikes are all about comfort. I think the B66/B67 saddle is a excellent choice for upright riding. Once you have the riding position where you like it, I think you'll find this bike nicer to ride than even the more expensive "townies" as they call them these days. If you do get around to swapping rims, the Sunlite CR-18 590mm alloys seem to be the most popular. For steel rims, I think there's a bit of advantage in using the more expensive Kool Stop Continental brake pads. Then, you also have the option of customizing the overall gearing to your preference with different size cogs on the AW.
It looks like this one is a perfect candidate for a nail polish touchup! My wife says I have more colors than she does. Reds are the easiest to match. I even was able to mix a deep purple and a dark gold metallic to match the Raleigh coffee (root beer) Looks like a fine rider!
I'm a fan of the CR-18 rims and already have them on my Ebay watch list, I'm pretty sure that's what I'll end up doing but the ones that are on it still function and it needs other things first. Any recommendations for gum wall tires? I'm not afraid to spend money on tires, I've had too many issues with cheap ones. Then again I've an issue or two with "good" ones........
I'm going to go through the parts stash today to see what I have I might use on this one. I'm tempted to do a drop bar conversion, I usually ride the tops or hoods on my drop bar bikes and I have a MTB with drop bars that I absolutely love. The drop bars would give me some of the forward reach I need with the smaller frame, I normally ride a 25". I have a set of Randonneur bars I really like that are looking for a new bike and I think this may just be the bike. I would mount the shifter next to the stem and even though they aren't "cool" I'd run Turkey Levers since I ride the tops most often. With good cables and pads I've found they can be very effective, even on steel rims. I have a steel rim Schwinn Varsity Deluxe with them and even with my 230 Lbs. and it's 45 Lbs. the Turkey Levers can bring it to a very quick stop from 20 MPH. Think Weinmann 999 center pull calipers would clear the fenders? I have a couple sets, one is NOS. I have sidepulls that will work but I saw a picture of a 50's Rudge with them and they looked good on it but he had ditched the fenders. Possibly because of the brakes but I think it was because they were in such bad shape.
I wasn't digging the massive rear refelector but then the idea hit me that there may be room inside it to convert it to an LED tail light. I'd make an opening in the reflector for the red light lens and put the switch on the side.
Lots of ideas, lots of spare parts and lots of time. Should be lots of fun!
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts
Honestly, your rust doesn't look all that bad. I had an all chrome fender that looked like it was ready for the trash or at least a media blaster. Took some 0 steel wool to it just to see, and quite a bit of the rust was just on the surface! So I dug out an old pocket knife that has no edge to it at all, and very lightly scraped the rust mostly off. Then finished by polishing with 0000 steel wool dry. There was definitely some pitting in the chrome, but the fender ended up looking very sharp when I got done, much to my suprise! I keep kicking myself for not taking "before" pictures, as the usual response is "that must not have been that bad." grrr. Just don't forget to put a good wax on it after you are done, or you will be amazed at how fast it will re-patina!
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
3speedslow,
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts
Senior Member
Honestly, your rust doesn't look all that bad. I had an all chrome fender that looked like it was ready for the trash or at least a media blaster. Took some 0 steel wool to it just to see, and quite a bit of the rust was just on the surface! So I dug out an old pocket knife that has no edge to it at all, and very lightly scraped the rust mostly off. Then finished by polishing with 0000 steel wool dry. There was definitely some pitting in the chrome, but the fender ended up looking very sharp when I got done, much to my suprise! I keep kicking myself for not taking "before" pictures, as the usual response is "that must not have been that bad." grrr. Just don't forget to put a good wax on it after you are done, or you will be amazed at how fast it will re-patina!
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Likes For sykerocker:
Senior Member
The reason I ask is that, back in the day, the Twenty was probably the only folder on the market that you could actually use as a real bicycle in day to day use. Incredibly better than those flexy U-frame designs that were so common back in the day. The design is still competitive with most everything made today, other than factoring in weight. Yes, they are a bit heavy, but certainly not fifty pounds. I still ride mine fairly regularly and find it competes with my Tourist and Sprite very nicely talking distances of five miles or under.
Back in the 70's, I actually sold off my ivory Sports and replaced it with a coffee Twenty because I got tired of carrying the bike up to my third floor attic (second floor apartment) every night for storage. With the Twenty, I could put it away in the closet at the top of the stairs. Only weakness I had was with a 32" inseam, I had to ride with the seat post about 1/2" above the maximum line.
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Liked 445 Times
in
288 Posts
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts
Do an oxalic acid bath in a window box planter style of tray. Dip the wheel, let it sit and every day turn it to take care of the next undipped length of rim. It'll probably take 5-6 days to do one wheel. You'll be amazed how the oxalic acid solution takes away that rust. I've done wheels way worse than what you're showing and have used the original chrome.
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
Junior Member
I'll admit I'm curious, what kind of folder?
The reason I ask is that, back in the day, the Twenty was probably the only folder on the market that you could actually use as a real bicycle in day to day use. Incredibly better than those flexy U-frame designs that were so common back in the day. The design is still competitive with most everything made today, other than factoring in weight. Yes, they are a bit heavy, but certainly not fifty pounds. I still ride mine fairly regularly and find it competes with my Tourist and Sprite very nicely talking distances of five miles or under.
The reason I ask is that, back in the day, the Twenty was probably the only folder on the market that you could actually use as a real bicycle in day to day use. Incredibly better than those flexy U-frame designs that were so common back in the day. The design is still competitive with most everything made today, other than factoring in weight. Yes, they are a bit heavy, but certainly not fifty pounds. I still ride mine fairly regularly and find it competes with my Tourist and Sprite very nicely talking distances of five miles or under.
Count Orlok Member
I went out this morning, and the folder is far enough back, and blocked enough, and I am lazy enough to not want to move a bunch of bikes in the heat, that I can't tell you which model, but her folding bike is a Dahon. She picked it up a few years ago from craigslist. I am saving up for a Tern Verge S8I. More gears than I need, but has everything else for a quick load-up into her Blazer when we can't take the truck and more traditional style bikes.
Senior Member
I have Oxalic Acid but have been reluctant to use it on assembled wheels as I wasn't sure what it would do to the plating on the spokes because most chrome wheels I've seen use Zinc plated spokes. It won't harm the Zinc plating? I had planned to use CLR, fortunatelt the large patches of rust on my rims are isolated to small sections not the entire rim.
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Senior Member
I went out this morning, and the folder is far enough back, and blocked enough, and I am lazy enough to not want to move a bunch of bikes in the heat, that I can't tell you which model, but her folding bike is a Dahon. She picked it up a few years ago from craigslist. I am saving up for a Tern Verge S8I. More gears than I need, but has everything else for a quick load-up into her Blazer when we can't take the truck and more traditional style bikes.
That said, that Dahon is definitely a "mile and a half to two mile" bike. I can't see using it in my normal "if it's under five miles, you bike" attitude for errand running like any of my three Raleighs (including the Twenty). I never cease to be amazed at how good a folder the Twenty was back in the day (the one I owned back in 73-75 was a 3x3 conversion due to AR Adams Cycle new site being on the hills of the south of Erie), it's only weaknesses being weight and limitations on how small you can get it folded. Seeing we're talking a 50 year old design, however, that's still damned impressive.
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 920
Bikes: Diamond Back Apex, Mongoose IBOC Aluminum Road Bike, SR road bike
Liked 167 Times
in
116 Posts
I've heard of folks getting a DUI while riding a bicycle. Admittedly not very often, but still, be careful out there.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,572
Bikes: 1971 Hercules, 1978 Raleigh Superbe, 1978 Raleigh Tourist, 1964 Glider 3 Speed, 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 Speed, 1968 Hercules AMF 3 Speed, 1972 Raleigh Superbe, 1976 Raleigh Superbe, 1957 Flying Pigeon, 1967 Dunelt 3 Speed
Liked 445 Times
in
288 Posts
I've got a first generation Dahon, single speed coaster brake, which actually gets used more often than my Twenty because of how small you can fold it down. I take that bike with me on certain reenactment trips, St. Augustine especially, because once I'm set up in our camp area and have all my kit unloaded, I can park the van and use the bike for the mile and a half ride into the center of town where my favorite bars are located. It's nice not to have to worry about parking the van, or risking a DUI if I make the evening a bit longer than originally planned.
That said, that Dahon is definitely a "mile and a half to two mile" bike. I can't see using it in my normal "if it's under five miles, you bike" attitude for errand running like any of my three Raleighs (including the Twenty). I never cease to be amazed at how good a folder the Twenty was back in the day (the one I owned back in 73-75 was a 3x3 conversion due to AR Adams Cycle new site being on the hills of the south of Erie), it's only weaknesses being weight and limitations on how small you can get it folded. Seeing we're talking a 50 year old design, however, that's still damned impressive.
That said, that Dahon is definitely a "mile and a half to two mile" bike. I can't see using it in my normal "if it's under five miles, you bike" attitude for errand running like any of my three Raleighs (including the Twenty). I never cease to be amazed at how good a folder the Twenty was back in the day (the one I owned back in 73-75 was a 3x3 conversion due to AR Adams Cycle new site being on the hills of the south of Erie), it's only weaknesses being weight and limitations on how small you can get it folded. Seeing we're talking a 50 year old design, however, that's still damned impressive.
I've been there several times and hope to
return.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts
Thanks, I unearthed a rusty old Roadmaster wheel a couple days ago under a pile of stuff, I'll try it first. No loss if it gets trashed, it was going to get painted for a yard art bike anyway.
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,443 Times
in
665 Posts