First Project - Raleigh Conversion

So about 3 weeks ago I was given an old Raleigh bike it was already running as a single speed so I thought I would start a project. Since then I have stripped most of the paint from the frame, bars and stem (in need of more stripper for the lugs). I am planning on replacing most of the components, bars, stem, wheels, seat, chain and cranks. I'm a student so I'm on a tight budget. Was given some Shimano callipers and have got a Primo single bolt lever that I'm going to re-use from an old BMX. I've been looking around but does anyone have any recommendations for a good value stem, wheelset and cranks. Im looking for a deep V wheelset preferably. Thanks guys!

1 Attachment

Forgot to mention since then I have also removed the brake cable holders and hangers. I was planning on running brakes but wanted to make the frame as clean as possible so I've drilled the frame to run internal brake routing. Just need to sand and strip the rest of the paint off!

1 Attachment

may i ask what would you like to use that bike for? if it is just for leisure riding i would keep the current parts. but if you would like to ride for performance then i would install a quill stem and drop bars (from our classifieds), spd shoes and bottle cage saddle mount. .keep wheels.

I will be using the bike for my only mode of transport apart from bus' as I can't drive. This means biking to and from the gym everyday which is 2/3 miles, biking to my girlfriend once or twice a week which is a 10 mile ride one way and also just for cardio. The parts on the bike are okay but are very aged and I'd like to upgrade the majority of them for aesthetic and performance reasons. I think the stem will be my first purchase as well as some drop bars. BLB have some drop bars in white for £10 down from £30 which I was thinking of buying and painting black myself to save £20.

If you're on a budget try to use as many of the components that you already have as possible (including the wheels) and then replace those bits you want as funds become available.

If you're set on new bars and a headset go for it as they don't have to be expensive (look on the classifieds as well).

When I built mine I only had the frame so needed to get hold of everything else but if I'd had a donor bike the parts would definitely have come from there.

The plan was to run these current components and upgrade as I go along! More of a steady upgrade rather than a complete build all at once!

One thing you might also consider is covering the white bars entirely in black bar tape (as oppose to painting) but I'm unsure of the cost of tape so that might negate any savings.

I doubt tape would be £20.

Tapes available for £10

Less permanent but no less effective.

I've heard that single speed / fixie conversions are all the rage in London Town and indeed in the shires

Do you have any idea what bottom bracket type of bottom bracket to look for not brand ect. just 'British' or '115mm' ect.?

Why spend money spraying blb bars black when classifieds on here regularly has bars for a fiver that are already black.

Blb rarely equals good value.

I opted for a cheap sealed unit. Mine was British threaded and is a Shimano Un55 68 x 110

Check what was on the bike when you got it but the shimanos are cheap and well made so in reality all you need is to work out the size.

For me I asked around and was told 68mm (which I confirmed by measuring the diameter of the bb cage) and then didn't do any more than guess on the width; I checked and the original cup and cone and saw 110 stamped on it somewhere so went with that. In reality this was just a semi educated guess as I didn't know if 110 would give a correct chain line but decided I had nothing to lose.

I second cheekysnaker. I got a number of parts from the classified adds on here have not been disappointed.

Maybe you could put up a wanted add and see if anyone has got the parts you want/need.