Murray Missile 

I've begun trying to match up my glut of parts with my over abundance of frames. How much of a mismatch would a NOS Shimano 1055 (greyish silver painted) group be on a near mint 1987 Raleigh Technium 480 frameset? I have other options for both but this combo intrigues me. The 105 crank is a double and the RD is a long cage. I'll be running an 8 speed SRAM cassette and NOS Ultegra 8 speed indexed bar end shifters. If I want to use the 105 calipers I'll have to run 27 inch wheels but I'm good with that. My other frame option is a 1986 Schwinn Super Sport that needs a paint job, I got all the decals for it from Velocals before they closed.

This is the swine in question, the only paint damage is at mounting surfaces otherwise it is like new. I don't love the colors but the paint is so nice I can live with them.

1989Pre 

Before you go calling your bikes derogatory names, you might try practicing gratitude. Shimano 105? No. It is not "too good".

squirtdad

Sounds like a fun build to me overall.

27 (as I am sure you know) will really limit your tire selection, so that may be a consideration depending on your use https://www.biketiresdirect.com/search/27in-road-tires

Murray Missile 

Panaracers.

VtwinVince

If that's a swine, I don't know what to call some of my projects.

Velo Mule

27" wheels aren't too bad. Panasport Pasela's are my favorite's for mixed surfaces that I often ride. I also have Continental Gatorbacks that seem pretty good for paved roads and Kenda K35's for my Schwinn Continental, which I will ride in dirt too. As long as you can get tires you like, 27" wheels can be good. If you have the wheels and everything else is working out, I would go with 27" tires. Well of course I would, I have a fleet of bikes with them.

Murray Missile 

It's OK, you should hear what they call me.

Murray Missile 

Don't take the "swine" thing too seriously I only used that because the 400 Series Techniums don't seem to get a lot of love. I probably have more appreciation for it than a lot of other people.

Also, I grew up in hog country and I actually have a lot of respect for them, VERY intelligent animals but also VERY dangerous if you aren't careful. I have to laugh when I hear people saying "You shouldn't eat pigs, they wouldn't eat you." Oh YES they will!!!

delbiker1 

Calling something a pig can be a compliment, like an ultimate survivor. Put some lipstick on that pig, grey being just fine.

Trav1s

I think those hubs will look nice with the pink. I have a set for an old Trek 730 curb find... more of a pig than the flamingo in the original post.

70sSanO

Maybe not your only question. I'm pretty sure the '87 Technium with the 1055 is running with 126mm dropouts, I don't think they were 128mm.

I'm not well versed on the success of spreading a Technium frame. I've heard yes and no. But if you plan on running an 8 speed cassette you'll need figure out how to fit it into the dropouts.

John

Edit added: I think you can run 8 of 9 with 9 speed spacing and 9 speed shifters.

Murray Missile 

The stays are chrome moly but the more I look, the more I'm thinking it's going to be more trouble than it's worth. I don't have any 27 inch wheels laced to an 8 speed cassette hub and no 47-57 reach brakes that would match the rest of the 105 to go 700c. Looks like the Technium goes back to my original plan for it which is 3X7 RSX. That bumps the 105 over to the '86 Schwinn Super Sport which came with 700c wheels. Other than having to repaint it that should be a pretty easy build. I'll probably paint it all red, I'm not a fan of the black stays.

Super Sport

jamesdak 

My response.....





Mine's bottom of the barrel for it's year of build, yet I went for Dura Ace/Ultegra. Go big or go home!

Seriously though, I bet the 105 gear will look sweet on it. I say go for it!

nomadmax 

I won't ride a Technium bike ever again. Here are pics of two of the three that broke on me. One was an unbonding of the downtube at the headtube lug and the other was a catastrophic failure of the the downtube and top tube tube simultaneously (bonding held). That one hurt. These were mountain bikes used on bike patrol but weren't really beat on and were both less than a year old. I'm not saying it will happen to all of them, but it happened to me three times. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to be learned from the 4th kick of a mule.

delbiker1 

I get a chuckle out of this post. I recently acquired a DA 9000 group set, including C24 wheel set, at a great price. I have been debating what bike to put it on. My first thought was my 2001 Lemond Tourmalet that has numerous flaws in the finish, including a couple of visible dents. It already has Ultegra 6600, not making that change. Next up is my Airborne Zeppelin, but I have that set up as a 12 speed 1 X with friction bar end and road brake levers. I like it and not making that change. Next is my Soma Smoothie, already has 11 speed 105 group set on it, might make that change.
The option that is likely going to happen is sell the entire DA 9000 group, maybe keep the wheels. They are the nicest spinning wheels I have ever been on.

Want to add; James, you sure know how to build a bike!

AdventureManCO 

You know me, I’m always game for a good ‘lipstick-on-a-pig’ build. Get to it!

icemilkcoffee 

The 1055 groupset dates back to 1989, so it's roughly period correct. But the 1055 groupset is 7 speed, not 8 speed. The 8 speed version is 1056, which has brifters.
And there is indeed a long reach version of the 1055 brake caliper. It's just really hard to find. You can easily find Tektro brakes with the reach you need though.
The easiest course of action would be to run that 1055 groupset you have, with a 7 speed freewheel on the 27" wheel.

daywood 

Nah. Just paint the head tube lugs and fork black to match. 😀

Murray Missile 

The 1055 RD will handle 8 speed and I'm using Ultegra 8 speed bar end shifters. I have the Tektro R539 calipers but they have a polished finish, plus I want to use all the NOS 1055 together on the same bike. I'll just put the 1055 stuff on my '86 Super Sport. Can't go wrong with red. The RSX 3X7 set going on the Technium has brifters.

daverup 

I've got the RSX 3x7 on my AD, it's been pretty good. Those brifters are easier to clean and lube than some.

curbtender

Rode one of these for a bit and was impressed. I think it had 600 tri color. If I was going to spend time on it, this would be the Schwine...

Murray Missile 

I also have a complete '87 Super Sport in 23" with full 600 Tri Color, the components are in good shape but it needs paint even worse that the '86. In fact I bought it for the 600 to put on the '86 but decided it might be a good idea to have a couple 23 inchers around. The 600 hubs are good but the rims are toast so I'll be lacing new rims to them. This one will get a color change for sure, it may even be a Metallic Pink like Fuji used on the pink and black Team bikes.

tkm

Raleigh sure used some interesting colors on their Techniums. My '88 450 is that teal/green color similar to the fad that GM and Honda used on several of their cars from the late 80's to early 90's. Even has white and pink graphics/lettering. The 80's were great!

I'm using Shimano 600 on mine. Period correct and not too expensive of a groupset for the bike. I'm using the 27" wheelset that came with it because it's pretty nice and there are a few 27" tires that I like. A 700c conversion, on my 450 frame, would have needed really long reach brakes to do so as the stock 47mm-57mm ones barely reach the 27" wheel. I can run a good sized tire though, so I appreciate that aspect.

I've heard of the Technium mountain bikes coming apart but not the road bikes. Anyone experienced this on a road bike? And I wonder if it's age or abuse that's the main culprit. If a mountain bike, I'd say abuse more than likely. Raleigh USA used the same bonding method that Boeing used on their airplanes from what I understand.

1989Pre 

I have never seen a separated lug on a road Technium. Even if I had, I would need to know the complete and true history of the frame, which is almost never a possibility. Even I can not vouch for every second of my Technium, because it has been in bike shops before, away from my tender care. Like you say, "Abuse more than likely". A crash might do it, but a cop throwing his bike down to run after someone is also a scenario with possible, negative consequences.

Lenton58 

I'd definitely go for it. As a 979 owner, I'd be curious about the ride. (I love the Vitus frame.) I would not take any notice of some people calling out the "old glue" caution. De-laminations usually result from oxidation on the aluminum, not the epoxy failing. If the bike has been cared for and waxed, it should be good to go. It's definitely not a piggy. (I like the color). You have some good parts. Personally I'm fond of the old "105". I'd run a tub wheel set to be sure to get the full measure of the ride — but maybe I'm out of date vis a vis clinchers.