Raleigh Randonneur rudderless redo

thanks mate, I will do

If it helps the guy who did mine said it would probably need a support, then he didn't put one in. It hasn't folded... yet
Has been on multiple tours and rocky rides though

Nice project! I've got an earlier Randonneur so am watching what you do with great interest.

RE those top tube cable guides; they're up top on my unmodified frame because there's a pump peg below the top tube. If the cables were down below they'd get in the way. Also, I find it useful having them out of the way for shouldering the bike up steps/over stiles & gates CX style. It's a good thing!

Ive done disc brazing modification and as I have researched, you must have that support, otherwise there is a chance of bending stays - physics! But I can't recall the source. I am sure you can find it on google.

And the routing is slightly odd in my opinion, but it's already brazed... Could have been done in sideways or underneath.

I hope you are going to figure it out

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I've just spent a good 25 mins going through your surly thread. I think the intention behind this project has a fair bit in common with that one. I'm going to go downtube shifters too. If I don't get along with them I'll mount them to gevenalle audax levers when I come into some money (get a job). You had trouble shifting into the small ring and thought the BB length was too long? I was thinking of trying a 112mm spindle. I definitely want to avoid having multiple brand new square taper BBs lying around if I can. Any advice on that? cheers

Thanks. I assumed the cable guides would run down the down tube and along the chain stay. I'm fine with them on top though after the initial 5 seconds of sadness. It's a chuffin cable strapped to a tube after all.

@JonasGeitus
I'm going to message him now and ask about the reasoning for not supporting the stays before I go and pick it up.

Ha yeah, it's been a journey.
I had trouble shifting up front because its kinda cobbled together - I guessed a bb length (I think? Don't really remember), took off the outer ring and just used my old 105 fd. Added a spacer and now can get to the little ring usually. Wish I could offer some advice but "good enough" is enough for me so I've just made do!

loool I sent an email to the guy asking if there was any concern about the strength of the stays and how you almost always see a support with this type of conversion.

He just sent back 'no'

the man is clearly sick of my shit. Will try someone else next time.

@yoshy these kind of projects are all about tinkering so Im just gonna embrace the tinker.

Oof that's not great. I hope he does stick a brace on without any drama, or at least provides some justification of why it's not needed.

@Crunty any update?

Hello mate. I didn't want to update until I had some photos as really these threads seem to be much more interesting as a look-book of progression rather than long winded ramblings and not much action.
I went and picked up the frame and the bloke wasn't there but his apprentice was. I asked him about the disc tab and he said some stuff and I said ok. I don't want to deal with them any more and I'm willing to just ride it and see how I get on.
The frame looks really good. I slid in the unicrown fork and I also put in a Surly LHT fork and I actually prefer how the unicrown one looks.
The problem I have is that I cant find anybody to paint or powdercoat the bike within a drivable distance so I've decided I need to do it myself.
The other problem is that I actually moved in with my dad in December to try and help him. He is a hoarder or something and he had no working toilet, no shower, no heating, no lighting and a hole in the roof that leaks when it rains and his house was jam packed with shite. From December to a few weeks ago I was sleeping on the living room floor in a bivvy bag looool SO this project was a bit of a knee jerk crisis response to keep me busy that really I shouldn't have started.
Anyway my point is that I haven't got any where to paint it right now and nowhere to take photos either so that's why I haven't updated. I could do a rough job outside which I would be ok with but the weather is dump and I think leaving it to dry between coats would result in a less than crappy finish. not sure how to proceed for now. Cheers!

Painting a frame is not running away and as you said it will be easier with better weather. Fingers crossed you and your dad can figure things out. I know it's not an easy topic to deal with.

ah thanks mate. My dad's buzzing now. I've sorted all the problems listed except the hole in the roof. It's me I'm worried about haha no idea what I'm supposed to do now. Anyway yeah I'm going to have to wait for better weather. unless anybody reccomends just going for it? I've thought about simply getting some hammerite from Halfords but I dont think I want to go through the arse ache of chucking on a temporary finish and then have to strip it and do it all again a few months later.

Sorry pal that sounds tough. Thanks for the update anyway, some rambling is ok. I can imagine the unicrown fork looking great. I hope you can still push through with the project and get out riding when spring comes - that's what I'm looking forward to anyway.

I don't have much experience with paint. I was going to say I could maybe sort you out with a space to paint in and leave to dry between coats, but I'm guessing you're still based up north?

oh wow that's very generous and open of you, I appreciate that a lot thank you. Yes I'm in South Yorkshire for the foreseeable future. I will get it done for sure even if its a very agricultural finish. Don't worry if there's one thing I'm going to do this year it's ride my bloody bike! Cheers

This project is back up and running again. I got covid around this time last year and it fucked me up a fair bit. I was okish after 3 or 4 months but was completely unmotivated to ride my bike for the rest of the year. Cycling is definitely back in my life as I want to go on as many trips as I can this year.

None of my initial plans for this bike have changed. I have recently bought a bunch more second hand parts and some cheap new bits and I should just about have everything to make a working bike.

I'm hoping to get the frame powder coated ASAP.

I don't really want to talk so much about parts and thoughts because it just goes on an on. Hopefully will have some quick progress from here and some photos.

Glad to hear it