Raleigh Corsa

[bikeworkshop]

Si.shimano

Almost my favourite place on the web

 

[pigman]

If you're only going to use it as an urban runaround, I'd leave the straight bars rather than change back to drops. And get some proper straight bar brake levers. You should be able to pick up a used pair of levers for less than a fiver

 

[Singhsan]

If you're only going to use it as an urban runaround, I'd leave the straight bars rather than change back to drops. And get some proper straight bar brake levers. You should be able to pick up a used pair of levers for less than a fiver

To be fair I am leaning this way...

Though it would be nice to have an original bike.

I guess once I strip the frame down and cleaned everything I'll have a better idea of the frames true condition, then I can decide how to proceed.

 

[Singhsan]

So I finally got around to stripping down the frame. The only things left to take of are the forks and bottom bracket.

I figured let's weight the thing.

I'm getting 4.5kg as the frame stands now, on a 59cm frame.

Is this good, bad, normal for this type of frame (Reynolds 531) ?

 

[bikeworkshop]

You need to remove the bb, headset and fork to get a frame weight.

Those items alone could vary by half a kilo.

 

[Y282]

These were a nice bike. Be good to see this one turned around.

 

[Singhsan]

You need to remove the bb, headset and fork to get a frame weight.

Those items alone could vary by half a kilo.

Oh really! Damn.

Here's a question, should I clean and reuse this bottom bracket (assuming the parts are in good nick), or do I go for a newer style sealed bearing affair?

Maintenance aside, which has better performance?

For context, I have built up a winner into a single speed, turns out the frame was too small for me (54cm) and I love riding that thing, it's a shame it's so cramped, but also I have a gazelle again too small, I have langster which is 62cm which is too big and I've only just into road bike last year so most of this is new ground for me.

I have a 19inch rock hopper (hence buying small road frame) which is perfect for slamming about on but I have been turned onto road bikes and enjoy them.

So all that to say, I don't really know what I'm doing with road bikes but I know I what to focus on physical comfort (hence the move to 532 from Raleigh's 18-23) and then performance and then form.

Also I've heard, replacing the headset ring bearing with individual bearing balls makes feel premium, does anyone know if there's any truth to this, is it a worth while upgrade or nah?

 

[bikeworkshop]

the headset and bottom bracket Should clean up nicely.

Because they are maintainable, they can easily outlast a sealed unit.

Its worth fitting loose balls if and only if you are replacing the bearings anyway.

 

[Rapparee87]

Be glad you don't have tubulars, that's a whole world of pain!

Some of us enjoy the pain.....

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Thanks Mohawk,

White into maroon sounds cool, I haven't seen that colour way before, I'll keep an eye out.

In your last post you mentioned your friends bike had something called a "Sante", what are that? I'm guessing it's a seat.

"Sante" is a Shimano group set from the 80s. Look here http://www.shimano.com/en/100th/history/products/result.php?id=38