Raleigh Gemini Trail XC

[widowmaker]

Picked this up a few weeks ago from a fellow Retrobiker. Thanks gtturbo

It's bright isn't it

Plans are to swap saddles for my favourite Charge Spoon, tighten a few bolts. Slap some oil on the chain and then ride and evaluate.

Maybe slightly wider tyres, V brakes but not sure yet. Black bar tape ?

 

[jimo746]

I really like that, not sure how wide a tyre you'd get in there? 700c wheels I assume?
But yep, give it a good ride or two and see what you think.... and post some more photos

 

[widowmaker]

I have given some of the paint a quick clean and it looks like it's going to clean up very well. There is a bit of extra room on the rear so maybe just a bit bigger tyres.

 

[TreaderSteve]

Excellent! Great frame, bulletproof paint and style.

 

[widowmaker]

Need a few opinions on this wee beastie.

Not entirely sure what to do, can't make my mind up Going to use it for some long distance credit card touring.

I'm definitely keeping the paint original that's for sure, and some black bar tape. Any changes will need to reversible. Can't decide if I should keep it standard, change stem for silver cinelli non riser, v brakes. Quite fancy the cables under the tape/aero levers.

 

[TreaderSteve]

Bright 'camo' bar tape. Better, silver cantis like DX. The stem's a lump so something similar, but lighter. For me it'd be done apart from maybe new tyres which'd be a tough choice. Or pass it on - to me
The now wife's example in the she shed started as a bare F&F. It accepted lots of shed-find early 90's XT parts and fitted a rack. It's light, capable and is her favourite. I'd readily have one to replace my Bob Jackson 531ST-framed tourer which is at heart a bit of a lump which is fine for more heavily-laden touring which I don't do, but like you say, travel light with one pannier and the sprightly Gemini's a winner.

 

[Tootyred]

I might swap to something a little further up the food chain on the cantilevers...possibly some wide arm mt60......and new bbb crosstop blocks or something. The old wider arms work better and with new compound blocks your pretty much there.

Saves swapping the levers or going for mini 'v' for the pull.

The other ones been thinking of experimenting with something similar on an old 700c frame...but it the old size issue again!

I would deffo go wider on tyres if you have clearance. Continental urban contacts are apparently very good.

 

[widowmaker]

Bright 'camo' bar tape. Better, silver cantis like DX. The stem's a lump so something similar, but lighter. For me it'd be done apart from maybe new tyres which'd be a tough choice. Or pass it on - to me
The now wife's example in the she shed started as a bare F&F. It accepted lots of shed-find early 90's XT parts and fitted a rack. It's light, capable and is her favourite. I'd readily have one to replace my Bob Jackson 531ST-framed tourer which is at heart a bit of a lump which is fine for more heavily-laden touring which I don't do, but like you say, travel light with one pannier and the sprightly Gemini's a winner.

Has she got a Gemini?

 

[TreaderSteve]

Has she got a Gemini?

Erm, I hope that's not a euphemism, but yes! Same colourscheme - £25 as F&F maybe 12 years ago off ebay. Built it up, tis a really nice frame that she's enjoyed on shortish tours and as a 'Sunday' bike to do a few miles to a country pub. I intermittently remember to search for a big Gemini in my size. There was a turquoise and white one on FB but the seller wouldn't send it. £40 too!

 

[widowmaker]

I wondered if she had a Raleigh Gemini that's all. I haven't seen many around.

Hopefully build up into a nice bike