d2702

Hello, friends!

Looking for input on a new project. I found a 73/74 (I think) Gran Sport for sale locally and couldn't help myself so I grabbed it.


As discovered.

Now I plan to convert it to a more upright riding position and change out some of the parts.

Derailleurs and shifters are unappealing so they're going. What would be a good replacement?

Stronglight crank and chainring - staying (I think)

Stronglight bottom bracket - worth keeping? It looks like its in good shape. Should I clean it and reinstall or is better to replace?

Handlebars and shifters - gone. I'm thinking about something like the Granola bar from VO. Anyone opinions on those?

Weinmann 750 brakes - safe? better to replace? I'd rather not be maimed in the name of period correctness.

Seatpost (can't tell what it is but the clamp is Ideale) - worth keeping?

GB quill stem - like the look of it, I'd like to keep it, if it fits with the new handlebars


Pictures below:

branko_76 

I often wonder why these classic bikes get seemingly random "upgrades". There are multitudes of 1980's Japanese road bikes out there that are better built than those old Raleigh's and are perfect candidates for "upgrading".

It must be about the paint job.

nlerner

Well, the Reynolds 531 tubing has a lot to do with it, I’d say. Here’s my commuter Grand Sports. I’m running a modern Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub and turned the large chainring into a bash guard.

branko_76 

I completely agree but I don't think that less experienced riders would know the difference, I still think it's all about the paint job

mkeller234

These are great bikes, but yes, the paint job is also excellent! Mine has always been a favorite in the pack. I think it may be in part from it being a bit heavier and the relaxed geometry… it’s just really pleasant to ride.

Stronglight crank and bottom bracket was high end stuff. I’d strongly recommend keeping it. It even has a chainring guard to keep your pants leg clean. You can also remove the guard and convert to a triple.

For derailleurs, Suntour! VGT-luxe, VX-GT Cyclone… lots of great options there.

The brake calipers are tried and true. Get some kool stop pads. They are safe to use.

Brake levers, don’t throw them out. Those Carlton levers hold some value to Raleigh collectors. The hoods are indestructible.

Downtube shifters, yeah ditch them. Suntour bar ends are my go-to, even on upright bars.

daka

I think that bike was a great find! The paint and decals are relatively unmolested considering they are nearly 50 years old. I think the Stronglight 93 is a lovely crankset, I'd keep it. The plastic Simplex levers and front derailleur may be a reliability risk since they are prone to cracking but the rear derailleurs work well. I converted my recently acquired Gran Sport to Huret drivetrain, also from the '70s. If you fit Kool Stop pads to the Weinmann brakes, I don't think you will find anything to complain about.





I have a Super Course Mk II that I converted to upright bars. It is similar to your Gran Sport, but with straight gauge 531 instead of double-butted. With a well broken-in B-17, it's about as comfortable as a bike can be when setting out on a ride. After 20 miles or so, the limited hand positions and more weight on the behind make themselves known.

52telecaster

Great bikes, I have a supercourse and a competition and both are upright townies. They do that very well!

raleigh76

Love everything about this. What size fenders and tires are you running? Bar stem rack and basket all work so well together.

bwilli88 

I have 2 Gran(d) Sport(s) one has been through Gugificatizion and the other has been single speeded.

nlerner

Thanks! Tires are 33mm Soma Supple Vitesse. Fenders are SKS.

markk900

I was going to suggest going the nlerner route - have done similar conversions with a great deal of satisfaction. The 531 frames work well with an IGH - a sprightly ride and light weight.

nlerner

FWIW, I have had varied results in terms of handling when converting 70s Raleighs to upright bars. Some felt particularly squirrelly, especially on fast descents. Weight distribution changes considerably when you switch to upright bars, and some examples just seem to feel more balanced and stable with more weight out front as would happen with drop bars.

ascherer 

Welcome to C&V, d2702! Moving up the Raleigh product line, here's my townie'd International with a new Sturmey 8-speed hub. I swapped in Mafacs for the Weinmanns. You could use long reach Tektros, they're very good. Pretty sure I'm using VO Tourist bars with the stem I had on it. Regarding the crankset, the Stronglight is beautiful (IMHO) so you could keep it simple and follow what nlerner did. Type of gearing you choose is a factor - the Sturmey I got requires a pretty small chainring.

52telecaster

That bike is too beautiful.

d2702

Very nice examples of what I'm hoping to do, thanks for sharing the pictures. I'm not too worried about long-distance comfort or high-speed descents, I've got other things I can ride if I want to go far and fast. This would be more about heading down the street.

Based on the feedback so far, I'll stick with the Stronglight BB and crankset and try to get the Weinmann brakes cleaned up (with new pads).

I'll be at my local bike co-op this weekend so I'll rummage through the parts bin, maybe I can find a Suntour VG-T or an early-ish Cyclone.

ascherer 

Cut it out, you're making me blush.

52telecaster

It's only because you're too pale.

branko_76 

The main reason I question some of these "conversions" is that the original parts can work like new if restored, no need to replace them. I'm glad you're considering keeping the crank, BB and brakes. The Weinmann center pull brakes are very good, especially after a complete overhaul (disassembly and lube) and with new pads. I've restored probably a dozen pair over the years, here's one I documented a few years ago....

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-3-brakes.html

steelbikeguy

I took a bit of pleasure seeing your recommendation for the cranks and brakes.
When I bought my Gran Sport from the LBS in the mid 70's, I had a handful of parts that were better than what came with the Gran Sport, and had no interest in the Simplex plastic derailleurs. As such, I worked out a deal with the shop to just buy the frame, Stronglight cranks, and the brakes. I thought it worked out great!
The Stronglight 93 is a lovely crankset, especially if you polish it once in a while.
The Weinmann centerpulls work fine, but might need a bit of lube on the pivots periodically. With modern teflon lined cable housings, they don't require much hand strength (although I think they still require more effort than modern brakes).

Steve in Peoria

ascherer 

"Neon white" as my son describes it. Good band name, dontcha think?

52telecaster

I'm holding out for urban lunchmeat.

52telecaster

I agree on the brakes completely. Those weinmanns in the 610 or 750 are darn good stoppers especially if you go with north road style levers. I get tons of leverage with those.

gugie 

I've got a gaggle of Gran(d) Sport(s). The reason? When I was 15 I wanted one. I grew up on a farm, and worked all summer feeding hay to heifers to save up, but didn't have enough shekels at the end of the summer for a GS, so I setted for a Raleigh Super Course MkII. My townie friend Bob was given a Gran(d) Sport(s) for his birthday that summer.

One definition of a mid-life crisis is buying a bunch of whatever you desired but could not afford back when you were a kid.


My pimped out Cino/Eroica Gran(d) Sport(s). This one had a rare derailleur hanger integrated into the dropout. Fresh powder coat and bottle cage mounts were done before the rebuild.


5 Speed IGH commuter conversion. These frames have "long legs", room for fenders and wide tires. Most of these came without derailleur hangers, so they're a natural for internal gearing.


This one goes to 11. I did a full Gugificazione on it, replaced the rear dropouts with verticals, and went wild with a torch, adding lots of brazed on bits. This is my Grander Sportier (check the decals)


Chrome baby! Kind of a rare model, built this up with a 2 speed kickback hub, vintage Bluemel fenders, upright bars, and Urban Adventure League approved coffee holder.

I have an OEM equipped one as well, and several frames hanging in the Atelier.

Blame Bob.
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

52telecaster

These bikes look even better in person!

d2702

If you can afford it, is it really a mid-life crisis? Sounds more like a mid-life opportunity.