Raliegh Banana

[hamster]

Yes it is a six speed and I was wondering if I could swap the cassette some how

You can't, it will be a screw-on freewheel not a cassette. Furthermore the rear will be 126mm spacing not 130. There are 10 speed freewheels, which doubtless need a 130mm rear - you might be able to modify your hub, but you may run out of axle length. You will be able to spring the frame outwards or (better) re-space it. If you want to run 10 speed you will also need a new chainset as the existing chainrings are too thick.

10S freewheel from eBay and China - no guarantee it will be trouble-free though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39494831...55-0&msclkid=82de12ba719b1a29194474d31b82f6c7
Just beware that the more you want to change, the worse the spiral of modifications, complexity and cost. Personally I would stick with the existing drivetrain.

 

[Canuk]

I would stick with the 12 speed, extra gears and springing the frame just isn't worth the hassle

 

[kendoNaga]

You can't, it will be a screw-on freewheel not a cassette. Furthermore the rear will be 126mm spacing not 130. There are 10 speed freewheels, which doubtless need a 130mm rear - you might be able to modify your hub, but you may run out of axle length. You will be able to spring the frame outwards or (better) re-space it. If you want to run 10 speed you will also need a new chainset as the existing chainrings are too thick.

10S freewheel from eBay and China - no guarantee it will be trouble-free though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39494831...55-0&msclkid=82de12ba719b1a29194474d31b82f6c7
Just beware that the more you want to change, the worse the spiral of modifications, complexity and cost. Personally I would stick with the existing drivetrain.

Thanks so much for the info and yes that eBay listing looks really helpful and of course I need todo more investigation and learn about spacing and other stuff after doing this City and Guilds and some research I find there is still so much to learn. For now im going service it, a new chain and cables and deffo a saddle lol im 51 now so no razors for me and also I just want to potter around on it. So far Im loving the advise and getting back into cycling again. Atb Ken

 

[kendoNaga]

I would stick with the 12 speed, extra gears and springing the frame just isn't worth the hassle

Yes I understand this and agree, Ive also been looking for better upgraded vintage kit and have not decided what im actually doing. I feel its Summer for a service and new chain/cables and then a full stripdown Winter project. All this is great learning and thank you for your input. Atb Ken

 

[hamster]

deffo a saddle lol im 51 now so no razors for me and also I just want to potter around on it.

Saddle width is more related to your pelvis dimensions. A too-fat saddle is as bad as one that's excessively narrow and it's a myth that wider is more comfortable. There is no single saddle that fits everyone, but the Charge Spoon and San Marco Rolls seem to work for more people than most others. People also recommend the Flite, although personally I find it an instrument of torture.

As an aside, the fitter you get then the pedalling pressure lightens the load on the saddle and it gets more comfortable. The only time I got saddle sores was riding 100 miles at the pace of a less-fit rider I was escorting. The low pace made me sit on the bike like a sack of potatoes.

 

[kendoNaga]

Saddle width is more related to your pelvis dimensions. A too-fat saddle is as bad as one that's excessively narrow and it's a myth that wider is more comfortable. There is no single saddle that fits everyone, but the Charge Spoon and San Marco Rolls seem to work for more people than most others. People also recommend the Flite, although personally I find it an instrument of torture.

As an aside, the fitter you get then the pedalling pressure lightens the load on the saddle and it gets more comfortable. The only time I got saddle sores was riding 100 miles at the pace of a less-fit rider I was escorting. The low pace made me sit on the bike like a sack of potatoes.

That's interesting bud, Ill look into this as I have sat on a gel thingy in a bike shop and bought a saddle for touring before but along with three BMX's as I was restoring them also, a Raleigh Royal touring bike and a Specialized mountain bike that all got stolen during lockdown I never got to use it lol The Banana is the first rd bike Ive had since the 90s lol