Raleigh Pursuit Build

Just dug out my raleigh pursuit which is an ongoing project that I plan to finally get finished ready for this summer.

Have been mountian biking/jumping for ages but fancy a singlespeed road orientated bike, so a few newbie questions...

1) how do you make sure the chainline is straight? As presumably once the singlespeed freewheel is screwed onto the hub you can't adjust the position...?

2) As this is probably going to be something not much better than a beater will I be able to get away with running cheap single wall mtb wheels? something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180816555628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3458wt_1344

3) Are there any similarly priced road wheels?

Thanks

1. Bottom bracket length/chainring position on spider/spacers
   
2. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Tru-Build-700c-Wheels-Alloy-Rims-Hubs-Quick-Release-QR-Axle-Screw-/330709694362?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item7dbe0e8208
   

Excellent thanks, pretty sure I need to run 26 inch wheels tho, the frame seems very small for 700c's, shall have a measure up in a minute...

Here's the frame with the maximum wheel radius I can run... Clearance up the seat stays is slightly tighter still, around 340mm maximum.

Is this enough room to run 700c wheels?

Ivegot a Raleigh pursuit, drop 700cs on, loads better. Split down the geared freewheel and space out to correct chain line. Generally about 3/4 out of 5 for the big ring at the front.

The best mod I ever did to mine was fitting a good front brake - besides making it fixed. File out the drive side dropout so you can tension the chain.

Love mine tbh :)

so there's definitely space for 700cs in the frame?

yes

Okay well in that case they may be an addition at a later date if i happen to come across a reasonably priced set, for the time being i've found myself a pair of useable 26" wheels from the back of the shed!

Next question, gearing... In your experience what's a reasonable ballpark gear ratio to run? Obviously taking into account that for the forseeable future i'm going to be on 26's. This doesn't need to be a flying machine, and has to contend with a (semi) hilly commute, as well as my general lack of fitness...

Will be running a 52 tooth sprocket. (not that his has any bearing on the ratio of course)

Thanks again

With 52 front I would go for 18, 19 or 20 rear.

Cheers boss!

I've been using 52-19 on 700c for a short while, i commute and its hilly, its been a great all rounder. I would also like to try and 18t now.

Well I had 52-18 but to me that was a bit to much. So I bought an other chainring and now I'm doing 51-18 which is cool to me.

nutsjesmoar, was that on 700c or 26 inch?

700c

Original(?) "Custom" crankset cleaned up pretty well and shall be re-used :)

Get the grinder out and take that inner ring off!!!!!

I run 52-20, about 70gi, I can get up 16% hills, and I'm not amazing on a bike.

Just check you've got enough width to run 26" wheels, and what you doing about brakes???

I do just have the clearance to run 26's, will probably go 700c when funds for a decent wheelset become available. As a stopgap I've bought some (very) cheap 26 x 1 1/4 tyres which i can run for the time being. So hopefully 18t on the back will work out okay.

Re. Brakes, probably just a front for the time being, I've dug some nice retro looking side pulls out of the parts box, along with some levers, shall post pics at some point.

nice frame

I do just have the clearance to run 26's, will probably go 700c when funds for a decent wheelset become available. As a stopgap I've bought some (very) cheap 26 x 1 1/4 tyres which i can run for the time being. So hopefully 18t on the back will work out okay.

Re. Brakes, probably just a front for the time being, I've dug some nice retro looking side pulls out of the parts box, along with some levers, shall post pics at some point.

If you're running 26" mtb wheels check the tyre sizes first, that sounds like the old style 26" tyres.

okay, just mocked up the bike with a 26 inch wheel from another bike, frankly it looks daft, going to have to just bite the bullet and go for 700c I think. Not sure I wish to get into the business of trying to mix and match obsolete old british tyre sizes with wheels that probably aren't available anymore, I can just see it being a can of worms which i'd rather not open!

Does anybody know off the top of their head roughly what the total diameter of a typical 700c wheel+tyre is? Just so i can be sure they'll fit the frame before i spend money...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330697600019#ht_591wt_1110

Any idea why the description here specifically says these are unsuitably for singlespeed freewheels?

http://passionford.com/forum/restorations-rebuilds-and-projects/381487-project-single-speed-bike.html

Thats the start of my build, took pictures but never got round to updating it :(

What size is your frame? And what size wheels are you running?

you can just see the label on the tires, its 700c.
not too sure on the question re unsuitable for single speed freewheels, different threading maybe?

I'd have thought your frame is fine with 700c wheels, but you may need long drop brakes if it was designed for 27" wheels. I'll measure both my sets including wheels so you can judge for yourself.