Upgrade advice

[grantus]

I have acquired a lovely raleigh steel racer which I fully intend to be my good bike. It's a lovely machine and weighs in at just 9.4kg including spd pedals but there are a couple of things I don't like. The bars are uncomfortable and so are the hoods. Looking for some inspiration to upgrade but keep the bike looking smart. Also looking for a recommendation for decent tan wall tyres. Thanks in advance.

 

[bikesandwatches]

I've got (dark) tan walls panaracers that I like. For the bars, I had some old standard alloy dropbars chopped off and mounted upside down, quite comfy and I can use period correct brake levers (looks much better IRL than in this picture).

 

[grantus]

Re:

That's a nice bike. Re. the bars I'm just not used to old fashioned bars and likewise the hoods which is where I position my hands for 90% of my riding. I think an inch to inch and eight adapter wouldn't look right but don't think I've much option.

Thanks for the response

 

[grantus]

Re:

Maybe try so plush cushioned tape first. Re. tyres are those the Paselas? Just about the only ones I could find online other than vittoria corsa which were silly money

 

[bikesandwatches]

Padded gloves do help also You may also try flat bars, I have a typical MTB bar/stem combo on my modernish road bike.

My tyres are Panaracer Race D evo 3 in 25mm, (more cushy than 23mm, still feel quite fast). I remember paying around 35eur per tyre; good tyres and tubes cost a little, not need to go over that imho for casual use, but it does makes a noticeable difference over low end tyres. Good tyres and wheels on an average frame feel much better than a great frame sitting on low end tyres and wheels...

My wheelset is Mavic MA40 built around Mavic hubs (cartridge bearings): smoooth.

 

[grantus]

Re:

Thanks. Think it is MA40 rims I have as well. Cheers!

 

[grantus]

Re:

105 rear hub and record front. Mavic Aksion tyres on it at the moment but tan walls would look much better