Raleigh Wisp Mixte (updated)

[Spokesmann]

If I can say Im not sure about the tyres, amber walled would have been better - but thats just me!

I would guess that the tyres are probably 27 x 1 1/8 and if so the conti's are about all that is available. I really wish that Michelin would do a batch of world tours in that size as the Conti's really don't look right on 80's bikes. I'm having the same problem with my Raleigh Royal. My 27 x 1 1/8 Michelins have finally ended their life and the 1 1/4 I have put in are really too large, I can't actually inflate them as hard as I would like because they rub on the frame. At that time Raleigh did a lot of their bikes with close tolerances for 27 x 1 1/8, I guess all the other makers did too. My Royal originally had Michelin Club Tourist tyres on but since then I have used nothing but World Tours. Sadly, I have just ordered a pair of Contis for it. My wifes Carlton Courette is even tighter tolerance and the 1 1/4 world tours are unuseable unless I take the mudguards off.

If anyone from Michelin reads this PLEASE do a run of 27 X 1 1/8. There must be 1000's of 80's bikes in desperate need of them!

Think the Wisp looks great by the way but if it was mine I would put the mudguards back on.

Whats wrong with just using some 27" x 1-1/4? :?

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Whats wrong with just using some 27" x 1-1/4? :?

LOL, did you actually read my post?
If you re-read my post you will see what's wrong with 27 x 1-1/4. (For me anyway). I'm very reluctant to go the 700c route as my wheels are only 27 years old and have years left in them yet!

 

[Bronzemedallist]

Mrs Wisp

Hi there im new and this thread is a bit old but maybe someone will help...
Just picked myself up a wisp on ebay - identical to this one pre refurb.
Trying to figure out how to sort it out for my wife to ride - key issue being the drive train. She wont like friction shifters so any ideas on how to move to indexed shifting ? I love the look of those velo orange thumb shifters. Essentially I need the end result to be hassle free for commuting, I have even considered a 3 speed hub wheel but they seem scarce for 126mm dropouts (which i believe the wisp frame will 'flex' to!!? - I haven't got the bike yet but my head is spinning with possibilities.
In the beautiful example above did the orig. wheels need redishing after the addition of a 6 sp freewheel?. or I replace both wheels with 700c (assuming the brakes will stretch the extra 4mm) 126mm 6 speed hub (can you get a 7 speed in a 126 ?) but then i need a compatible (and stylish) thumb shifter for a 6 speed and a rear mech... oh lord the list goes on sorry hope someone can help... ta

 

[ianfoot]

hi - i'll try and answer your questions.

I've put 7sp indexed levers on the downtube using a Shimano band on pair of levers. I really liked the Velo Orange thumbies but I also needed to keep the costs down. Cost won out on this occasion. Depends on what look you're after - Shimano STI's and a mtb short cage rear mech would work together nicely on a flat bar.

The Wisp frame is a 126mm dropout anyway - or at least that's what it measures. I didn't redish the wheel - the 6 speed blocks fits perfectly, and shifts nicely between the cogs.

I looked at the mixte gallery on Flickr a fair bit when getting inspiration.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mixte/pool/

loads of nice bikes on there

 

[Bronzemedallist]

Wisp

thanks for all the help - pictures of the build to follow in the next few weeks.

 

[2wheelgood]

Another Raleigh Wisp

Hey there all... also new to this thread and also in need of some Raliegh Wisp specific advice.

I want to replace the gear system on mine, turning it from a 5 speed to 10 or 12 and replacing everything with new.

What I am wondering is if I will be able to get parts that will be compatible with the wheel, exactly what I need to look for, or if I am going to need to replace the wheel also?

Currently the wheel on the bike is same as one in the original pictures in this thread.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks, Alice

 

[ianfoot]

Hi Alice,

If you keep the existing wheels, then you can get a 5 or 6 gear freewheel to fit right on to the wheel. I used a 6 speed Shimano HG freewheel. You'd then need a new chainset, shifters, front mech and cables to make it all work.

If you go 6 speed, you'll need to replace the original rear mech too.

Cheers,

Ian

 

[2wheelgood]

Thanks Ian, much appreciated,

Need to replace the rear mech anyway so that will be fine... off to look for parts now!

Thanks again